(Ford)
AAA names its safety, efficiency favorites
Every two years, AAA offers its pick of innovative technologies designed to improve safety, increase performance and reduce the environmental impact of new vehicles. Among its choices:
Engine shutoff. A start-stop engine that shuts off when the car stops and instantly restarts when the driver takes his or her foot off the brake pedal. The feature is common on U.S. gas-electric hybrids and is being introduced in non-hybrids with Mazda's I-stop feature.
Stability control. The 2011 Ford Explorer (pictured) has enhanced stability control and rollover protection that actually reduces throttle and, if necessary, applies the brakes when a driver enters a curve too fast.
Safer seat belts. Ford and Mercedes-Benz offer rear seat belts that inflate in a crash, spreading the force of impact over a larger area of the body and reducing injury risk.
-- The Associated Press
Car makers tune out cassette decks in '11
For all of you who were planning to pack up your oldies tapes and go shopping for a 2011 car, there is bad news: You're too late. According to experts who monitor the automotive market, the last new car to be factory-equipped with a cassette deck in the dashboard was a 2010 Lexus. The CD remains the ubiquitous audio source in new cars.
-- The Associated Press
Leave a comment