Entries tagged with “chrysler” from Car & Caboodle

AutoBlog: C-Max and Kuga may follow Euro Focus to the U.S.

AutoBlog reports that Ford officials have confirmed their intent to bring the Kuga, a compact CUV, and the C-Max, a people-moving cousin of the Mazda5, to the US. No details yet on when we can expect their arrival, but it's good to see that Ford is willing to bring some new  family-friendly vehicles across the Atlantic.

Gizmag: Tummy Shield seat belt keeps mother and baby safe

Auto-related injuries are the leading cause of fetal loss in pregnant women, and there is a new product out of Australia that aims to stop that loss. The Tummy Shield certainly isn't the first maternity seat belt adapter, but the design is definitely interesting!

Car and Driver: Chrysler extends $2.99 gasoline deal

Chrysler's promotion guaranteeing $2.99 gas for three years is generating lots of waves in the automotive industry, and has reportedly increased traffic up to 20% in showrooms since the May 7 Launch. Originally slated to end June 2, executives have extended the promotion until July 7. The Dodge Avenger, Caliber, Journey and the Chrysler Sebring are selling the best in this promotion.  Less thrifty vehicles like the SRT line, Viper and Jeep Wrangler do not apply.

Kelley Blue Book: 2008 Best New Road Trip Vehicles

Kelley Blue Book has put together a list of the Best New Road Trip Vehicles for 2008, with some... interesting... choices on board. I don't think i'd bring any Cheerios or Goldfish if we were going to Grandma's in my Bugatti!

Imagine your child's saucer-eyes as she realizes that she can watch her favorite Nick Jr. shows as you truck it to over the river and through the woods to grandma's.  It's true!  And if you have headphones in the back you don't even have to get a headache in the process!

Sirius has debuted Sirius Backseat TV in 2008 Chrysler Group vehicles including Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge.  The service features live programming from Nickelodeon, The Disney Channel, and The Cartoon Network.  This is so much better than watching fuzzy VHS tapes on the tv in the Chevy G20 Conversion Van back in 1988!  Live tv is fed to the car via an in-vehicle video satellite receiver and two small roof mounted antennas.  And here is where those headphones come in handy: front seat passengers can listen to Sirius Satellite Radio while the tv is in use!

This service is available for $470, which includes the first year of service.  After the first year, it is available for an additional $7 per month when packaged with Sirius Satellite Radio, which is $12.95 per month.

Keep Sirius Backseat TV in mind when you are shopping for you next Chrysler product.  It's just one more way to keep the kids entertained and your road trip more peaceful! 

Now... when are they going to add ESPN and Lifetime to the lineup? 

Wish that you had internet access in your car? The last time my family drove to the beach, my mind was whirring with ideas from an ongoing project. As we hit the road I found myself jonesing for an internet connection.

Imagine riding down the interstate while doing online research and updating your blog (from the passenger side please!). Think of the convenience of having another option for entertaining the kids in the back seat.

Chrysler is set to roll out their in-car Wi-Fi later this year, as part of an off-road navigation system for the Jeep Wrangler. Those of us with multiple kids, gear and dogs to haul may have to wait a little longer for an in dash system. But not much. Chrysler promises to equip many 2009 model cars with this technology.

BMW's timeline for Wi-Fi installation are less concrete. As of now their concept has only been seen at the Geneva Motor Show. BMW also promises an in-dash multimedia system that includes streaming music and video content through cellular or Wi-Fi connection. Files will be transferred to the 20GB hard drive from your PC or mobile phone.

Can't wait till 2009? Mobile internet is already available in the form of an in-car router from AutoNet Mobile. This technology is an aftermarket solution. Routers will cost you $595, plus a $39 monthly charge. This service turns your car into a Wi-Fi hotspot. No need to rely on cellular towers to guarantee continued connectivity.

At the moment, I'll still have to rely on my slower smart phone to surf the web. But we are not too far away from being able to surf the internet on the road.

Tell Us:Do you miss your connectivity while on the road? What would you use your on-the-road internet connection for? Leave us a comment below.

Links:

Web Portals on Wheels  (Edmunds)

Chrysler Plans In-Car Web Access This Year (The Washington Post)

BMW to offer full in-car Web access (Crave)

Chrysler's new technology for 2009 (Autoblog)