Mixed reality
Rumor has it that Volvo Cars and Microsoft will jointly develop next generation automotive technologies. The two companies have revealed how Microsoft HoloLens, a wearable, fully untethered, holographic computer, might be used in the future to redefine how customers first encounter and explore a car, as well as how cars might be bought and sold. Areas of future collaboration between the two companies could include autonomous driving technologies and the utilization of data generated from connected cars to create new services. A HoloLens demonstration recently conducted at Microsoft’s global headquarters in Redmond, Wash., showed how HoloLens-generated holograms can be used to configure cars in three dimensions. Consumers will be able to rely on a mixed reality to explore the colors or rims, or get a better understanding of the features, services and options available, and essentially choose their ideal car.
The hope is that HoloLens technology will also liberate dealers from more traditional sales environments and allow them to take a car configurator out on the road in small pop-up stores, shopping malls or on the high street, opening up new sales channels and introducing cars to a far larger potential audience. Volvo and Microsoft anticipate a long-term cooperation between the two companies, leading to a range of new technologies, including autonomous driving via connected cars.
Other areas of cooperation are expected to include how information gathered by cars and their drivers can be used to enhance the driving experience, and the possibility of using predictive analytics to improve safety.
Green car of the year
The second-generation 2016 Chevrolet Volt, an all-new and significantly improved version of the automaker’s extended-range electric vehicle that first made an appearance in 2011, has been named Green Car Journal’s 2016 Green Car of the Year®. Other finalists for the 2016 Green Car of the Year® award include the Audi A3 e-tron, Honda Civic, Hyundai Sonata, and Toyota Prius.
Green Car Journal editors point out that the 2016 Volt has improved in several ways, including more energy-dense batteries, new electric motors and quicker acceleration. It features a more efficient 1.5-liter engine-generator that creates on-board electricity to power the Volt’s motors for a total 420 miles. Among its most important achievements is an increase to 53 miles of driving exclusively on batteries. An increasing number of vehicle models are considered for the Green Car of the Year® program each year, a reflection of the auto industry’s expanding efforts to offer new vehicles with higher efficiency and improved environmental impact.
Green Car Journal has been honoring the most important green vehicles every year at the LA Auto Show, since its inaugural award announced at the show in 2005. The Green Car of the Year® is selected through a majority vote by a jury that includes celebrity auto enthusiast Jay Leno, plus leaders of noted environmental and efficiency organizations including Jean-Michel Cousteau, president of Ocean Futures Society. During the award’s vetting process, Green Car Journal editors consider all vehicles, fuels and technologies as they narrow potential candidates down to a group of five. Finalists are selected for their achievements in raising the bar in environmental performance.
Many factors are considered, including efficiency, EPA and CARB emissions certification, performance characteristics, newness and affordability. Availability to the mass market is important to ensure honored models have the potential to make a real difference in environmental impact, and finalists must be available for sale by January of the award year. Last year’s Green Car of the Year winner® was the BMW i3.
Commercial green car of the year
Green Car Journal has named the Ram ProMaster City its 2016 Commercial Green Car of the Year ®. This award represents a back-to-back recognition for Ram brand. The 2015 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel won Green Truck of the Year for its best-in-class 29 MPG fuel economy rating. The 2016 Ram ProMaster City is Ram’s newest addition to its commercial vehicle lineup and contributes to the expanding, purpose-built van segment with a number of best-in-class, functional elements tied directly to commercial customer demand. The 2016 Ram ProMaster City aggressively competes in the compact Class 1 van segment with a focus on commercial customer needs and total cost of ownership. Ram ProMaster City standard features, include:
- 178 horsepower and 174 lb.-ft. of torque.
- Payload: 1,883 pounds.
- Cargo volume: 131.7 cubic feet.
- 21 miles per gallon (mpg) city, standard 29 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined.
- Powertrain warranty: five year/60,000 miles.
Available in Tradesman cargo or five-passenger wagon variations, the Ram ProMaster City is based on the Fiat Doblo, a two-time International Van of the Year winner with more than 1.3 million units sold.
Top 10
Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com) a vehicle valuation and information source, has assembled its list of the 10 best lease, financing and cash-back deals for new cars, available from a variety of auto manufacturers.
Lease Deals
| Rank | Year | Make | Model | MSRP | Kelley Blue Book® Fair Purchase Price | Lease Term (months) | Monthly Payment | Amount Due at Signing |
| 1 | 2016 | Honda | CR-V | $24,495 | $23,025 | 39 | $229/month | $299 down |
| 3 | 2015 | Honda | Civic | $20,125 | $17,730 | 38 | $200/month | $0 down |
| 5 | 2015 | Kia | Optima | $22,515 | $21,083 | 39 | $189/month | $1,999 down |
| 7 | 2015 | Lexus | RX 350 | $41,910 | $38,352 | 36 | $399/month | $2,399 down |
Cash Back, Financing Deals
| Rank | Year | Make | Model | MSRP | Kelley Blue Book®
Fair Purchase Price |
Cash Back or Financing Deal |
| 2 | 2015 | Chevrolet | Volt | $35,170 | $32,483 | $1,500 cash back + 0% financing for 60 months |
| 4 | 2015 | Ford | F-150 | $40,620 | $37,086 | $3,750 cash back |
| 6 | 2015 | Honda | Odyssey | $29,875 | $26,448 | 0.9% financing for 60 months |
| 8 | 2015 | Chevrolet | Impala | $30,960 | $29,105 | 0% financing for 60 months |
| 9 | 2015 | Chevrolet | Tahoe | $50,995 | $47,696 | $1,000 cash back |
| 10 | 2015 | Chevrolet | Corvette | $59,995 | $54,937 | 3.9% financing for 60 months |