Car Tech Live 218: Nissan Leaf sticks it to Chevy Volt (podcast)

-- on slams the volt as being a cousin of the leaf blower. A new app keeps its -- on the accidents ahead. Is -- out in your car the next big thing and we drive the Mini Cooper S countryman. That's right folks it's Arctic live welcome -- -- at the Thursday Brian Cooley with Wayne Cunningham -- good one. Kelly Hendricks of the board this week in -- Mitchell Chang who is. On paternity leave congratulations to each who has had. A bouncing baby went to knows. The boy -- -- company's popular and Brett I'm pretty pretty darn certain of that thing means that it's doing at urging him -- human do we know Kelly. It's -- it was a baby boy okay very good -- as -- now is to -- that's remit is to be back. I think makes people's immune -- so anyway let's get to -- on the news here this week. Just because. I'm confused by this I thought I'd kick things off right away and have the experts women and one. And what's going on a blue and me is showing up for the first time in the US on the Fiat 500. And now all the stories have -- this week is it's Tom Toms blue and me -- -- was a Microsoft technology wasn't that a cousin to sync. He was actually developed by Microsoft and when we've we've seen -- that system in at the international auditors that -- Geneva alpha has its launcher. Yet and I've actually sad and now or mail while a demo and it when they first launched it and it was definitely -- -- it's a Wii and Microsoft based technology very similar to sync via. I think the blue and me is a -- -- and I believe so I'm not sure the TomTom branding comes from. If you're -- they let the central on your GPS -- -- -- -- risen to this there was no mention of Microsoft anywhere and -- I think it's just that there's beauty -- technology. With in the system now. On top of Microsoft's take on right limited -- -- -- -- -- visibility it -- but it TomTom Dixie getting involved in the game now obsolete their IQ routes technology -- -- -- while being used. And the matching portion of it we can't they also moved. There. There when -- attempted to map the map data and all of the also involved and it is delivering in their hole now of. Logic and map today into the picture right and this is kind of like a -- talked before collect a simpler sync. It doesn't do as much as -- at least not right now but indicates that -- it would give you lots of different warnings and interface to the vehicle and of course GPS -- at the core of it it does have some portable media player integration. I don't know that it has the same degree of voice -- sophistication of sync doesn't have to what that's the 101000 words they have now they've improved it quite a bit yeah front based Microsoft technologies that yeah this is probably isn't quite that level yet yet. On the Fiat 500 so it's our first chance to see it coming soon to a car sold in the US. -- -- -- -- adds another player to this -- automatics and interface game which is getting pretty crowded up there. Well absolutely and what we're seeing tutors and with with sync -- -- started getting this type of technology and really inexpensive cars yet. You get this in the fiesta which as well 120000 dollars even -- fiesta with -- an LCD which don't think they just discovered policies is just that little. -- -- -- -- -- -- So basically this is gonna be kind of -- Howell. You know how he -- in the the -- yes export they have that partnership with Garmin we're basically just a Garmin -- yeah popped up the -- -- that -- That's similar it's gonna be a device I forgot about that -- I do most painful memories that yeah breast and actually. My daughter and -- are coping was gonna fall off all the time it wasn't a physical implementation a little bit and actually a I had a hard time getting it off of the cradle. Which was -- that I had an canal wanted to take it off the cradle -- -- -- cars -- was gonna falloff in there so well because the idea they wanna do just to close the little door and even in there yeah I'm mid frequency can pop it out about -- -- -- theoretically you know there are. And it's TomTom devices actually is gonna be a similar thing I believe I don't know where it can snap on the dashboard. But it is a small device touch screen the chicken and onto the dash export that'll paying off like a -- Okay that's great that's -- really good looking in reference but it's coupled with -- independent -- a button that better than nothing has what they got -- an awfully naive to think that if there weren't bad people -- -- -- -- Smartphone more TomTom onto the windshield anyway. Yes that remains the battle is they know how welcome they do against a Smartphone to cradle when you're at that low -- price point people who lobbied for a very price sensitive about a system. Right but he managed here is because it. Users that's a -- neat technology that already kind of tied into the the 500. Trip like you know the computer -- -- can do things like more accurate -- -- so if you're driving through a tunnel -- GPS that still -- you're doing 35 yeah that's flew down to 34 through the arguments for having in car now is that it has a little more richness in terms of data it can stay on top of verses of standalone right. -- -- this comes out also the pricing is again the Fiat 500 just hitting the market in the last what few weeks showing up in some of those novel. Shopping mall I've been to store all over -- Hadley and efforts and -- -- down down in. And we're out of here freeware a list of an all over the place. -- -- for the planet's weak but not -- the Fiat dealership. And those south -- -- so we know it actually it was out and now on the east -- interest. Only -- 1500 in the wild it's that those first 500 they're making with a camel racing stripes on him prima edition -- -- addition nearly three of them in my neighborhood really yet and good and that -- the dealership and -- with full of them and most of it and I'm still needs -- you can have a lot. Full one caller yes -- say it's like sixty 500 out here -- immediate goal. Is it focuses they -- model line it's just one car at the outsells the 500 and I don't think it's even hearing -- really form yet it's just so far -- -- hardtop I think that's that's already up their numbers 100% of Nokia that'll -- you -- a -- 500 so that's the sales success story right there. But if you're watching a video version there's the 500 its various forms -- -- also beyond and a -- -- version which -- -- hot rod version based on a the legendary Fiat -- from back in the day but anyway this is the this is the first place you're gonna see blue and me so we're still expanding not contracting the number of platforms out there. For what are generally and broadly considered telemann -- along those lines. It -- got a piece is weak on an app called ion road which is all about traffic accident and it looks like it's -- augmented reality thing is that right. Right it's basically an augmented reality the sort of -- -- you're smart phone's camera to basically stare out in front of your car's gonna not to find your dashboard you or your windshield something like that hope that your -- -- the lock that camera -- but basically it -- -- the front of your car. It collects data from both the camera as well as the kill barometer in the GPS -- to figure out how faster going. And then to make against at how far and how fast the car in front of you feeling. So we'll give you like to. Distance I was -- at that time. Distance -- to do that. -- loved you know aware of the caller one Carly -- miles right would -- if you like basically in second how many seconds ahead of the car is silica the target -- -- -- -- the -- And they come to offend stopped you'd get at best to factory yet here's an example if you're watching -- video version shows a truck woodland says there's a little label on the back of the truck guns augmented reality that -- one point eight seconds at the current conditions between you would it. Which is a good reminder about why you shouldn't be texting while driving -- -- he stops hard it apparently I've got one point eight seconds to wrap up my text obsession. Would give my eyes back up -- -- right leg to get to the brake pedal during the last app I have to happen there. The and it did this also would like -- color coding the road in front you'd like an -- like the Fidelity Investments commercial right the Green Line to your future. The good for -- reality or your -- hey if -- turned red you're dead. This -- -- obviously doesn't tell us soldier turns yellow if you're following too close and it turns red if you're about it something -- the interesting thing about this app is that it also run in the background. So -- -- Using your own for navigation you don't have to give up your screen you can still have a navigating and the camera will. Ideally continue to watch the road so a few -- look turned to back the deal to kids. And conference he slows down your phone will still beat -- -- -- low low. I'm just a -- another -- warning on a visual warning so the idea this is kind of like that the collision detection that's an a lot of OEM system. Here's another case of an of another thing that the cars have built in that a Smartphone can now do. Well of the like below see the old skier ray -- -- can't stop your car. Nobody can give you the ability to -- the alert wherever that exceed sixty now those red lights in the windshield that are always on always thought -- that they calibrate that car and very conservative guy in -- -- somewhere in the led lights are always on saying you're in danger of the -- nine miles ahead of you. What I've seen it once or twice but that's not an open road -- -- -- when you're in the country it's as I. Think it's okay out here. Yet I think I freaked out via the -- India could collision detection mode that does a great Alan yeah I did this thing -- -- -- and -- as well as driving and on a mountain road some diving and it turned and there's like sheer rock wall film like that -- -- pretty -- and the -- -- stuff away. And I like your wallet just goes like there's clearly something wrong here legs -- -- and then edit menu and pull over and it didn't. Like intervene anymore but it just open Air Methods. And it was like. There's probably something wrong with the collision could turn the car off and back on and we'll see what happens as -- -- and -- I'm sorry that I apparently mistaking the wall for a car exactly while. I didn't -- -- faculty the engine and -- Cleared out fine and just through -- more conservative. Folks this is this is the future cars that freak and are driving like you need one more person or entity to tell you how to drive. If you know passengers had to methodically go backseat driver now. If you get your carcass he would leave you alone for a certain amount of time now the car is that nagging pain in the -- -- this there's a gap will get the full deets on that over -- cars dot cnet.com. -- -- -- on this this pioneer floating vision technology is this the same -- related to or different from app radio which we talked about last week -- It's a different technology. This is a whole does is it puts gesture control on a 3-D display. Right -- radio disc the capacity of touch screen that interfaces with your phone this is sort of like. I don't know if they get the probably targeted towards an OEM and -- sort of thing. Where you get some sort of like the -- in a car in case -- public maybe 3-D instrument cluster something like that. Or merely. 3-D map where -- your next term with projected in a weird sort of three dimensional space yup. But they're kind of aiming this at all sorts of things the the in car. Immigration being one of them. But basically its its pretty -- in a nutshell what -- it's those. 3-D visuals on a screen obviously using something like -- -- -- 3-D S uses a glasses -- technology and a passion and drive of articles are either oh well. You never know they'd basically be like pictures three special 3-D -- -- -- lindh's. -- -- There's not something you can you clear -- the and then use gesture control on top of that -- -- the objects are in -- you're waving your hand assembled the map to the -- turn this object around let me pull over this is what it's a fascinating bunch of stuff going on here again its its gonna are in the levels -- -- like the third time maybe second or third time we've seen pioneer come out with an interest in sort of like 3-D can edit 3-D laser. Display a holographic display. Like hood yeah we saw last year I was based on Android name basically used lasers to project -- hero when GR. So it's. It feels like being you know there really is kind of enjoying this you know making things very -- and on yeah and those three big -- -- -- windshield now it looks like they're doing 3-D. Instrumentation or what not. On the LCDs right yes so this is obviously played by a mile pioneered to get the OEM deal -- carmaker look at this -- -- -- we wanna be the first to get an Audi or BMW this car companies that are so far out on this stuff and really cutting edge to say. Here's how we stay ahead but this is a pretty -- W -- -- that we -- -- piece of that over on cars dot cnet.com as well as having a piece on what could be the new Corvette. Finally I had -- about this in awhile but the corvettes -- on the vinyl long time that -- -- the C six right now right. And that's in because the generation and and they've released the variants like ZR one and in India that -- -- -- -- six but as far as an overall upgrade yet it'll say once until 56 years as a long time to be on the market -- are about to do between twelfth. So it's almost seven year old model. We don't really know what's gonna look like when we a lot of vent fans on the audience of -- one acknowledge that yes according to Automotive News. There will be a new Corvette C seven by fall of 2013. As a 2014. Model which means they're gonna have a short model you're going into 2013. And then rule out this next car and that's about all we know. No one seems to know -- it's going to be dramatically different moderately different apparently there's been a lot of there was a lot of scuttlebutt about a -- in the mid engine. You have -- -- they were never gonna do that haven't heard them awhile. -- -- both -- -- engine has been cool and there -- concepts floating around the people need. Maybe it'll end up looking something like the corporate containing a concept. That in a couple years ago and transformers now that they've made it convertible variant of that I mean me what a great way to test market Clark put to transform immediately know -- and transparent that they keep developing this concept that let you know. It's still floating around and showing up in movies and that we have at any concept that the car shows that they haven't ruled that anything that says the direction it think it and go -- -- -- really -- in what they do with the engine technology the and is again like all the automakers under the pressure. If they keep in -- fleet. In economy and I mean GMT in the Chrysler. Basically just -- the vipers like forget it. Yet to -- sales for the -- -- all the Magellan in Italy Poland are entirely -- mile per gallon average down down I mean the -- not doing G in any favors. In that capacity amenable to ought to -- it back -- They're gonna have to get some serious technology and in the the Corvette is still. It's still push fraud motor I think right on all the big -- -- and no direct injection I don't know -- So there's a couple things they can do it took precise that engine in get a little better efficiency -- -- for our leaders have some really good comments on this article one -- When in doubt that this is the second sentence would be the second generation and a row where the Corvette is they could stick in less than a decades. To updated. And I and I -- -- that -- -- bleeding -- -- -- -- the -- somebody -- recommends why not put the the direct injection V6 and Camaro in the nuclear -- option yet. Because of V6 in the mustang is no longer road dog motor. You know it's actually it's not your brawny but -- engine but for a lot of buyers for all the composers were out there and put those Chrome lenses on -- orbit tail lights. Well you don't need the big -- the interesting thing about the vetted -- it -- many hundred pounds less -- the command -- video it will make. More use that -- 300 plus horsepower than America at the -- enormous difference will still be there that's a good point. It's a good point you know and I mean -- they can even conceivably make the next generation -- the bit lighter mean there's technology out there. I mean if Armenia plastic but I mean there's no knowledge Yelp added that they can you know that's on a space frame of some kind isn't that it's not a -- -- On a unibody thing it's like it are thumping the tub with the the plastic panels and I look I relaxed and in the back bumper of the Camaro and lessen those -- yeah that must the whole thing before. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Let's see up recall news -- -- -- Toyota but it's Toyota. The Prius this time older three guys the first gen -- if you're out there and still drive -- Who does that mean people who drive these cars do like to ring them all for all they're worth the -- part of the old efficiency you know enough -- -- -- car -- junk yard until it's absolutely ready so if you have one of the first gen Prius is pretty odd. They're being recalled for up problems we have not. And -- bowl on the steering -- it's not high tech stuff it's not a software issue -- of that Toyota gate they have electronic bugs but just so you know. Check with your dealer it is apparently a voluntary recall so -- that -- at a critical safety issue. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- But anyway if you don't of the old. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Yeah yeah it does actually go a lot of that it's it does look pretty hope they of that right -- I think it's the same body as active I think the Prius in the original Prius Somalia -- shared the same body because. I want to the president medicine at the Prius -- -- the vents on the rear pillar in -- interesting in a little rear pillar C -- -- and noticed that before. Almost -- one of those echoes in line you know that I wanted to super efficient car it was like at the time in 2000. This would have been an O. 404 I think when you almost also about a Smart Four Two -- almost also got a Scion tc I love I love the little -- -- cars they really get my attention and why is the bullet that's that's my feet and how right I am color and the bullet -- can drive -- -- salary so far I. And the part that I couldn't get past on the echo was the the center mounted that the dominant at all. It was all believers is kind of weird inside that now can be looked like -- -- new paper yes just yet at six there was that they're. So I think we've gotta mail the problem -- car now wait what -- whatever and is at a demo with Ford of some vehicle to vehicle stuff. I yeah I -- that have -- brought along their their latest vehicle to vehicle communication technology unit in a live demonstration. In one of the parking lots in San Francisco and in the ball parks a lot of room to play in the U a lot of things to go wrong -- My crashed a car so I said in this that Ford Explorer -- -- that you fiesta -- they're all equipped with us that technology. And the first demonstration we did it is. We're in the Spore following the two -- -- the fiesta in the very front which recently -- very well around the other -- that it slams on its brakes. Suddenly warning lights flash in the explored because it's -- two -- back get your cards back before the the second PS -- even had a chance to do anything. Before brake lights before any data and so we're getting -- early warning because peppers BS that told us pulled explore. What what it was doing. So this shows that this kind of technology and imposes -- V vehicle to vehicle of the callers wirelessly are all talking to each other through with the commission network -- either using a 802 dot eleven key is that it's a Wi-Fi. And -- -- standard. Resort built or -- so it's built to be robust and handle -- also -- media wider range I think than a standard denied adopted in our development and yet presents pretty short in real world and so the cars obviously are able to eliminate. Reaction lag. Which accumulates to a big number when you have 45 cars in traffic we see these huge pile ups -- that's because you had what we -- -- one point eight seconds on the app. Amid a few stories ago add that up for every cars gap. And now that truck slammed on his brakes you've got like twelve seconds for five cars back actually -- we got a problem that yet if you get worn by way at a time that there's some car up there -- -- the is finally on its break served to -- something like that's huge -- and also they showed another demonstration they had is that. They had come out of a blind corner in the explore as another PS that was crossing in the past. And we got -- the same warning against telling him there's an object that they had. Now the warnings a world is gonna -- that they just show them on a screen yeah it was an intimate and of the car yet but they can be integrated in -- -- -- different ways and the good warning of different situations to view is a shot of some warning on its on a headrest monitors looks like -- very clear. It's a particular -- -- sort of problem. This is just elements of its amended or cobbled together to demonstrate clearly it also tie this into the car's brakes and -- actually break for you if there's an imminent death problem. -- -- -- about this technology is at the based on all it needs is a GPS chip and that's Wi-Fi transceiver. And on a computer of course but it's it's pretty cheap and probably cheap compared all the radars lasers and stuff they're putting on cars for. The different that accident avoidance that roads are -- a driver assistance features -- the key of course is making it cheap so that a lot of cars have because of -- most cars have -- it doesn't -- -- -- yet it's a network you know that that is the thing but the admits that National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Will probably mandate this stuff. They're gonna start writing the rules in 2013. Guy from Ford might Schulman told me that he expects it to be about it five years probably before we see wide scale implementations about. 2018 this may be mandated. The end of the car as we know it is coming and that that will be a big change it really is able -- have a lot of I mean you will drastic each drastically reduce accidents because yeah this happens is most people group and the tennis -- -- does. Eliminates so many of the kinds of accidents happen everyday -- on the -- of turning the corner on a new era when you don't really drive a car as much as you manage it well that's another aspect of this technology that can actually do the split between. The way they'd need to know right stars are ten card offering traveling together -- -- -- Those routes for intellectually be European on European roots and global talking about wouldn't implementing -- on European remotely as -- like two years from now. This is this is that this decade is going to be a very interesting one to actually. To make this turn toward the point where you don't. You don't do as much or even half of the driving of a car used to responsible for it legally and all that that's going to be many many more years for that changes but. It's it's gonna become more of a passive role as the driver of a car we're gonna have two kinds of cars on the road. Those that are fully driven and those that are largely or fully autonomous but could be a weird few decades of those are all mixed together. And to be very pleasantly weird to get into a -- -- its current today well it's a -- but five years to drive -- 05 anything. In a world when these kind of -- -- on the road as you're gonna feel like you're having a very strange backwards kind of machine what you're gonna be they're gonna be collectible and the last of the driving car and you actually drive. I can't wait to The -- were -- -- graphic that has cut back not. I wouldn't mind sitting in my car drive on the I five and LA -- yet read the -- -- -- right right mix a cocktail and I can just don't open a book. A hole -- -- -- -- -- look at the car's self driving I -- director yet been out on a -- -- you'll have to climb into the bank the did you -- Political privacy panel like out of alive regards them but you're not drinking and driving know you're -- and sitting thoughts what I always do that and different there. -- -- -- If you wanna buy a small -- you don't wanna feel like -- but -- crushed by something big on the road we have some of the top safety picks there were just -- -- the car tech blog. People -- -- this all the time it's still this big concern that little cars aren't as safe. Little cars can be extremely -- laws of physics notwithstanding. Engineering -- can really get around a lot of the issues that -- -- a bigger thing it's a smaller thing you're going you're gonna have some issues but. Lots can be done to compensate so let's see some of the safest -- what. Honda Civic. Right Honda -- Ford Focus and these are just there's six new cars are added. TV this is the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety they -- top safety picks every year these -- the -- that score. A good which is the top score in all the test -- and -- they just added that sixty small cars which of the Hyundai Elantra -- focus. The civic dimensions now Lexus CT two candidates and Nissan -- -- my -- At the Toyota Prius to which I guess hadn't been -- tested on their previously okay. And those join another fourteen net small cars like the Chevy crews -- some -- -- -- twenties small cars total -- on the highest tier of safety according to the insurance folks right so this helps does dispel the myth. Partly -- -- that small cars are inherently dangerous. In certain situations they are they -- -- -- bigger but in general. You know the ET eight you're running into something of similar size or into an object or something they can -- just to say there's a larger car and unlocked model of the larger cars like a -- -- -- don't -- fullest because they failed -- -- right at all. And their stupid. Right now -- failing to -- that they use in the crash testing. If the things I've I think for most cars as and it's about the size of just like a midsized sedan a good point it would of the uses they're not normally only if they crash a smart to a smart and they -- and it's safe they crashed a basically a camera into a smart nearly it's may have -- discretion to a midsize Scalia Thomas led a big -- -- of against the -- -- mean you know it'd. You know eighteen Wheeler will be an issue for -- After threatening one way or another eighteen Wheeler -- all right let's have some fun now we got a couple of a couple of things we told you a few weeks ago -- -- too few weeks ago on the show. That we were -- there was going to be a mock up of a hot wheels track and Indy 500 full size. And they were going to drive a real -- do would do a -- -- a jumper just the jump. Just to jump -- to journalists on -- -- -- -- -- -- I want to do a -- bright and I can -- -- -- every week there's a -- I think nearly a mile that will attract loops -- it tanner Faust in the hot wheels official car if you're watching -- video version if not go to the show notes you've gotta see this going down a total mock up of an orange hot wheels track. In the off road racing truck down to a jump at the very -- hall and asked toward the -- -- is going up the jump at the back. -- -- look at this he's gone forever. That's a beautiful -- that's hang time. The real animals that influence that's pretty -- I have -- overall Nokia ET eighteen miles an hour in the air and a pretty impressive though and then makes it cleanly. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- It was just a all right yellow driver you did a great job basically -- doubt it would he's been there to help an advertisement and -- the next -- would display. Behind the scenes of the -- driver in the media isn't like Tenet South Wales would be. That -- -- kind of make him an argument outing PC blew it -- -- -- the test driver didn't make it. But -- 332 feet was the job and has long and I won't let the world record that's cool. That's cool our integrate video joint check that out and one of the -- you wanna see in the a line of the -- audio on this -- gotta go check it out that the audio is key but there's a new. -- TV spot out there that -- put up for the leaf but just it would simply they they show world where everything is powered by a little gas motor. To say you know Michael 049 aircraft engine or something on -- hair dryer on a toaster on a computer my favorite is on the dental drill. Powered by like I believe lower our parent. And then they just have without actually mentioning it. They just pan across a Chevy Volt as the BO says you know what if everything the world was powered by a dirty gas -- yet. There's a little -- sitting there. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- We get from a Prius and there we should do that a big reasons -- we have a good actually my favorite thing and that commercial I was the guy -- -- the opposite sounded his desk. But the key into its computers to -- Top priced. Cranks and Apple and at the -- -- got -- pedal on the lower revs up to monitor and disliked album and those yet that's the bad ass computer I want I want demo larger on the cooling apparatus. That's gonna fifty core. And the only way to keep it cool but let's go to edit this video right now -- heat yes that's right whatever I'm not thinking it through I just wanna hit that that sounds good. Let's render that video we got fifty -- Our rights are really a quick break here and little -- -- -- break we always love that we come back we're going to go for arrived this week. In a very different kind of mini that's coming up as car tech live continues here on cnet.com. -- car tech live everybody Brian Cooley Wayne Cunningham into one that -- Kelly is at the controls today Mitchell -- is on a paternity leave congrats to Mitzi and new baby boy. And have no school on the road in -- -- but not to me that you're used to which could be any number of what two or three models. You've got -- out there that are not so many but now we've got one that really isn't meaning at all it's definitely meaty. When -- and Antuan take us on the road in the 2011 Mini Cooper asks. Countrymen the biggest that they stretch that model yet -- -- I'm going Cunningham. And we are on the road in the 2011. Mini Cooper countryman. And funds to to has the best out there. It's picking up speed pretty well the term of -- and moon and what about the numbers themselves. This is the -- -- after the -- as many Cooper actually that countrymen. Kameleon model it's. A little more -- incident. Suvs and many -- -- closer and SUVs you can get I don't think anybody actually still classify this as an SUV I think. And he -- -- there's a wagon. That it does an aspect that -- space it's got rear -- actually -- -- receives because that. They -- -- got a crazy center rail down the middle which is must be conveniently -- things to like cup holders and sunglass holder. In theory and it works glad excuse and it seems like the liberal -- in the main -- content needs. Accessories sales of the first mini that has -- drive. Yeah there around Baltimore system. -- -- -- -- -- data that that -- -- inherited from BMW from there are some of X system. And -- that sentiment is normally a problem I've cars and miss that shot somebody part to the rear wheels. When that need it. What have been impressed by even though this is actually likes -- umpires available here than your regular many -- something they handled pretty well. I headed in. And that's right into those -- inside just just having started another word only use the responsive -- that's pretty much every other human driven. Yeah I mean it does this quiet is like you from for sizes is that regular like -- -- arrest but. It's it doesn't lose much and that's that's a great -- you highlight the the size of his vehicle to space. And the credibility is don't really get adds we got a sixty manual that's when he -- and an automatic power still coming from Saint Louis at one point six liter. -- of one point six liter Turbo charged engine would direct injection -- -- could -- -- technology and curtailing Baum product which that really improbable control. About technology. So -- lot of plug and power comes out of -- antenna and -- fuel economy to we've been getting that close to thirty miles. Gallon has saved about one that well -- an -- drive read heads. That's the best fishing and fun -- -- packets and in the -- it is a mini -- -- you know instantly turn -- was coming out with an SU me. And of course everybody did meet the same base that we made her -- -- was coming out of one's just like I many pharmacy needs. But I mean it still is that still haven't been -- DNA. Yeah man has the same capital and -- many. Pretty much -- that means that pretty much everything and optionally a widget but it's optional you can -- I'm running mission but it's optional. Many poisonous and that's a standard nine down and Amazon's media reported navigation system which we've never really seen -- US. Many have actually seen in Europe ones. But it wasn't very good one thing to battling to say is this is a 35000 dollar car with -- -- Options -- you can get a much bigger car if you want -- -- and for about that price. For one of the the Japanese manufacturers. And even compared to some BMW's bit pricey -- -- infinity levels Babylon. Levin went Cunningham diamonds on -- and we've been on the road in the 2011 a Mini Cooper -- countrymen. Okay so this is -- This is the farthest they construct the score -- -- this and it's not a -- go there. Really here -- many limo. At a further in that direction but they can't make it -- -- ran economic taller. -- box here and still call the meaning it's getting to the absolute limit of absurd policy these cars driving down the road just think they -- plot. Yes it's -- it a little too much previous titan and it's like a little piggy meaning yeah. -- -- yet going much bigger than that in the yeah whole bundle many mystique and that's the thing him he's always been about being -- a small really small little smaller cars out and I think they could get smaller -- and there are currently many mega deals -- cedar. -- was there -- -- on the concepts like yeah right. I thought this Wednesday as thought it was pretty close to -- -- I was disappointed it's been awhile since we had this in but I and number thing is just a little bit. Where it felt tip beat me did you get to drive at that much because. But -- -- -- he was like well what did he the issue we had was. If you're gonna bring it up and I don't wanna -- but it's only it's not a huge data point but this is the car that dot reshoot the video. And it's -- that was up -- was running an idling or doing our little engine shop channel's talking about it on the senator some funny noises. And it -- doubt about that again -- -- a quarter tank that whatever -- sort of back up no. Wouldn't start. We can drive like -- half an hour. And an engine gets a little bit and images but it would make a weird -- it was a weird kind of an with a -- had no pumping resistance and what the bowels were out of sequence is something that went really wrong. So they hauled it away so. For god it's it's a drought as much on camera as we'd like to. But it does mean anything I don't think it's one car means that a mini is a bad car but that we -- and -- the consumer reports ratings you had politically is to dish on your desk and it's like third from the bottom yet their projection is not yet on that -- which I think is the -- -- Beasley has pretty. Reliable technology. Has been in the past but we remember it is a different part to differences not a BMW engine you know its parent company but it's not the same engineering so -- source that engine someone -- hours -- -- to that yet that's Boeing's -- -- French are still -- a backus. This -- what is. You -- I I don't know I I I didn't I didn't love driving it like I don't like it to a regular -- Cooper -- well. I thought united. Not the handling wasn't quite as good as the compressed but is better than I expected if that isn't what -- is the expectation if you go and think it's going to be woes is going to be a big boxy thing if it feels good. Yeah I mean and now I wonder how much of that is due to the the all four system. Which actually isn't very similar to BMW's extracts with them as far as I looked up being -- -- -- drive system. It. Usually rear wheel drive on demand a little drive and the many gulf -- were actually all time all I think you're right -- the difference so it actually has a lot more flexibility sparks traction with it coming from. Different sort of drive train. You know take the BMW being -- -- -- platform young -- of. It goes all wheel drive when needed right different different logic and -- so this is a car that as we also mentioned the video is lots of ala -- tech. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- The best thing they could have done -- announced a couple of weeks after we did a review that -- -- will be optional back yet because those two little buckets in the back on a car of that size. And making room for the the -- is like what's that bike rack company at 1000 legal -- -- -- whatever it is. Like silly I don't need to clamp a movable cupholder in the backs like and put it exactly where I want -- what what cup holders. From what I understand -- is that in Europe they -- to sell a realist -- -- actually an option you care and day in the US I think the 2012 -- -- believe that the many. Maintenance that to have -- they'll have -- -- A former seat for the 2000 -- that would be a nice change to have in the next mow earlier because that's a little bit of an acquired taste that radial. And too little buckets looks like it makes an already small car feel smaller because it spread out in the back this is useful in terms of being able let's -- about people illness and put them the the seat down flat noticeably now they just got a box of that across the back seats open the back door -- what is there. I don't need to scroll across a console and rail where it's gonna be tipping like a seesaw back and forth what a big long box or something. It's just as it was just -- to show car is -- all kinds of green beauty in that absolutely -- -- and elegant toward -- in that. Now known anyone of the year and now they have lots of weird blocks -- -- where you -- put things were you wanna there was limited rail movement it was almost like it was a novelty it's like wait a minute. There's -- there's this five foot long rail and I've got about eighteen inches of usable space on it. But the worst part in the front where the that big gap -- shift lever also. -- Conflicted with that and within DSL phone holder in front yeah which the brake lever would hit now and as it. Badly bent badly thought out -- that you don't buy -- for that. If you're one of those you know weekend bike rack warrior types and Nicole cooled rack on the inside news this is what that really -- -- people on the on the roof for your car your Audi wagon whatever you're doing. So anyway you -- here it is six speed manual we had automatics available for 1250 -- -- drive that but it's out there which most folks are probably gonna -- Does have run flat tires BMW's the last company hang on to those but it does come with a one -- BMWs and minis tend to have these havoc on many if not all models at least available. So there is that -- is an option to get away from those you do have to be OK with -- -- -- Thing and you can get the price of almost forty hand with everything which is insane from India -- -- why they're -- toppled over thirty -- out and they should make sure that their -- never go over -- they're playing on their cachet which is pretty strong mini is an urban you know it's an urban status symbol for a lot of people. It's cool still it's a pretty good it's -- used on the road most correlate this would jump the shark already but they've had held on to some -- pretty well. But US so that's the oh that the Mini Cooper countryman ass what we give their car by the way -- On review basis low in the united scores did it's gonna get tech for the -- intact -- and then the design is definitely. A standout restart. He stars I think it -- some points for the cabin tech with him is really pretty. I liked it weighted average to get you aren't -- Jimmy Cooper countryman. -- folks okay let's what's coming up in the garage the next right now in fact we have the Ford Mustang GT with the new five -- the all new five liter that's an interesting story on the engine alone. And also the Mitsubishi Outlander GT which is kind of a crossover class car. We also was it just took in delivery of the Volvo X C sixty T six all wheel drive. And the Hyundai Elantra which is one of the hottest -- mile cars these days if you wanna get high MPG without a hybrids of those reviews are just starting right now. And the next in the -- -- gonna get the Lexus CT 208 speaking of high miners. And a Lotus -- -- access really. Yeah I'm directed Nat in I'm gonna take that on a drive on a -- program with -- it's okay next week so you're gonna get a taste of that but all those cars are coming. And -- -- -- soon cars dot cnet.com C battery just that's the site for the reviews and all the blog entry Eagles have been talking about -- cars dot cnet.com show notes she'll subscription links all of that is car tech dot cnet.com. And our email. It has openly questioned the tips you've -- if -- in the business still something you know what's going on in the world of car tech -- -- car -- at cnet.com and of course for -- on Twitter I'm Brian -- BR IA MC double OLEY -- is Wayne -- underscore SF and -- -- in doing anti GOO based -- -- the controls this week filling in for Mitchell and we will see you next week on car tech live and also. This week on roadside assistance by folks.