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Car Tech Podcast

July 4, 2009 1:00 PM PDT

Has the U.S. auto industry finally hit bottom? U.S. will get a new small SUV from BMW--and perhaps a new mini Miata. Plus, we take you for a ride in a really nice car that could be so much better.


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SHOW NOTES
The BMW X1 will come to the U.S., slotted beneath the X3 as a utility stablemate to the 1 Series.

The BMW X1 will come to the U.S., slotted beneath the X3 as a utility stablemate to the 1 Series.

(Credit: BMW of North America)

How Toyota's geared CVT works -- see an animation

Fiat's 500 will come to the U.S., but not stablemates

See BMW's new fuel, weather and stocks screen

Diesel cars that have been yanked from production

BMW 7 Series will come in xDrive and M flavored versions

June 25, 2009 8:09 PM PDT

Cash for gas guzzlers becomes law--how many loopholes? The Chevy Volt is taking shape, literally. Is Porsche thinking of something cheaper than a Boxster? Pioneer wants to use WiMax to stream to your car. And we drive the cheapest Land Rover you can buy.


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SHOW NOTES
The Chevy Volt is taking shape -- might they really deliver this thing on time?

The Chevy Volt is taking shape--might GM really deliver this thing on time?

(Credit: General Motors)

Cash for Gas Guzzlers signed into law

Audi will evangelize diesel all summer

Chevy Volt prototype seems to be shaping up

Pioneer sees WiMax streaming your home to your car

First true GPS nav app for the iPhone?

June 20, 2009 7:42 AM PDT

A new car company in Louisiana, the latest on the Cash for Clunkers law, a car gadget that will prove you're an idiot, and a ride in a little hot rod we don't really like.


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SHOW NOTES
A black box in your car--brilliant, or damning?

A black box in your car--brilliant, or damning?

(Credit: KCI Communications)

Cash for Clunkers: What you need to know

New car company starts up in Louisiana

3D maps and more impress us in the Eclipse AVN726e

Homer Simpson can be the voice of your TomTom

Put a video "black box" in your car?

June 13, 2009 12:33 AM PDT

Did Saab just become a high tech supercar? BMW rewrites the rules for voice command, thankfully. Airbags in places you wouldn't believe. And a ride in a big, comfy, annoying Mercedes!


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SHOW NOTES
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-10263120-48.html

Mercedes ESF 2009 safety car has airbags in goofy places and people in foil suits loving it.

(Credit: Mercedes-Benz)

Mercedes ESF 2009 safety car

iPhone will finally get real turn-by-turn navigation

BMW to dramatically ease voice command in cars

GM opens up major new battery plant

Kenwood DNX6140 nav head unit

June 6, 2009 1:36 PM PDT

Hummer and Saturn get new parents, new mini cars are coming to the U.S., we learn what consumers really want in car tech, and we roll in a new hybrid sedan we really like.


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Show notes
Hummer goes to the Chinese, Saturn to Roger Penske.  It's a whole new day.

Hummer goes to the Chinese, Saturn to Roger Penske. It's a whole new day.

(Credit: Hummer, Saturn)

Fiat 500 coming Chrysler stores

Hummer sold, Humvee is not!

Saturn sold to Roger Penske

Mitsubishi i-MIEV electric car goes on sale soon

Belkin FM transmitter uses GPS to find open frequencies

May 30, 2009 12:12 PM PDT

A ride in Lexus first "luxury economy car," GPS maps that don't look like maps, you won't believe what Audi has in mind for the R8, and GM gets bundled up for a swift reorganization to the tune of $30 billion!


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SHOW NOTES
Lexus HS 250h is heralded (by them) as a "luxury economy" car.  How very our times!

Lexus HS 250h is heralded (by them) as a "luxury economy" car. How very our times!

(Credit: Lexus)

Lexus HS 250h first impressions

TeleAtlas starts offering photorealistic GPS nav imagery

VW dealers will sell Garmin GPS nav devices

Audi R8 convertible, EV on the way?

Tesla does a recall, makes housecalls

May 23, 2009 12:15 PM PDT

Obama talks GM, but leaves out the "B" word. Hydrogen is back this week; will it stay? And the new version of Microsoft SYNC is out; we'll tell you what it does and if your Ford can get it. Plus, a ride in a hotted-up Lexus.


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SHOW NOTES
The Lexus IS 350, hotted up with toys from the Lexus F catalog.  Meow!

The Lexus IS 350, hotted up with toys from the Lexus F catalog. Meow!

(Credit: CNET.com)

CNET Video: Cooley drives the Lexus IS350

Hydrogen Road Tour 2009

Check here to upgrade SYNC in your FoMoCo vehicle

Antuan gets a first look at the Lexus IS C ragtop

HCCI engines explained

May 16, 2009 10:16 PM PDT

An electric Ford is coming, but at what price? Two tricks that will make an Audi use less gas. We also tell you what 12 percent of new cars will have next year. Plus, ride in a car with the wrong name on the badge!


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SHOW NOTES
Better Place automatic battery changing station in Yokohama, Japan.

Better Place automatic battery changing station in Yokohama, Japan.

(Credit: Better Place)

CNET drives the Audi A6 3.0T Sedan

Ford admits electric Focus will have limited appeal

Watch automatic battery changing station in action

OnStar uses Microsoft Virtual Earth to find where you crashed

Comparison: Gas engine vs. Diesel (from TruckTrend.com)

May 9, 2009 12:41 PM PDT

Did hydrogen cars just blow up? GM's closer to unloading Saturn, but also to keeping part of it. One less GPS nav brand to contend with. And, we get a lot of stares in this week's test car.


Listen now: Download today's podcast


SHOW NOTES
The Nissan Cube.  "Mobile Device"?  Really?

The Nissan Cube. "Mobile Device"? Really?

(Credit: Nissan USA)

First look at the Nissan Cube

Yet another EV comes out of the woodwork

Will the 370Z go hybrid?

Fisker Karma now has batteries

Toshiba ruggedized auto grade hard drives

May 2, 2009 12:40 PM PDT

The big week comes for Chrysler: bankruptcy and a shotgun marriage to Fiat, how you might get 80 mpg out of your current hybrid, and are four-cylinder engines on the way back for Mercedes and BMW?


Listen now: Download today's podcast


SHOW NOTES
The PAL-V flying car.  How stupid.

The PAL-V flying car. How stupid.

(Credit: PAL-V)

BMW 650i convertible review and video

81 mpg Ford Fusion Hybrid--You can, too!

Scosche SolChat solar Bluetooth speakerphone

Cobtra BT-200: Bluetooth for the wet and muddy

Some heavy duty hybrid trucks

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About Car Tech Podcast

Every Friday, car nut and tech aficionado Brian Cooley runs down the latest news in the ever-evolving integration between cars and technology. Meanwhile, Wayne Cunningham and Antuan Goodwin drive the newest car in the CNET barn, going over its cabin tech with a fine-toothed comb, checking out off-the-line acceleration, and trying not to crash.

Send us e-mail at cartech@cnet.com.


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Brian Cooley Brian Cooley has a fleet of late '60s cars so he's well aware that great motoring exists happily in the absence of silicon--car technology only impresses him when it's great. See profile
Wayne Cunningham Wayne Cunningham On the cutting edge of tech coverage, Wayne began his journalism career writing about the Web in 1995. Although he has covered many areas of technology, he considers the Car Tech beat the best yet. See profile
Antuan Goodwin Antuan Goodwin gained most of his automotive knowledge the old fashioned way, by turning wrenches in a driveway. From drivetrain tech and performance to car audio installs and cabin tech, if it's on wheels, Antuan is knowledgeable.
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