Skip to content

TechRepublic

  • Top Products Lists
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • Cloud
  • 5G
  • Big Data
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Top Products Lists
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • Cloud
  • 5G
  • Big Data
  • See All Topics
  • Sponsored
  • Newsletters
  • Forums
  • Resource Library
TechRepublic Premium
Join / Sign In
After Hours

Photos: Five weird, wonderful tech cars

By Bill Detwiler August 3, 2006, 9:00 PM PDT on Twitter billdetwiler

Image
1
of 5

2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
Photos: Five weird, wonderful tech cars

CNET

While still an emerging market, car tech has evolved to the point where upscale automakers now incorporate a standardized trifecta of cornerstone features, comprising GPS navigation, Bluetooth hands-free calling and the ability to play digital audio. But there’s still plenty of room for innovation, underlined by the fact that automotive design wizards are constantly churning out the weird and wonderful.rnrn

Whether these applications are comfort based, such as Toyota’s Plasmacluster air-cleaning ionizer; performance oriented, such as BMW’s magic M button, which conjures up an extra 100 horsepower; safety conscious, such as Infiniti’s Lane Departure warning and Audi’s Blind Spot Detection system; or just for visual effect, such as integration of Macromedia Flash in Jaguar’s navigation system, these systems are evidence that manufacturers are still pushing the boundaries of in-car gadgetry.

rnrn

1. 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid

rnrn

Editors’ rating: 9.0

rnrn

The good: The 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid is a comfortable, well-appointed sedan, equipped with a bevy of technology, from the economical hybrid propulsion system to a raft of standard in-car devices, including a Bluetooth interface and a premium audio system.

rnrn

The bad: The Camry’s optional GPS navigation unit struggles with voice commands and can lose its bearings when out of town. Alternating between power sources can lead to a jerky ride.

rnrn

The bottom line: Easy on the eyes and the pocketbook, user- as well as ecofriendly, the Toyota Camry Hybrid is a fitting front-runner in the new generation of hybrid sedans.

rnrn

Read CNET’s full review
rnWatch video review
rnSuggested price: $25,900.00

CNET
Photos: Five weird, wonderful tech cars

2. 2006 BMW M5 rnrn

Editors’ rating: 8.7

rnrn

The good: The 2006 BMW M5 packs a 500-horsepower wallop from its state-of-the-art V10 engine, with extensive electronic transmission and chassis controls complementing the power well. Interior appointments befit the upscale price tag and tech-oriented mission.

rnrn

The bad: The sequential manual gearbox (SMG) is best suited for the track but is the only choice available, thereby joining iDrive on the list of BMW “improvements” that can’t be avoided.

rnrn

The bottom line: The 2006 BMW M5 will appeal to cutting-edge speed demons who are willing and able to master new technologies. Once the transmission has been mastered, performance is stunning, with plenty of comfort features to boot.

rnrn

Read CNET’s full review
rnSee more photos
rnSuggested price: $81,200.00

Photos: Five weird, wonderful tech cars

5. 2007 Jaguar XK Coupe rnrn

Editors’ rating: 8.6

rnrn

The good: The 2007 Jaguar XK Coupe combines flowing, elegant design with robust performance and an impressive list of standard cabin tech, including Bluetooth hands-free, adaptive cruise control, and a revamped nav system.

rnrn

The bad:The Bluetooth in our test car didn’t work, and the XK’s standard sound system is disappointing for an $80K+ car.

rnrn

The bottom line: Great to drive and gorgeous to behold, the 2007 XK is also Jaguar’s most technically advanced model ever. Bluetooth is nice, but it would be nicer if it worked, and the XK’s stereo is far from being the cat’s meow.

rnrn

Read CNET’s review
rnWatch video review
rnSuggested price: $81,300

Photos: Five weird, wonderful tech cars

4. 2006 Infiniti M45 4dr Sedan (4.5L 8cyl 5A) rnrn

Editors’ rating: 8.3

rnrn

The good: Excellent LCD and Birdsview navigation; solid Bluetooth hands-free system; dedicated rear-seat entertainment system; clever backup camera.

rnrn

The bad: Rear-seat DVD monitor clobbers driver’s rear view; no live traffic data in navigation system; proprietary knob and screen interface takes time to master.

rnrn

The bottom line: The Infiniti M45 takes off with sporty performance but finishes a close second to the Acura RL in cutting-edge tech.

rnrn

Read CNET’s full review
rnWatch video review
rnSuggested price: $47,150.00

Photos: Five weird, wonderful tech cars

3. 2006 Audi Q7 rnrn

Users’ rating: 7.2

rnrn

The good: The Q7’s interior ambience and vehicle dynamics are pure Audi; you won’t find a truck anywhere in its genealogy. All examples at the press launch were equipped with air suspension, the panorama sunroof, Side Assist, and the rearview system.

rnrn

Its interior design is based on the Audi A6’s, with first-rate seat comfort for the front two rows and more space than expected for the third. Access is relatively painless. The panorama roof is positioned to give all occupants–even those in front–a great view of the sky.

rnrn

As in other Audis, the MMI control system is the interface to nearly every vehicle function. Its LCD screen serves multiple needs for both the navigation system and the backup system. It is bright and well protected from glare, and the directional overlay lines for the rearview are a major help when backing into tight spaces.rn

rnrn

The bad: A heavy vehicle plus a V-8 engine does not bode well for fuel economy, which is typical for a large SUV with EPA ratings of 14mpg (city) and 19mpg (highway). We saw 14mpg in a mixture of highway, secondary road, and dirt road driving.

rnrn

The bottom line: There are two markets for the 2007 Audi Q7. One is existing Audi owners who want an SUV. They’ll be an easy sell, as the Q7 is undoubtedly exactly what’s first on their wish list. The other–and potentially larger–market is conquest sales: people who want to upgrade from a Ford Explorer or a Chevy Tahoe and who may be considering many other vehicles. There are enough strong points to the Audi Q7 for it to be attractive to enough of those people for success, but industry trends and high fuel prices could pose problems for Audi.

rnrn

Read CNET’s preview
rnWatch video review

rnSuggested price: $59,900.00

  • After Hours
  • Account Information

    Share with Your Friends

    Photos: Five weird, wonderful tech cars

    Your email has been sent

Share: Photos: Five weird, wonderful tech cars
Image of Bill Detwiler
By Bill Detwiler
Bill Detwiler is the Editor for Technical Content and Ecosystem at Celonis. He is the former Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and previous host of TechRepublic's Dynamic Developer podcast and Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show.
  • Account Information

    Contact Bill Detwiler

    Your message has been sent

  • |
  • See all of Bill's content

TechRepublic Premium

  • TechRepublic Premium

    Office relocation checklist

    PURPOSE New office launches and site relocations run the range from straightforward to overly complex. For intricate, sophisticated new office deployments and larger site moves, TechRepublic Premium’s Office relocation checklist can help plan, monitor and execute such projects. From the checklist: LIST REQUIRED OF EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES Begin by creating a simple list of required ...

    Downloads
    Published:  May 25, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  May 26, 2023, 11:17 AM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Premium

    Onboarding and offboarding IT staff checklist

    PURPOSE Onboarding and offboarding employees requires careful attention. Otherwise, team members may receive insufficient permissions to perform their jobs or continue to have access long after their employment’s termination. Given the stakes, the problem is even worse when managing IT staff permissions, so it’s imperative that your company adopts a system to ensure consistency. Employees, ...

    Downloads
    Published:  May 24, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  May 25, 2023, 9:19 AM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Premium

    10 must-know Firefox tips

    PURPOSE TechRepublic Premium presents 10 tips for the Firefox open-source browser. Even if you only follow some of these, you’ll find your browser experience to be much improved. From the article: 1. USE CAUTION WITH ADD-ONS AND THEMES This is one of the first tips I always offer. I’ve seen web browsers with so many ...

    Downloads
    Published:  May 23, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  May 24, 2023, 6:46 PM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Premium

    Bring your own device policy

    PURPOSE The purpose of this Bring your own device policy from TechRepublic Premium is to provide requirements for BYOD usage and establish the steps that both users and the IT department should follow to initialize, support and remove devices from company access. These requirements must be followed as documented in order to protect company systems ...

    Downloads
    Published:  May 22, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  May 23, 2023, 7:26 PM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium

Services

  • About Us
  • Newsletters
  • RSS Feeds
  • Site Map
  • Site Help & Feedback
  • FAQ
  • Advertise
  • Do Not Sell My Information

Explore

  • Downloads
  • TechRepublic Forums
  • Meet the Team
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Resource Library
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • TechRepublic
  • TechRepublic on Twitter
  • TechRepublic on Facebook
  • TechRepublic on LinkedIn
  • TechRepublic on Flipboard
© 2023 TechnologyAdvice. All rights reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Property of TechnologyAdvice