Car Tech Live 245: Driving kick in the VTEC on the 2012 Honda Civic Si

-- take something out of your car and you're not gonna like it. Nor -- the EV makers like what Morgan Stanley has to say about their business this week. And Android finally starting to invade the dash after many requests. Tell folks its car tech live this is episode number 245 or December 15 Brian Cooley with -- Wayne Cunningham. And one good one. And Mitchell -- at the controls. Well if you hadn't heard the news this has been the beginning of the end it for phones in cars at least at the NTSB. Has anything to say about it. That's a natural histories and safety board the folks who normally investigate plane crashes and in their opinion. A phone in the car is basically a plane crash waiting to happen may say no phone calls no text saying no email nothing should be allowed in the car at least by the driver. The bombshell guys yet not even hands free. Right that's the -- -- -- any kind of talking on a phone. He is distracting. Which it is to some extent. Finally -- and -- this whole playing -- -- you know frankly there there try to tell us states to. Enact laws as they know ponies in cars first stop. It's not enforceable. And -- silly due to people -- -- that are not and forceful performance of his driving along talk on their hands free. Cell phone. You know. How would you know that I'm not -- crazy -- -- -- sourcing and along with the music which should be ideas band to demand that the affluent and currency passengers' rights and talk to them you can't get into -- -- And what about that'll radio you know that's now an HD radio there's an all kinds of meta tags over that are really kind of rich you'll be staring at that was -- about one of these studies where they said that any type of conversation anytime you're listening to somebody talking while you're driving is a distraction. And so talk radio. -- passenger in the in the passenger seat and it isn't the only thing the mitigates a pat talking to passengers the passengers also. Looking at the surroundings and it's a -- -- a -- -- about to hit. Yet they have a sort of sympathetic -- awareness with you yet but this also -- Brady kids if you're gonna follow -- logic. -- in their yell and scream and you know they now -- of the minivans -- convex mirrors. You can watch in the backseat I had a conversation Mayer's summer stationary that's right and they have that that's not -- That's say hey you should be talking to people on the back and looking at them to rule. While looking up at the headliner are -- -- new teachers it took in on the -- are. Choking each other again you know which is normally the case well. At at -- The only way that make it -- -- be built like parity heat in every car that Epoch and would like a clear plastic. Like global cab drivers had been -- rough neighborhood problem. So -- you can't act you actually talked to anyone else in the vehicle or interact is anything that's not a steering wheel. -- -- this is why we need economist -- -- they're gonna take all the fun driving not just handling the car on the road. But also -- talking or even handling your radio or anything else with a maverick those are already locked out -- cars. A that's another issue is if this were to become the law and again this is a long shot but the -- organization it's a major government agency they start to get DO TN. And it's up in the HT SA while Ray -- that there's a role he's right in agreement with -- -- -- says the alcohol swimming. And then of course that he tested fifty states is -- mentions -- there is no federal statute or level of law that covers this thing. On this has to be done state by state that regulates its own motor way as. I guess the other thing is that there was a technology this -- -- also came out from Rutgers and Stevens institute. That goes to this exact problem. -- -- a diagram of it up here where there would be -- using the Bluetooth connection on the phone. An -- running on the phone and yes the big question is isn't it conceivable it listens to sub audible signals the being put up by the car stereo to do delayed telemetry. And figure out if the car is in -- -- the phone being used is in the driver's seat by the delay from each of the four speakers. And -- so the app again is that it's -- Would block the phone from doing text email and calls. So this in or near production course content matters this law. It's critical stuff that they can do this and you know it makes sense -- -- good work this out. But it's also. Faces a one problem to me is you -- figure compared to the car for port yup as the sentencing of the speakers and yet you know -- -- phone of the car. This is another whole thing about it you know if the -- prevents auto makers from installing Bluetooth -- systems in cars. Because that -- they could probably do -- up. I then more people -- just going to be holding the phone on their hands as they drive along that I can squeeze the -- one place you know beer goes somewhere else and what about all the people in the car that are going DB using the phone that are driving. That this technology from Stevens and -- doesn't get adopted its no where near even production it is seem like it's particularly accurate. It is -- equities at least -- to do you acoustics bouncing around never that precise yeah I mean the inside of cars marketed to an acoustic -- for music. Many -- about precise echo location within a -- and like all sorts of late. Plastic surfaces in glass surface is then headliner and people's bodies -- of different sizes yeah and cushy on the solar words bulletins and other potential. I'm not gonna throw it off and what a Democrat the idea systems in Atlanta. Pastor of the -- system and connect with anything. Yeah yeah it'll it'll say that it inevitably eat has a phony zip code -- -- -- and figure out except that I thank. Well now maybe it's in Romania. Us so this there's technology here there's policy there is acceptance no one's gonna go along with a ban on phones in cars for a non drivers no one wants that they go all the people -- -- at stake your -- look at this and say. Wait -- minute we want our phones to be used to that's how we -- over ridges and up -- you want to go over your text your minutes and your data they don't say it publicly but of course that's great for them. They want you to use your phone more every month. So for them to have an entire. We think about what the average driver in this country is driving alone most of their time. This would cut a huge amount of the automotive market out there's not a lot of passengers out their left statistically to take advantage of a passenger only system you've begun -- I would think 50% of the driver. Road hours of potential cellphone -- that's a huge amount of traffic for the carriers who hope to make more and more money off that by having incremental services that you're using not -- free buckets of minutes but she prepaid four. So they don't like the idea of less usage of the device they -- to be able to grow more services and -- to more usage so as one huge lobby. Yet -- -- in the -- their comments on -- The with these initial stories coming out the phone companies haven't come up and said anything no public statements I've seen as having an on -- wallets yet. And -- to the -- -- only want to. Have a deal and you laws in this regard so this. Maybe those two lobbies is enough to say that there's nothing is ever going to happen carmakers have -- they've they've got some deep pockets so eyewitnesses that this is just the first round what is -- mentions the DOT's. Cranky old man Ray LaHood. It's Arctic. Hates it. The fact that he was -- -- videos shut down our reviews I think you just -- Don't do that just review the upholstery yet except some kind of distracting and always gonna be some -- and -- -- and those who register as bad drivers to generally you know you -- -- -- -- and some bad drivers on the -- -- and next they're gonna be -- it -- on the -- And -- accident and don't forget it and other accidents. It is -- -- flu. -- -- -- And they -- -- blinders on the side windows are actually go from banding. Deep tint on site windows two requiring that at -- he can't look out and see anything except directly ahead. Of the vehicle slowed keep the hot chick in the periphery of your windshield and then regular index is -- tunnels over all the roads so there's nothing to see. An autonomous cars except that they're gonna eventually finalists and two autonomous car guys followed up Prius. Google Prius when he -- cars -- down the freeway the other day I was actually in the pre is be accurate at this. I edit the adaptive cruise control going so I was following it semi economies economist. Love that -- -- following the similar to that extent or vice Versa. And that Google car was what kind of car there is a Prius -- -- and state and its claim pretty well as watch and -- attracted critical. That at. That's pretty that's at the reviewer talked about last week and Italy before that remarkably stable although I think -- at. Seems to not rest on its door handles much in turn means. All right so that's the big story going on -- we're gonna be on top of this one of course is -- evolves as a lot more to be said about it and coming this time of the year there will be legislative movement on this at the end of the year if ever. But it's a very interesting. Examination of the tone in regulatory Washington right now. Let's take a look out a very different category of tech news in the carb is issue which is electric cars electrified cars plug ins full TVs. There was a big and rather want to report from Morgan Stanley of course for influential. Banking and analysis house saying they are just taking down their targets on EV acceptance around the world for several reasons and we have a chart here if you want to look at here in our video stream. And it says the dotted line is what they thought the adoption rate of TVs was going to be used globally to up outposts up 15% of the market by 225. Now they brought it down to the Blue Line which looks at about 7% of the market between 25 they have house. The number dvds the penetration in the market that they think is gonna be out there for many years and the main reason is. Gas and diesels -- distilled so well you can get a lot of cars now there in the mid thirties high thirty's low forties oddities on highway. That are just. Four cylinder gas engine inexpensive and it's sell well in an economy that's bad in Europe that's in a very bad economy. And to consumers who don't wanna think about a new way to driver's -- to go to the same old gas station com. This is pretty stark. I'm surprised the Morgan Stanley didn't realize that there'd be improvements in combustion and internal combustion engines before yeah yeah when they started making these predictions and you know in the first place. Up -- with the whole electric thing you know I -- and they got that -- mention that at Nissan -- sales are sort of plot telling. And glowing excellence and there's always a certain aspect of -- -- -- pulling you vehicle like that -- niche vehicle where everybody that's really use your report will get it. And that's a limited. Amount of people. But do you really think. A lot of people whenever a -- means off are gonna buy an electric car anytime soon mean charging times have not moved much since the ED one. It's still overnight to charger electric car dvd what was the same weight and I'm sure the ranges longer -- hybrids or only way. 2% a little trick mania that -- you know there are yet only a small percentage of the market and so electric Ireland going to be any more than that right so I think this is the of the reality check here and -- is saying and think these guys are saying it Morgan that you know electric cars are a bad idea that they go to zero hours. But it does change the the projections and the main hit that was in this and numbering up was they downgraded the shares of Tesla from overweight which is there way of saying. At all. A large proportion of them compared to other stocks in your portfolio to underweight saying you should have a -- of Tesla and other stocks -- roughly. And in a portfolio and they cut the price target almost in half this -- -- -- is gonna go to seventy bucks a share in -- -- 44 while. So there really -- -- targeting test and of course Tesla is. Easy to beat up on because that's all they do -- electric cars if you're not -- TVs are easily beat up. There's a Beatles and Apple and their portfolio you can look at shabby is it probable in -- -- -- the Carswell. So -- I'd be curious and this is not something that we have -- -- on. The couple negatives there we've heard from you a lot about the stick it's what's your opinion of an electric car who would -- -- -- price point range. Or some other factor features. -- I mean there could be in the future there could be a breakthrough in battery technology yup they're could also be. You know a crisis in oil supplies. Up ten dollar ten dollar gas would certainly change -- Nina -- so there's a lot of factors that could change. The way things look but the way things look right now they're saying -- electric cars niche player. As just -- -- -- that Tesla stock price to -- -- 830 to announce that it's down obviously. -- down since that reportedly went down 9% that -- -- so obvious is the kind of thing where. This'll spook investors -- are necessary to invest in electric car battery technology companies car companies. Infrastructure charging companies this kind of thing could have a real cooling effect now the Ford Focus is been detailed over it at CNET this week. We got some more details on its when -- MP GE. -- hundred. Nice number. And the bolts is what for MPG -- in this it's like seventy something that's I have believes it's it's got that weird thing where it changes that -- two numbers Ford quality is pretty high. Chevy Volt gets let's see here -- doubled its. It's gonna be in the same -- Ford says they are Z 984 MP GE electric in thirty -- and in charge sustaining mode. Okay -- and that's the thing with a focus isn't apples to oranges because it doesn't charge sustaining mode not being a range Extenders -- Complicated comparison for consumer and then deletes a city in 99 in PCs now -- -- the focus is coming in app market level one by one yet meaningless. -- -- -- -- -- -- But maybe it's important because they beat the Camaro by one when they brought out the new V6 -- year -- but it 300 to four horsepower and three. That'll work and I'll also -- you're watching a video version to see that Ford -- added to its design language a Mohawk on the -- oh wait assistant card. At. But it was a new assembly and the brightness and -- but with the -- the new Ford Mohawk hood ornaments I liked that design -- -- you know what's nice is it. Cuts the cuts through the air nicely makes a -- for craps out when you're driving. And -- comments he possessed the ability to it that's the vertical -- -- from drifting with the new lane departure tech that the writer. Keeps it from -- if it. So -- in all seriousness of the all electric focus hundred miles per gallon arm similar numbers to other cars as -- -- -- and lot of EVs the range of 85 to a hundred. Which is kind of what we've seen in the other cars that are pure electric like the leaf. Same overnight charge for won ten actually they're saying they can charge a lot -- they have a more robust onboard charger the six point six kilowatt charger yet and this is out more robust -- in the -- so -- actually boasting a gas. But is it to a three hour charge time on a 240 outlet in yet so I guess you double that for 110. Two -- isn't that you -- 67 hours that is actually -- substantially better. And this is going to be available middle of next year rights. Mature than actual because they're taking a very a very -- specific. Here it is here very specific pre order site is already up in fact it also has pricing. So they can't be too far away if you build and price assist our audience here it'll make your eyes water read the total. In all it's cracked the code on a cheap TV yet but of course they trumpet the 7500 dollar federal tax credit write it up in the upper right is your gonna need that when you get up off the floor. After you price this guy 39 -- -- base for our focus and that's that's the hard part to stomach -- take off 7500 now you're down to the low thirties but low thirties for a focus. We get this -- ever -- spoke of -- that I. At NASA's focus ever of the lord our editors and it's got it's got the stabilized at -- 2000. -- of the Sony audio sync. Now have my Ford touch. Leather as an option -- do it's it's a loaded focus it's like the I would of the called the platinum. Trim level right have now titanium -- platinum titanium but in order precious metals or exit through my -- metal air. So it's but but still the pricing is gonna make a lot of folks say for a focus because the same -- -- different market than a Tesla. You can charge -- -- -- -- that audience is a different class they'll say yeah whatever seventy -- 150 Brandon I'm into it as a statement as much as transportation. That's and then like I need to -- Nissan kind of avoid that by not sharing a brand with a mania and the marquee are nameplate with anything else so you can't look at belief. On the website and go like the same says the Ursa. You know it beat you don't really have that sort of mental connection it's like it's the least it's something new at a cost what it costs yet it is what it is you know the focus. By sharing the focus name. -- be if it's a little bit more interest in there. I think it's a big challenge for them for people are gonna especially at that market you've got a lot of folks are not car savvy. Yet in its electric that's that that interest them but they're just gonna say I don't get it it's it's got batteries -- of 39000. -- and I can realize the engineering hurdles that go into a vehicle like this and be willing to end I think be less willing to buy into a car that is an environmental statement. Because that's on the that -- -- a lot of money to Apple to back afford that luxury. And then it looks like -- focus. Yes and I didn't like you can't display glimpse alone having to Los Alamos new electric cars like the -- easier parked in -- with their -- in my news. Huge negative focus -- flat earth. When you think it and go -- a hybrid that. Urgent you know because it got -- great how hybrid technology we'd like to their other cars and they just -- and it just like well you know that the fusion hybrid is. Mean in new way it -- Hollywood -- much to the focus isn't much smaller in the fusion. Earthlink quietly don't bother me -- -- -- my very dramatic mysteries of the fusion and also. At the gas I think it's the SC Macs are gonna release as a hybrid. In the future which is sort of us yeah I mean spirited and viewed at the focus obviously but it sort of a mighty yes the gonna have that -- the Smart electric also so they're going to be able to pull that in from both power trains are gonna go into that. If the C Max city -- something's gonna be all all -- -- And the hybrid to look come meet their power trains in that one model and nowhere else that we know -- they did do a very different face on the electric focus I guess that's the only giveaway that. Mostly Aston Martin's doesn't the -- of this at the Aston Martin's -- it yet looks as like. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- And want to on the gas engine and the need -- that much of a real. Now under any growth Leo and -- -- -- that it's some -- him. Not a huge for cooling the batteries at the bigger growth on the gas -- -- put a -- like art just looks funny -- to humans and mice via. -- that looks funny. Okay so that's what's happening with the Ford Focus CV a hundred now com if you wanted to get another take on this -- -- go look at what's of the opinion ExxonMobil. Oil company. We need Salem and -- one guessing that there but no. -- -- on a pro hybrid. I don't -- -- -- pro hybrid they released a study accepting I've. It's barely acknowledged they exist let that lets put it that way I Exxon -- just released a study their annual outlook they call it. No religion that -- -- and it to them they said data went -- half of all vehicles will be hybrids by 2040. 2040 -- -- thirty years out yes some type public education I don't think is too far off of what. Auto makers to produce a predicting as well -- if you go that far out yet no matter how many animators are. Designing electric cars or whatever they're not expecting that to be huge part of their sales so is this Exxon kind of surprising us by -- Oil burning company is all for saving fuel all -- as a company that is saying yeah -- go get a hybrid don't get a TV we hate that it's a and please keep -- -- It's -- a two step I releasing the suit is. I'm just an analysis and it's not they're not pushing hybrids are just saying. This is an oil company they've always got images this is the reality announces an organ -- states. Some evil -- sitting at a needle in a suite somewhere in New York city's -- at least use the public but they still have there of another 2000 miles gasoline engine -- stored away somewhere in their right number that range -- -- runs on water is right to get -- water under the parent in the air hybrid. Its error in corn oil hybrid -- although there are locked in vaults all the free energy to acknowledge the man had -- that they can make -- level of the few hybrids sites. All with the greatest conspiracy theories in the world -- -- okay I'll quickly on hybrids -- is about to bought their first hybrid power -- -- -- in the US apparently. It is the first car that has will. The ILX. Right this is a civic -- -- -- -- Detroit this is civic based accurate and -- I don't know why a accurate means to release a smaller. -- premium car. When they just kill their smaller Sadiq these premium -- couple years ago in the drop the but yet they did did the technical and hybrid with it sports car. And you'll it'll tread left on -- -- -- you know they'll actually have a couple of different engine options understand. I and I just -- descendants of the small compact car and mature. It will have the sporting elements of the of the Essex and this is though I guess this is there their teaser -- -- looking at now which. It's -- -- is that it's peeking out of the dark it's got a grill got a grills like to start little different -- different faced an aftermath would get that huge jaw palate is different from the of the -- Essex was still in Canada. It's basically acidic and accurate on the front and a myopia. My -- -- and down from the North Korea and this of course I think is gonna compete with the Lexus CT which we have in right now kind of a new lower compact model. Hybrid -- of course the CDs only hybrid. -- can be. You know the Lexus has the tests as well two years and -- -- more as a competitor to that -- and as I head to head David announced discontinuation and that these settlements. It's like they're Lewis filling model ever imagine and think being whistle a couple thousand. If every year for an a couple of years in feeling this is a great -- to use of that the office party -- what sold less. The HS 250 H where the LS 600 HL. And I have to address -- stinky selling hybrid excite of one of them the billion dollars it. Annoying calls and says -- yeah a lot for a Prius. Of totally low level symptoms of these guys at Detroit and new NSX is in the works this could be vertical market. At -- -- Start with a -- side of the equation that will would. They're gonna do. Is -- -- -- that the rumors inspects the earth and have -- leaked out is that it's basically gonna be based on the the new SH AWD hybrid system that they're developing for the TL. I was -- at three point some -- leader gasoline engine that makes -- 300 horsepower paired. With they have forty horsepower electric engine for that mean hybrid power train and then on the rear axle you've got to a thirty horsepower. Electric engines -- -- court victory. Here's the problem -- that. The MS access -- to be mid engine rear wheel drive. Though where you put in that engine if you've already -- two electric engines on the rear axle. -- in the rear axle and then you've got that engineer you wouldn't -- all mid career yet so -- -- a transverse style engine that I mean Honda her actor always does that is a transverse mounted engine -- lengthwise which. Makes -- more likely some need to put him it ships but then you'd wanna have a long shaft running after on the front wheels yeah yeah I mean. How I would do it is I would just longitudinal knotted on the rear axle and input of electric engines on the front -- that -- you get 340. Horsepower to the rear wheels. Maximum -- on the power it -- you need it yet when you need it but for the most part is still mid engine rear wheel drive. I'd have no clue they're gonna do -- -- I'm thinking that it's probably gonna be ridiculously expensive. And the first thing that's gonna happen when they announced price if they ever build it. Is. Someone's gonna you -- -- used by GTR. -- repeat -- by this. Class of car for its efficiency you buy it through the performance. Hence the torque of electric motors for greater responsiveness and -- -- without. Running share aspect import their on the car but if they departing -- back and forth around the car they ruined that the purpose. Thanks again personally I would like if they wrote -- -- -- public -- more efficient. And lightweight it missed its all the hybrid batteries electric engine -- -- basically. Matched the 22 -- power to weight ratio but not light Clark -- -- yeah X that's what. Honda is good that's what they do well that's what they've always been well it's like hey we can really. Nice little -- card to an adult and a power but it doesn't we allied that's what they did well. This is due out. The problem is -- they're doing it -- that the union of the court -- massive massive lake are real sized vehicle. But I mean when when they were making cars that people cared about. They were all lights low power but fund drive. You know the passion for Honda -- went out it's very interest and there's not one -- there are two people are passionate about in their line anymore. Civic accord. None of their crossovers mean light to light yes cult -- some ways opened. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- But it's light. Try to put your hands on you know. I'd like a very reader discussion last -- as I was driving around in the syndicate -- -- -- in the passenger -- results it was specific silence over I was. You know it seems to me like -- trying to beat Leona but -- about the couple years behind -- so it's like. And into way to both -- really small -- cars and into enemy big cars and a couple years later underwent -- Seems like twins make it all with -- -- cars we should get into this. Higher content -- higher margin yet but now it seems like latest. Starting to shift back towards me we should make -- too -- cars very you know a couple of -- -- can follow. Yeah out of the following I don't think we'll be seeing that firm and a half a decade -- -- that's the realizes that -- -- people are buying the you know if people start buying this fan. FR am sorry if -- to the -- to. You know. Now that people are thinking about bringing -- back in the Lexus -- is -- -- Funding and -- wants this in -- -- to be an Allah they fighter and I'm thinking they don't realize that nobody by in the development. Yeah titles almost three 300000 dollars of people did -- the NSX. And they did was I when it was that not me with pretty expensive back -- seventies and eighties for it yet you know it was like. Huge if it wasn't crazy money the time it was. I would've still been more than 9/11 in those days Sutherland we have a pretty good clue what's this NSX -- will look like in this blog post if you scroll down is actually a photo from. The new avengers film. Tony Stark's -- -- this is Tony -- scar in the movie. And actors had sort of a partnership with all of -- -- movie franchise. And as it was so we got a photo here I've taken from the at least -- still like yes and it's a look here into the convertible version. And Acura badge on front and this looks like this must speed -- and I'm sure it -- -- we'll see in Detroit. The -- Yet even when -- hot. Pretty damn I think that could be pretty cool. It's very McLaren looking. Yeah I mean you know a lot depends of course on on what's that drive train's gonna be liked. There's not much of a grill in France I am assuming -- his -- -- -- at mid mid mounted that power train. Or it's just a roller well yeah could be although that this is bragging. Was being. Carpenters and literally just auditory and increased in the they gotta keep it from some to your house -- stalking actor Eddie Lori from -- -- -- until it's. Exactly the body kids. So it went into any start decide on -- -- Audi and an injunction rather than -- -- but -- -- have to tie -- would marvel now -- world herald or. Everywhere ruled that connects your argued that any we're here to -- -- board the waitress argued. That. Except the -- remained at their leader of the the that that opposing forces and grows yaks. Credible part I guess the days out beacon in the mobile suit and -- -- -- an Indian Wells. -- money will change everything. Let's say it's -- -- Android in cars we hear a lot of of people asking us on our roads and -- show YA. -- Android in the car it's only in the car owner bring my phone in. -- -- which unfortunately -- -- in the US in this case but nonetheless they announced at the Le web conference. Because it was in the last week. That they now have an in car tablets. It offers -- -- and other apps inaccurate and App Store I believe called the now it's a detachable tablet as I understand that a seven inch. And it also has a little App Store to be going -- -- starting off of fifty apps that are approving curator for in car use. This is very cool because I think what they are doing here. Is really divorcing the whole entertainment system from the car yeah there it is definitely get them yeah this is and I -- tablet. And yes so so it it's far easier for their manufacturer production lines conveyed. At this electronic tablet built somewhere else to their specifications. Yet and it's totally totally malleable as as a scars of alters the main screen to what's your video version all the usual stuff -- media phone. Vehicle services services could be distinct. And a system settings this dig down and see what's under the services if we Kansas as a -- services might be this one. Bomb in -- media actually with a in the usual stuff -- into a dramatic there I don't see any indication of what streaming services it offers not in the screen shots anyway. But again this is -- this is on -- Which is -- it's it's it's very anti system this is -- a lot of our listeners have been saying why can't his duties -- it is boring my head unit with me when you notice and if you do. Right but I mean like in the -- my. Existing tablet become head unit but -- -- at the cars are actually introducing the -- in -- the Zoe which is actually is an electric car they're gonna -- in -- And the and you Cleo which is a pretty mass selling small car. So that's not bad move it down market mean it's a -- -- on the tail end of you know. The -- in that we software very brief -- -- a time where people started. To slap in TomTom on the top of their sport -- he got a nav option rate writers and artists. I now is only going carmakers do that -- -- that. Does. -- geeky Suzuki Suzuki and then. Fiat. That that -- hundred -- TomTom snack on as a couple Chrysler's -- buried in the option. -- -- who don't do that and -- -- on hold until a future show I can't wait to two who rail on the CT 200 x.s. IPhone -- And -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Car -- like car tech live -- focused on the road now this Wii title foreshadowed this and are discussed in a few minutes ago the car we have this week. Is our little red rocket from a company is trying to find its identity certainly when it comes to cars that are fun. And sporty and light and -- it's kind of doing what it used to do a kind of reaching for it has to do in the future. This is the 2012. Honda Civic SI's wind and into -- take -- on the road. -- -- -- -- -- -- And the tank engine 2.4 liter four cylinder raising up. Amber has barely had sixty. As I gotta have -- nice lofty 7000 rpm red line which is not something a little worried about. Could -- the jump to 2.4 liters. They increase the torque. -- a little worried the red -- would end up dropping because part of the fun of driving a civic SI it's just the hell out. Yes this is an issue a higher displacement engine than previously read and write it used to be -- two -- -- 201. Horsepower -- seven depending on the year. It still is only 201 horsepower. So what do they do -- the extra almost half a liter displacement. Well they finally -- -- -- bottom into it than the exact strain dizziness -- and now the torque curve so -- They have a little light -- -- and know that it's still there and don't feel that. That pinpoint -- to suddenly get blasted forward I mean if you listen -- -- you can kind here to open up a little bit more but if you're not paying attention. And I mean and it's really easy to miss that -- -- from the academy that was my favorite part of a -- old artistic type -- Was 5800 rpm with -- -- -- -- them. But it's kinda nice you know it's not have to -- the crap about it and it has a -- I would not have -- downs and and you don't need to. About as it is needed energy settings and it's like the -- that is invested we have. The -- experience items guidance at that ivy tech -- it left. But we have this up. Your audio information and it. Some other stuff and there it is a really cool you -- -- information. You get your fuel efficiency. You also get a power -- you know what percentage of the available power -- now -- about 10%. -- and around -- -- Over zoning five points back there. -- mobile versions of the navigation system edge. These maps are looking better on the -- It's still rough. Yet there passable what it would still annoys me is the way that -- -- letters for the street names sometimes don't line up properly and it looked like -- are just. Haphazardly tossed -- -- it's just kinda all over the place right here. -- -- -- jagged and out of line and then man made it makes it harder to read and then something simple like destination entry is just complicated I mean -- if you think they're like three different buttons here on the dashboard format related functions. And guides -- -- really easy to hit the wrong one for us to spend twenty minutes faster at a pair Bluetooth -- -- -- -- -- menu it's under. That is. One of the oldest hired its net systems in the business now -- I think it's funny -- as I was saying you don't know -- mean you to phone vendor realized that. There's a gigantic phone but. It. I think human navigation destination -- and many -- yet. But I'll give -- deal with the first things first the fact it is the only car out there well the if you cars out there that has a long running Internet means around. As Amylin some detectives kicked in yo. Only accurate and the scooter riding with the -- I on. The on the wheelchair this one's all over the place. This is all referring to into one's favorite feeling in the old V tech where it to suddenly kicks in at -- legs upon legs. The dude in the whatever he's. Been vacated -- -- and my favorite VM one Abrams on the power. So yes let's explain to us the V tech -- sensation -- -- variable cam technology. And so basically on -- -- at its most basic. When -- -- was debuted wave like almost public ethernet. It's basically every year ever -- and you have two different loop profiles as a regular one for cruising around there's an aggressive. Profile a for when you really getting into it and what happens is when you hit a certain rpm that -- came -- can shifts over a little bit. And you switch from the end of the the in the regular -- -- to -- aggressive one and all of a sudden you have more power so it's a or B pragmatic continuously variable what folders and he was lead now. A that's the new ads at the very thorough -- years of I've gone on -- -- continuous. They've added in a continuous timing means -- a bunch of different technologies and -- -- we have now is the ivy tech system which they had written out the last. -- years and now it's way more complicated than what I just described the odds a Linear adjustment right it -- -- -- and -- still point. Alexa they're they're two different ivy tech systems. There's Debbie Texas in the -- C -- like Honda Pilot yeah. That's more Linear. The ones you'd see like in the 2011 civic SI is still -- camper to -- okay hence the ivy tech light that's -- for on the aggressive profile now right. Okay now. In this new generation -- -- when he twelve. They bought the displacement. So they've basically taken engine out of the TSX 2.4 liter. And slapped it in the civic ISI so where used to have on your -- him no network. No no don't use just like a RP card and then all of a sudden you'd hit. The V checkpoint around -- -- -- -- 5000 somewhat rpm and all of a sudden and -- 200 horsepower out of nowhere and you hear the cargo. And demand. And -- power in it's it's almost like Turbo lag is the best way I can describe it -- to sharper yet but there's a notch yet. Definitely interest and now that there is so -- low end torque. From the usual even ordeal -- anymore. I didn't notice it kicking -- -- the look at the light and say okay I guess something changed yeah I didn't feel a huge like whoa. And would like that what a good day I -- Linear power delivery I'm not big on peaking motors and firms like around town like I just -- -- -- -- -- -- I realized that I was always shifting before -- even kicked in exactly I don't if there's so much low end torque on this vehicle that you don't even really don't know if you need. The extra 2000 RPM at the top unless you're just trying to do -- like an extra sixty run on somebody at a -- -- -- At the V tech -- on much of the time very rarely on when I was really running the engine up it was like a -- is driving around on standard profile you and the car had good -- -- real. On the shift lights that we saw on the video there there's three or four Amber's and a couple of -- and it runs you up from. I guess those indicate the entire V tech range 5207000. UP show where you are in that range of for the fuel cut off its -- really hard it got there -- Yeah. And it. It's it's -- -- got to shift a lot to -- in the discards geared pretty low. So you've got -- -- -- mean if you wanted to was there is secure and that's two shifts that you're in their gear before you hit six. Yeah you can't do it in second. It's a nice little -- though a total Revver a car under 3000 pounds rare today. Most cars are well into the 3000 even smaller car than they -- up that much weight that's that's that's a good way right now limited slip on the trans axle likeness -- today. -- suspect a simple car that we couldn't just talking about on the used to be simple this is still a simple car the engine as far away the most high -- -- -- -- there's not there's no all wheel drive available. There's no fancy driver assistance -- not at this price point you would want this car anyway it's it's a very simple message at -- and I love the feeling of the the manual transmission in this car accident probably one of my -- light conditions I didn't. I didn't love it I took -- most of the day of driving -- not all day long but to really be able to get there without thinking about word the -- work a little bit. Today -- vague -- in very close left or right. Yet it's it's there is a very mechanical feeling and you can sneak in each year teaching team but it is very close together very close absolutely as a it was a good with that throw one thing that I don't like this car amended and medium just again I'm. And comparing -- to mild -- -- Atlanta development embarrassed when I'm trying to compared to -- thing that I don't really like about this car is done. Though the sort of like loft units of the ran all -- you hit the clutch of between since hate and it'll hold the -- like it's a rental leader -- exactly. Two full seconds yes and so it's like. Now sitting here and I'm waiting for the -- to drop select and finally lit up the clutch and third year and it and not drag the engine and -- cluster to sloppy behavior -- -- -- that was I could not figure that out and I hated that the whole time I had the car I would finally get the timing and after week. At a that's not good it's not giving our gravest dedication to spend a week the card or 3COM took -- -- are usually what would happen that would -- Dislike Tulsa at the right if they -- -- and if you know it's the muscle memory just like aliens who wouldn't do you. It is about how long it takes week it spilled out of all is always changing gears and has a Klutz goes and it's dragging the engine and as it is still floating -- -- Anniston -- -- a for a car that's meant to be a driver's current budget that's good drive and -- -- -- strategy some ride matching was below -- I think -- -- -- for summary task but there's something in the programming -- I don't know how that works outside the reduced dumbing down the shift times just to make it easier for. Also but he -- user I slowly make your chance the revs -- you want -- I don't know I think this is -- -- -- -- it didn't make it. More drivable around town now and it definitely didn't need it more dram doubles as a perfectionist when your performance season and this thing is covered up here it's like come -- -- -- knowing his -- the navigation package that we don't like it's serviceable as 15100 bucks. I would so skip that go after market all its -- nav which is still dvd based. Traffic nice XM radio and you get that -- in other ways and head unit outside the market -- Honda. Starting to get towards something -- -- they've got that little small screen in the either the eyebrow display I'm in there and if they just. They'll work more in that direction and drop this doubled in unit that they put in the dash. In -- more integrated system may be something I mean maybe not a -- In that little screen -- I'd be pretty tiny yeah like the Mazda three. But maybe something along the with a similar look consumer lines is there's certainly a aesthetic disconnect between the -- -- -- the small screen and and then the bigger screen. In the -- a good looking display very serviceable easy to navigate with just two buttons are so on the wheel and that old horse seat Honda head unit as it. The -- beyond that an American book market in terms of cabin tech but -- -- is that a good value its 23 grams. And die and. Which you're comparing it to you know I mean if you're comparing it to. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- If this car ahead and -- nemesis in would be the easiest guy. By the way on the -- -- Dennis -- you can get that with a 2.0 Turbo N which is much much less expensive I think the MB six -- about. When he gave you but I think the Turbo costs about 221 victory -- -- -- right down -- this car. And it prints as much more car -- of atlas deal prince has a little car also real world currency it. You got up and you can be a real tool and get the HSP packets for 5000 and let the dealer do you're tuning for -- if you see that. The PC user is running around the it to -- it is to understand to be probably. -- Gifts that you don't get it we have a phrase here on CNET for things like that you know at the -- at that the TSA says you know if you see -- -- -- we have some of the exit the if you -- -- Present at at at and ask that. Our diets no circumstance union -- is -- through its. What an announcement -- A lot. If you get different. We -- do that we can agree campaign that -- -- -- you just pull up next to me just ask them with the sticker price on that -- the imminent smoking. And yeah. That's the civic SI review status on this is this guy up and I -- -- this afternoon tokens so and so day here's will be going up in towards full review and he has deep roots in the world of aside and -- tech and all that so you're getting an expert so that's coming up -- -- -- in the car tech garage. Up Prius V has also crossed our driveway -- to -- big but small Prius. -- -- Now multiple lobsters is getting -- test -- and -- after all new model very interesting and sort of vaguely in the same category for Lexus -- -- CT 200 HT have sport package. He's an oxymoron owners of the good -- -- knows those reviews are coming out shortly and we give back. Consumer Electronics Show top of the year we're gonna have the new Chrysler 300 SRT. In the house as well. Lot of folks are asking our folks that's car tech live -- this week thanks for joining us here on this December 15 episode 245 you know how to reach just the email is carte tech at cnet.com. Give us your thoughts about this no phone situation. Give us your thoughts about -- -- do you agree with Morgan Stanley -- they aren't gonna make a lot of sense for a lot of folks too good topics there. Find the show notes that car tech. Dot cnet.com for all of our podcast. And leave us a voice -- of your thoughts and questions 866401. CNET 8664012638. We'll see you next week and don't forget to join us on roadside assistance.