AutoComplete for July 15, 2016: Ford invests in mapping startup for self-driving cars
Roadshow
Welcome to Roadshow's AutoComplete for Friday, July 15th, I'm Tim Stevens, and here's what's making news.
Ford is one of five companies investing a total of $6.6 million in a startup called Civil Maps.
The company uses LIDAR and camera data to create highly detailed 3D maps For the next generation of self-driving cars.
With a small data footprint, and the ability to be updated quickly, Civil Maps is hoping its work will make the transition to driverless cars as smooth as possible.
For 2017, Subaru has given its BRZ a rather large update with changes to both its looks and its kit.
Thankfully these alterations aren't sending the price tag through the roof.
The 2017 BRZ will start at 25,495 dollars which is just 100 dollars more than last year.
The higher trim level is just 250 dollars more and can be optioned to include a performance package with Brembo brakes, SAX suspension and New wheels.
Australia is scared of the big, bad Ford Focus RS.
The blue oval's latest hot hatch has a drift mode that makes it easy to engage in some low traction antics but Aussie safety boffets have deemed it too dangerous for public roads even with Ford's litany of in-car disclaimers.
They're for the car to be recalled so that drift mode can be disabled.
Obviously it's time to send Ken Block down under on a peacekeeping mission.
Porsche has revamped its Cayman coupe with a new name and new turbocharged [INAUDIBLE] engine.
Carfection's Alex Goy sampled the new 718 and while it's a great car overall the new name and new engine [INAUDIBLE] aren't exactly sitting well with him.
Thankfully, you won't really be paying attention to the downsides when you're blasting from corner to corner.
Just turn up the radio a little bit.
You can see all that and more at theroadshow.com.
We'll talk to you next week.
