4 Top Plug-in Hybrids, Tested

The big fear of drivers of electric vehicles? Getting stranded with a dead battery. But what if you could bring a charger along with you? That's the idea of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), which offers electric-only power for short daily ­commutes, backed up by a gasoline engine that ­provides propulsion for longer distances. It seems like a win-win—the eco-friendliness of an EV with no range restrictions. Depending on your driving habits, you could go weeks or months without filling up at a gas station, and electricity is about one-third the cost per mile of petroleum. Of course, critics note that a lot of that energy for charging a car comes from coal or natural gas electricity, not renewable sources. And when running on gasoline a plug-in can't match the fuel economy of a conventional gas–electric hybrid or even a fuel-efficient economy car. Plus, those extra batteries are expensive—the additional cost takes years to pay off in fuel savings.

Why, then, do carmakers even bother with plug-ins? Government mandates are a big reason. Starting with the 2015 model year, California requires that 3 percent of an automaker's sales in that state come from zero-emissions vehicles. And PHEVs play a big part in raising corporate average fuel economy numbers, so they have a role in nearly every automaker's future product plans. What's certain is that we're going to see more PHEVs on the market in the coming years. Do they offer the best of both worlds, or are they boondoggles aimed purely at satisfying government regulations?

To find out, we took a car from each of the four brands that currently have plug-ins on the showroom floor: Chevrolet, Ford, Toyota, and Honda, which sells its PHEV Accord only in California and New York. Starting from our Manhattan offices, we drove highways and back roads up to Monticello, N.Y., and tested straight-line performance at the ­Monticello Motor Club. Then we put each vehicle through a maximum-range city-driving loop with the climate control and radio off. For that last test only the Volt guarantees full-time electric operation; the other three kick in the gasoline engine under situations such as full throttle or high speeds. With careful driving we still kept up with traffic in the other three without the use of the gas engines, so our results reflect electric-only power. Only the Prius was a disappointment; the rest offer a rewarding driving experience and are a compelling preview of a piece of the automotive future.

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Nick Ferrari

2013 Ford Fusion Energi SE

Ranking: ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Base price/as tested: $39,495/$40,585

Federal tax incentive: $3751

l x w x h: 191.8 x 72.9 x 58.0 inches

Wheelbase: 112.2 inches

Curb weight: 3957 pounds

Hybrid Mode MPG: 44.0 (EPA highway) / 41.0 (EPA city) / 36.0 (PopMech observed)

EV Mode Range (Miles): 21.0 (EPA city) / 24.5 (PopMech observed)

Charge Time (Hours): 7 (120v) / 2.5 (240v)

Total Energy to Charge (kWh): 7.39

Likes: The glowing ring on the charge port that indicates the battery level is a nice addition to the Fusion's futuristic looks. Inside, the reconfigurable instrument cluster shows exactly what's going on with all the components of the powertrain. This is one of the best brake pedals of any hybrid we've driven, with a natural feel and a seamless transition between regenerative mode and the physical brakes. The engine is equally smooth as it shuts on and off as needed to keep the fuel consumption low.

Dislikes: Compared with the 1.6-liter EcoBoost Fusion in our last test, the Energi feels underpowered, and the continuously variable transmission lags in adjusting revs after a dip of the throttle. Batteries eat up half of the trunk, leaving only 8 cubic feet of storage.

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Nick Ferrari

2013 Chevrolet Volt

Ranking: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½

Base price/as tested: $39,995/$43,375

Federal tax incentive: $7500

l x w x h: 177.1 x 70.4 x 56.6 inches

Wheelbase: 105.7 inches

Curb weight: 3761 pounds

Hybrid Mode MPG: 35.0 (EPA highway) / 40.0 (EPA city) / 35.0 (PopMech observed)

EV Mode Range (Miles): 38.0 (EPA city) / 48.5 (PopMech observed)

Charge Time (Hours): 10.0 (120v) / 4.0 (240v)

Total Energy to Charge (kWh): 13.35

Likes: When the batteries have juice the Volt runs completely fuel-free. Even when the gasoline engine kicks in, it usually acts as a generator and revs independent of how you push the gas (at highway speeds the engine helps drive the wheels as well), so the electric-driving sensation is ever present. With the Volt's low center of gravity and sharp reflexes, we found ourselves growing fonder of the Chevy with each passing mile.

Dislikes: An open hatchback body makes for a noisy cabin, and when the engine kicks on at low speeds the exhaust note buzzes annoyingly. Capacitive-touch controls on the center console lack response and tactile feedback. Gas-powered fuel economy is the worst of the group.

2014 Honda Accord Plug-In

Ranking: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½

Base price/as tested: $40,570/$40,570

Federal tax incentive: $3626

l x w x h: 193.5 x 72.8 x 57.7 inches

Wheelbase: 109.3 inches

Curb weight: 3783 pounds

Hybrid Mode MPG: 47.0 (EPA highway) / 46.0 (EPA city) / 39.0 (PopMech observed)

EV Mode Range (Miles): 13.0 (EPA city) / 15.4 (PopMech observed)

Charge Time (Hours): 3.0 (120v) / 1.0 (240v)

Total Energy to Charge (kWh): 3.99

Likes: With the most responsive powertrain and quickest steering reactions, the Accord feels a lot like the lighter, non-Hybrid version. An upright seating position and excellent visibility add to overall comfort. Seat fabric made of eco-friendly plant-based materials increases the green appeal. And the Accord gives the highest miles-per-charging-hour performance, with short intervals to top off the battery.

Dislikes: The battery pack chops cargo space down to 9 cubic feet. During highway cruising we felt a noticeable bump when the powertrain switched between gas power and electric regeneration. Driving information is spread all over the instrument cluster, making for the most confusing display in the test.

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Nick Ferrari

2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In

Ranking: ★ ★ ★

Base price/as tested: $32,795/$33,098

Federal tax incentive: $2500

l x w x h: 176.4 x 68.7 x 58.7 inches

Wheelbase: 106.3 inches

Curb weight: 3186 pounds

Hybrid Mode MPG: 51.0 (EPA highway) / 49.0 (EPA city) / 46.7 (PopMech observed)

EV Mode Range (Miles): 11 (EPA city) / 12.2 (PopMech observed)

Charge Time (Hours): 2.5 (120v) / 1.5 (240v)

Total Energy to Charge (kWh): 3.09

Likes: If you're a driver who wants a hybrid to feel different from a normal ride, Toyota has the car for you. From the Star Trek shuttle-pod looks to the sweeping dashboard and toggle-lever gear selector, the Prius is distinctive in a most refreshing way. And it kicks back the best fuel economy in gasoline driving.

Dislikes: The Prius is no fun to drive. The steering and brakes are numb, the engine groans, and the car is so sluggish that it feels like it's dragging a boat anchor. This is also the loudest interior, letting in all manner of road and wind commotion. Our ­biggest issue: Limited EV range means the Prius Plug-In isn't a substantive improvement over the standard Prius, which costs less and has higher mpg ratings.

Our First Look at the 2014 Toyota Corolla

The Toyota Corolla has been on the market for a staggering 47 years, meaning the compact is barely younger than automotive icons such as the Porsche 911 (50 years) and Ford Mustang (49 years). The long-lived but pedestrian Corolla may not have cachet of those sports cars, but it may be more successful. Toyota says it has sold close to 40 million of them. And even though the outgoing 10th-generation Corolla has been on American roads for nearly half a decade, Toyota sold more than 260,000 of them last year, beating the Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, and Chevrolet Cruze. Not bad for the oldest car in the compact class. 

As popular as the Corolla might be, it was certainly time for a remake. The 11th generation, unveiled this week at an event in Santa Monica, Calif., brings a clean-sheet redesign to the Corolla nameplate. Underneath the crisp, modern bodywork is a new chassis that stretches the wheelbase by close to 4 inches to boost interior space. And yet the front and rear overhangs are shorter, so the overall look is more taut. Extensive use of high-strength steel has kept the weight below 2900 pounds, no matter how much optional equipment a buyer selects. In our recent test of compact sedans, not one of the Corolla's competitors managed to tip the scales at less than 2900 pounds, so that's an impressive number. 

 

Those with a thirst for serious thrust probably won't be lining up for the 2014 Corolla. Under the hood sits either the standard 132-hp 1.8-liter four-cylinder from the previous Corolla, or a new 140-hp version of the same engine with more sophisticated valvetrain technology. That top engine is more efficient—it comes in the LE Eco grade paired to a new continuously variable transmission (CVT) that is said to minimize the rubber band feel of traditional CVTs. 

Underneath every Corolla are strategically placed aero panels to help reduce turbulence and increase fuel economy. The company says all this new tech will help Eco-badged Corollas to surpass 40 mpg on the highway. A six-speed manual is available on L and S grades. And speaking of the S grade, there is a Sport button that recalibrates the throttle as well as the electric power steering. 

 

Toyota says the 2014 Corolla is the first compact car to be equipped with standard LED headlights (yet, oddly, the Corolla still uses drum rear brakes on all but the S model). In fact, there's plenty of equipment here that used to be the reserved for more expensive cars, such as pushbutton start, touchscreen infotainment with rear backup camera, and, yes, even paddle shifters. Paddle shifters might seem out of place in the current somnolent Corolla, but the new car could be sporty enough for them to make sense. We'll reserve final judgment until we can climb behind the wheel later this year
.

Wootch is a child locator hidden inside of a watch

Being a parent is a lot of work. There are times where you need a few extra hands, and another pair of eyes. Unfortunately, if you don’t have anyone else around, extra appendages are hard to come by. Thankfully, there are plenty of gadgets out there that can help with some of the issues that can come up while trying to raise a child (or two).

If you’ve ever taken your child out to the store, and lost sight of them, you truly understand what it means to panic. Despite being a good parent and keeping constant watch over them, children can disappear around a corner in the blink of an eye. This type of scenario is exactly what the Wootch was created.

The Wootch looks like nothing more than a brightly-colored digital watch for children. However, it’s more than just a portable timepiece. The watch also houses a Bluetooth transmitter that will talk to your smartphone, and let you know exactly where your child is. Should they get more than 16 feet away, you will actually get an alert on your phone, letting you know that they’ve wandered off too far. Finally, there’s a “FindMe” button, that your child can press, that sends an alert to your phone.

I think that this concept is brilliant. Sure, some people will say that good parents won’t ever lose track of their children, but those people are simply underestimating how sneaky a kid can really be. What I think is so great is that the device is hidden in plain sight as a watch. All you need to do is get your child in the habit of wearing their watch whenever you take them out of the house. And should the worst happen and someone abducts a child wearing one of these, they won’t think to remove the watch, so there’s a better chance of the child hitting the “FindMe” button, and being found quickly. You can get your own by funding the IndieGoGo project, and pledging just $30.

Kisai Neutron watch is activated with the flick of your wrist

What you wear can say a lot about yourself. Some people might not put much thought into what they put on in the morning, but if you spend a lot of your day interacting with people, there’s a good chance that you’ll take a few extra minutes to make sure that you look good. Of course, if you’re heading off to work, there are additional things to consider. But regardless of the look you’re going for, there is one thing that is always fashionable to wear. A watch.

TokyoFlash is a company that has set themselves apart from the competition by creating unique designs for their watches. The new Kisai Neutron is no exception to this. This is one of the rare watches that displays numbers rather plainly, and doesn’t require a brief explanation of how to read it. But that still doesn’t mean that it looks like any other timepiece you’ve seen before.

The Neutron’s face looks like some sort of grate, when not lit up. However, once you’ve activated it, you’ll see the individual bars light up to display the numbers that make up the time. What’s interesting is that you can activate the face in one of two ways. You can be boring and press a button on the side, or you can turn on the motion sensor. For the latter, you’ll simply need to flick your wrist, and the time will magically appear. This unique watch features a USB-rechargeable battery, and will set you back $139.

6-in-1 Tire Pressure Gauge Multi-Tool

Do you plan to do a whole lot of traveling later this summer? If you have answered in the affirmative, then perhaps it is time you did all the necessary (should you hit the road and not take any flights, that is) preparations beforehand so that your travels will be stress-free. Other than sending your car to the local mechanic for a thorough check up and servicing, making sure that the four tires on your ride are in prime condition – and that would include ensuring it has the proper air pressure within. A handy tool to have would be the $9.99 6-in-1 Tire Pressure Gauge Multi-Tool.

Some have said that this is a must-have tool for drivers, where it comprises of half a dozen tools for you to use each time you hit the road. To ensure that it remains with you all the time, just clip it to your keys, or if you think that doing so is not necessary, how about tossing it to the glove box? The 6-in-1 Tire Pressure Gauge Multi-Tool tips the scales at a mere 0.2lbs, where it sports a tire pressure gauge, tread depth gauge, LED flashlight, bottle opener, flat screwdriver, and key ring with quick release. The LED flashlight itself has been rated for 100,000 hours, which should be more than enough to last you your entire lifetime.

Building Brick Mug

The great pyramids of Giza were built block by block on the backs of slaves, but since we live in a modern day world where such slavery is no longer that obvious in our reality, and we humans still have this innate need to build stuff, here is the £19.99 Building Brick Mug that ought to satisfy all of your building urges. I guess you can say that the Building Brick Mug would make for a decent cornerstone of any drink time, no? It will play nice with a wide variety of building bricks, including LEGO, PixelBlocks, Mega Bloks, KRE-O or K’NEX Bricks,

I suppose having one of these bad boys would make life a whole lot more productive at the office, and it will also be easier to pass your time there. After all, you might just find the solution to your work problem right in front of you as building your own design on your favorite mug with your favorite coffee brew inside might result in an eureka moment. Do bear in mind that you will need to provide your very own building bricks though, with your imagination being the limit.

Monkey King ThL W11 is first 13-megapixel front cameraphone in the world

When it comes to high end smartphones, you can be sure that there is quite a fair number to choose from. Sony has their flagship Xperia Z, while Samsung rocks on with the fourth iteration of the Galaxy S series in the form of the Samsung Galaxy S4. As for HTC, the company might not be doing too hot in the past few quarters, but this does not mean that they are left behind the race. In fact, their HTC One has made quite an impressive splash in recent months, and there is also LG with the Optimus G Pro, Nokia with their Lumia 1020, while China-based Oppo has their high end Find 7 model. While these tend to have a camera which works pretty great, so much so that they can even double up as a replacement for your regular digital camera under most casual circumstances, the front-facing camera does capture decent self portraits, but they aren’t enough when it comes to the amount of pixels. ThL of China hopes to deliver far better looking self portraits, with the Monkey King ThL W11 touted to be the first 13-megapixel front camera smartphone in the world.



Just what kind of hardware can we find underneath the hood? Well, the Monkey King ThL W11 will run on the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean operating system for starters, where it will be powered by a quad-core 1.5GHz MT6589 processor, sporting rendering speeds of up to 357MHz, a 5” Full HD IPS display, 2GB RAM, 32GB ROM, and a 2,100mAh battery.

Sure, the front-facing camera might sport a whopping 13-megapixels, making this up the ante by a whole bunch, but the back at 13-megapixels is not going to impress anyone since smartphone cameras these days do come with a pretty high sizeable count. Still, it is enough to take more than decent photos, although we do hope that the quality of the software to process the images taken will be up to par. There will be no LTE connectivity with the Monkey King ThL W11 however, as it maxes out at 3G. No idea on pricing or availability, though.

ReLax Kit announced

In this day and age, those of us who are seemingly stuck in the proverbial rat race would need to find our own ways of winding down, or at the very least, lowering the amount of stress in our lives through various means, be they exercising, indulging in a hobby, or even going for a nice, long holiday at a tropical island somewhere. Well, perhaps there is something else that you might want to look into – the ReLax Kit which is said to be able to monitor the wearer’s brain waves and body posture among others. The ReLax Kit delivers advanced bio-signal tracking, where this would pave the way for users to monitor and manage their stress levels. Not only that, the ultra-compact bio-sensor is diminutive enough to stash away without looking too conspicuous. Armed with an easy-to-use app, the kit itself can assist users to gain control over their stress levels.

If one were to be more exact, the ReLax Kit has been specially geared towards those who are attempting to gauge their stress levels in a simplified and visual manner, and these can include even students (yes, you don’t know just how much stress students go through these days), office workers, and yoga and meditation enthusiasts. The ReLax Kit’s bio-sensor is versatile enough, it is capable of monitoring facial muscle tension, body posture, and brain waves regardless of what time of the day it is, and whether you are sleeping or getting a spot of meditation in.

Not only that, the kit’s app will also be able to display compiled brain wave and facial muscle wave data, all presented in an easy-to-read color-coded graph. With but a glance at the graph, one is able to quickly determine one’s stress levels. It might take time, but with enough experience and practice, one will be able to figure out how to control or influence the output toward a desired direction. Apart from that, the ReLax Kit’s app will also show off a visual history of a user’s body posture, which would come in handy to raise one’s poor posture awareness. The ReLax Kit can be pre-ordered for $47 a pop.

Flood Force Water Cannon never needs to be refilled

Summer is in full force, which means everyone is trying to find creative ways to beat the heat. This is especially important if you have kids, because you want them to be outside having fun, but you don’t want them to get overheated. One of my favorite past times involves a group of friends shooting each other with squirt guns. The only downside to this fun was that you had to keep stopping to refill them. But what if you had a squirt gun that never needed refilling?

This Flood Force Water Cannon from Swimways is like a squirt gun that has an unlimited ammo supply. The only downside is that you’ll need to be in a pool to take advantage of that feature. However, it does have a reservoir, should you want to emerge from the water and track down someone to soak. Otherwise, just make sure that the base is submerged, and crank away at the handle to ensure that everyone within range is just as wet as you are.

This fun toy is a cheap way to have some summer fun, at just $15. Unfortunately that doesn’t include the cost of the swimming pool that you’ll need to enjoy it to its fullest. You’ll have to buy that separately.

Chevy sedan shakes off rental-car stigma

The good: The 2014 Chevrolet Impala LT boasts a potent 305 horsepower V6 engine and a ride that emphasizes comfort over sportiness. The standard MyLink infotainment system boasts a full array of digital audio sources. OnStar is much better integrated with other vehicle systems than in previous generations.

The bad: MyLink system was sluggish to respond to inputs, and even more so was the navigation portion. Packaging forces many unneeded options onto the buyer.

The bottom line: It may look like a high-strung sports sedan, but the 2014 Chevrolet Impala LT is all about pampering its driver with a comfortable ride without breaking the bank. The new MyLink tech isn't the best in this class, but it gets the job done.

MSRP:$29,950.00LOW PRICE:$29,950.00

• Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price From Edmunds.com
  $29,950.00

"You're driving an Impala this week, eh? Yeah, I rented one of those on my last vacation/business trip/etc.," said everyone I ran into (not like that) when testing the 2014 Chevrolet Impala LT2 this week. It seems that everyone I know has rented one, but no one actually knows anyone that owns one. This experience is anecdotal, of course, but it certainly isn't a good thing for the classic American nameplate.

For 2014, the Impala reaches the market with a new look and a new high-tech message that I think is a big step in the right direction. There's nothing dull about the the Impala's new angry face and the muscular proportions inject the nameplate with a healthy dose of machismo that's been missing since the Impala was neutered to a FF platform back in 2000.

Parked side-by-side at a local strip mall, the 2014 Impala is more memorable than the Camry or Accord, more menacing than the Mazda6 and Taurus. Stylistically speaking, this comeback is off to a very good start.

New generation MyLink infotainment
Dating back to 1958, the Impala is Chevrolet's second-oldest nameplate (preceded only by the Corvette), so I find it amusing that it is the model that ushers in the newest generation of Chevrolet's MyLink infotainment technology.

This 8-inch touch-screen cabin tech package checks many of the right boxes where connectivity and customization are concerned and even leaves a lot of room for expansion down the line. For example, the icons on the home screen can be reorganized by holding and dragging just like you can on your smartphone, as more features are added -- for example, if Chevrolet adds a new app partner later this year -- the main menu expands to multiple home screens that can be swiped between like an iPhone with eight, large, tappable icons per page.

The icons on the MyLink home screen can be reordered by dragging, just like on a smartphone.

Out of the box, you get access to three USB ports -- two in the center console and one behind the motorized touch screen that rises at the touch of a button to reveal a cubby hole for your sunglasses, smartphone, a box of animal crackers, or whatever. There's also an SD card slot, a 3.5mm analog auxiliary input, Bluetooth for audio and hands-free calling, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, and HD Radio tuning for the terrestrial FM band. We're also given control of the Pandora Internet Radio app on a connected smartphone, if installed, with the ability to browse custom stations, rate songs with a thumbs-up or -down, and bookmark artists or songs for later retrieval.

Let's also not forget the OnStar telematics system, which is now fully integrated into the infotainment system, rather than presenting itself as a totally separate system, and comes with a six-month trial for the full suite of services, including emergency crash response, remote services like door unlocking, concierge services, and turn-by-turn directions.

There's also a small, full-color information display in the instrument cluster that provides at a glance access to navigation directions, hands-free calling info, vehicle settings, and more using steering wheel controls.

As I said, the system checks a lot of the right boxes, even in its unoptioned form, but there are a few issues. For example, one of the system's features was the ability to store shortcuts to pretty much any part of interface using virtual preset buttons that popped up along the lower edge of the screen, but this strip of faux buttons appeared inconsistently -- sometimes ever-present, such as when listening to radio, and other times nowhere to be found.

Additionally, I found the system to be remarkably sluggish between my inputs and, at times, pretty unresponsive. It's remarkable how annoying a second or three of lag between a screen tap and a system response can be, but these are fast times that we live in and I expect my tech to be as quick on the draw as I am -- particularly at 70 mph. However, the most heinously laggy bit of the MyLink system was the optional navigation system.

Options, packages, and creature comforts
Out of the box, the 2014 Impala is well-equipped, but it's the options that truly characterize the cabin tech experience -- forming both its greatest strengths and weaknesses.

For example, the LT Navigation package is a $1,095 option that adds, well, navigation to the Chevy MyLink system, as well as keyless entry and push-button start. The interface looks good and all of the options and menus are laid out logically -- it's good to know that you won't get lost in the navigation system -- and the directions and routes returned by the system were generally pretty good.

The navigation system boasted good functionality, but was laggy and unresponsive to inputs.

However, like the rest of the MyLink system, the navigation system is sluggish and laggy. Hitting the map button upon entering the car, you'll have to wait as you watch a blank map load and be populated with streets, then 3D buildings. Searching for a destination, sometimes seconds would go by before I was allowed to start inputting search terms using the onscreen keyboard. If you started searching for a destination without first specifying a city, it could be a few beats between each letter of your search term while the autocomplete system presumably searched the entire state for restaurants that started with the letter "A" and then "Ar."

It was maddening, but there is another way: voice command. Whether you used the onboard voice recognition system or let OnStar do your destination entry, speaking to the car was usually very accurate and much faster than poking at its screen.

Cowboy-couture Ram boasts truckish tech

MSRP:$52,790.00LOW PRICE:$52,790.00

• Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price From Edmunds.com
  $52,790.00

The 3500 Laramie Longhorn is not shy about its modern cowboy aesthetic. Swing open its heavy door and step up on its running boards and you'll be greeted by an interior that is, well, a bit ridiculous.

Premium brown leather trims the Ram's seats with Longhorn-specific accents and contrasting piping meant to evoke the flourishes of a cowboy's boots. The designs, at first, appear to be stitched, but closer inspection reveals that the leather was likely laser-etched, allowing the detailing to sit flush with the smooth leather. On the backs of the seats you'll find saddle bag-inspired storage areas. The floor mats are molded to look like barbed wire.

The chunky shape and flow of the dashboard and steering wheel remind me a great deal of the Chrysler 300, only larger and more spread out for the truck's cabin. Along the top of the dashboard is more brown leather with contrast stitching. Here and there you'll find chrome accents and even a bit of wood trim on the center stack, door panels, and steering wheel.

The Laramie Longhorn interior is inspired by saddles and cowboy boots.

Even if the western theme isn't your cup of iced tea, you sort of have to appreciate the commitment to a theme and the attention to detail that's gone into the 3500 Laramie Longhorn's cabin. Sure, there are a few odd bits here, some ugly hard plastic there, but largely the Longhorn pulls off the look. It's sort of hard not to like it.

Standard Uconnect tech
In addition to having seats that look like cowboy boots and a giant "3500 Laramie Longhorn" belt buckle on its door, the Longhorn is also a luxury trim level that comes loaded with cabin amenities: heated and ventilated seats with power adjustment and multiple memory positions, a heated steering wheel, even heated second-row seats. The steering wheel doesn't telescope, but the pedals are power-adjustable.

Okay, so I'm talking a lot about seats again, but this Ram's dashboard is also packed with some interesting technology, including the newest generation of the Uconnect infotainment and navigation system. Built around an 8.4-inch color touch screen, this system features large icons along the bottom edge of its interface for the seven major functions.

Jumping into the middle of that row, we'll find a button for navigation. Previous generations of the Uconnect system lifted their navigation system wholesale from Garmin and, when you pressed the nav button, the entire interface changed to look like a giant Garmin Nuvi in your dashboard, complete with its own menu system. I'd bet my hat that in this new version of Uconnect the maps and routing algorithms are still provided by Garmin, but the entire system has been reskinned and reorganized to integrate seamlessly with the rest of the infotainment interface. I've used enough navigation devices over the years to recognize the menu structure, but if you weren't looking for it you wouldn't even notice the rebranding.

The navigation system has been redesigned to better match the rest of the Uconnect interface.

Routing is quick once a destination is chosen, but I found the points-of-interest search and onscreen keyboard used for address input to both be extremely laggy and sluggish. The most likely culprit is some sort of background search or autocomplete algorithm slowing down the system, but I can't be sure. You're going to want to take your time inputting a destination while you're parked. Actually, you won't have a choice, as the system doesn't accept keyboard input when the vehicle is in motion.

The Uconnect system does include touch-screen controls for the climate control systems for the cabin and seats, but I love that there are easily accessed physical controls beneath the screen as well.

The Uconnect Apps menu is a bit misnamed as the apps available are more like telematics services. We were able to access and add features such as 911 assistance, voice text messaging, remote door unlocking, and Yelp connected search for destinations, all using the Uconnect system's 3G data connection. You can also add Wi-Fi hot-spot connectivity to the vehicle right from the in-dashboard Uconnect App Store for $9.99 per day, $19.99 per week, or $34.99 per month.

Right now Uconnect telematics and Yelp destination search are the only apps I could find, but more are coming soon.

More apps, including Pandora, Aha by Harman, iHeartRadio, and Slacker, will be available from the Uconnect App Store soon through the new Uconnect Access via Mobile service.

Audio sources selectable with the Uconnect system include two USB ports with iPod connectivity, a 3.5mm analog auxiliary input, and an SD card slot located beneath the armrest in a sort of media hub. You also get Sirius XM satellite radio and terrestrial HD Radio. Standard Bluetooth enables voice-commanded hands-free calling and audio streaming from a paired smartphone.

Interestingly, a CD player is not among that list of standard options -- it'll cost you an additional $195 to drop a single-disc slot into the center console. When a pickup truck is too high-tech for a CD player, you know the format is dead.

The media hub beneath the arm rest houses the digital-audio connections.

Audio from whatever source you chose is played through an Alpine-branded premium surround-sound audio system with nine speakers and 506 watts of amplification. I like the sound coming out of those speakers and sub, which is sufficient to overpower the big ol' engine and exhaust that we'll get to later.

Pull the column shifter into reverse and the 8.4-inch screen displays a rear view of the area behind complete with a dynamic trajectory overlay that moves with the steering wheel. There are also audible proximity sensors that beep as you approach obstructions while parking, but I'd love to see the Ram's high-tech dashboard include some sort of around-view camera system like what we saw on the 2013 Range Rover or Nissan Pathfinder.

About the only tech options aside from the CD player are a $995 power sunroof, $395 for automatic high beams and rain-sensing windshield wipers, and $150 for a rear-window defroster. Everything else that I've mentioned so far is standard.

Horsepower for horse people
As the badge on the front fender proclaims, you'll find a 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel engine beneath the Ram's tall hood. You may assume that a truck this big would be packing a V-8 -- I know I did -- but the hunk of metal that powers this vehicle only has six pistons arranged in an inline configuration. With a per-cylinder displacement of just over 1.1 liters, those have got to be some pretty big pistons.

Toyota thinks pink to brighten frumpy facade

TOKYO -- If Toyota chief Akio Toyoda wants to make more head-turning cars, he'll certainly succeed with this one.

In September, Toyota will start selling a hot pink Toyota Crown -- a top end Japan sedan typically favored by the over-50 set, mid-cap corporate executives and livery companies, and habitually fielded in a pulse-quelling hearse-black finish.

It's a big gambit for a 14th-generation nameplate that usually elicits yawns from onlookers, if they notice it at all.

Toyota Motor Corp. is taking orders only from Sept. 1-30, and only in Japan. So act fast if you look pretty in pink.

The electric-fuchsia Crown actually debuted last November to shock the public into noticing the redesign. Toyota's designers also outfitted the latest redo with a huge Darth Vader grille.

The grille stayed. But the color was supposed to be a one-off.

At the redesign launch event, Toyoda feigned embarrassment at the flamboyant flamingo parked next to him on stage.

In truth, the car symbolized Toyoda's personal directive to his stylists to take more risks with polarizing designs.

"My initial reaction was: 'You're kidding! Please, not pink,'" he told reporters. "But being reborn does mean new challenges."

The pink Crown later appeared in a line of Japanese TV commercials featuring French actor Jean Reno.

But after much public shock and awe, Toyota sees another way to make green from pink: actually put the car on sale.

It will offer magenta paint jobs on two versions of the Crown Athlete G series, one with a hybrid powertrain, the other a V-6.

The V-6 starts at 5,130,000 yen ($51,400). Customers will have to pay extra to indulge their passion for pink, but Toyota won't announce how much more until closer to the start of orders.

12′ Inflatable Animated Spider

Halloween’s still some time in coming, but that does not mean your Boy Scouts instinct cannot kick in by being prepared all the time. After all, it is those who tend to make the earliest preparations be in the best position possible to handle whatever curve balls that life throws their way. Well, you have had enough of ghosts and ghouls being littered all over your front lawn and want something that is slightly different, then you might want to check out the $199.99 12′ Inflatable Animated Spider.



We are talking about a 12′-tall inflatable spider which ought to send those who suffer from arachnophobia scurrying away even from half a block down, as something this large, looming over your lawn, would definitely send chills down one’s spine. Not only that, it does not remain stationary at all, as it is capable of moving its gruesome looking 30″-wide head back and forth. The spider’s head will swivel 60º side-to-side, as though it is deciding on its next victim, and its eyes will be illuminated by a couple of integrated LEDs each, where these will change colors from a devilish red to a supernatural green from time to time. We’re glad to say that you need not use your lung power to inflate this bad boy, as it comes with a 4-watt air blower that offers constant inflation in under five minutes, ensuring that its eight legs remain spread all the time to either side.

Magellan Echo Smart Running Watch

So you are currently indulging in your daily exercise regime that has a careful balance of cardio as well as strength building sessions in order to keep up your fitness and maintain a prime physical condition regardless of your age. In the past, there weren’t too many tools that one was able to make use of in order to keep track of one’s progress, but fast forward to the 21st century, and we have a plethora of apps to accompany our smartphones as we pound the pavement or make like a hamster on a treadmill. Well, Magellan does not want to lose out on this market segment, having announced the Magellan Echo smart running watch which happens to be the company’s very first running watch that will make use of smartphone fitness apps to their full potential, where it is capable of wirelessly connecting them to your wrist.



Now that you are able to enjoy real-time fitness data that is streamed straight from your smartphone to the watch display, not to mention having the ability to remotely control connected apps, the Magellan Echo will ensure that you remain informed all the time, as well as remain in control regardless of the run.

Marking a first where a running watch is concerned, the Magellan Echo owner is able to simultaneously check out fitness data, notifications and achievements which are shown on your smartphone. Using Bluetooth Smart to hook up to your smartphone sans wires, the Magellan Echo will depict the elapsed time, distance and other fitness metrics with but a glance. Apart from that, the Magellan Echo will also ensure that users have control over a range of smartphone functions that will include start, stop or lap on your fitness app, apart from next song, play and pause on your music playlist.

Expect the Magellan Echo to be made available to the masses sometime in the fourth quarter of the year, with a recommended retail price of $149.99, or if you want it to arrive with a Bluetooth Smart Heart Rate Monitor, then do be prepared to fork out another $50.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 Student Edition for back-to-school spotters

Ah, parents would definitely love the “back to school” season, as this would mean their little ones (no matter how old a child gets, in the eyes of the parents, he or she would still be considered as “young” or “little”) will have to return to school and get out of their hair, and a more normal pattern of living is established. No more sleeping in late for them, and neither do they have the opportunity to stay up till the wee hours of the morning – it is a life of rigorous discipline, and it is time to score those grades that are required by Ivy League universities in order to gain entry into the hallowed hallways of their prestigious educational institutions. Well, Samsung intends to ride the tide with the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 Student Edition.

Just what can one expect from the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 Student Edition? Well, for starters, it will come with a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 tablet right out of the box, accompanied by a Desktop Dock as well as Bluetooth keyboard in order for students to create, share and store documents – apart from browsing the Web of course. Heck, a tablet is said to make life easier when one is tackling homework and needs all the possible tools in order to ace whatever exams that they,face.

Not only that, it is said that all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Now, we certainly do not want that to happen, do we? The moment one completes his or her homework, perhaps it is time to use the very same tablet to take some time off, and such recreational activities include watching movies or playing games on the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1′s 10-inch display. You can always make full use of the Samsung Media Hub or explore apps on Google Play with this tablet, and turn it into a TV remote thanks to the Smart Remote and built-in IR blaster. You can say that the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 Student Edition comes packed with content value, were it will include Polaris Office for homework purposes, an entire year’s worth of free of 50GB Dropbox storage, and three months worth of free of Hulu Plus for those boring moments. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 Student Edition is on sale for $349.99 a pop, resulting in you saving over $100 along the way.

Soundfreaq Sound Spot wireless home speaker

When it comes to wireless speakers, you can more or less say that these are dime a dozen. In fact, there are just so many different brands out there, that it can end up pretty difficult in making a purchase decision. Who knows, you might even end up more confused after checking out the numerous reviews online. Soundfreaq, a name that one would be familiar with where critically acclaimed line wireless speakers are concerned, has recently announced the launch of Sound Spot, which happens to be part of its repertoire of devices – coming in the small form factor that does not flinch when it comes to delivering impressive sound quality, and doing so sans wires courtesy of Bluetooth wireless connectivity.

Sporting a mid-century design inspiration, the Soundfreaq Sound Spot can offer a clean, modern look, one that is unique to other portable speakers, all the while ensuring that your carefully planned home décor plans are complemented. In fact, those who are interested in picking up the Soundfreaq Sound Spot can do so by choosing an all black model or one which comes in a wood-and-white design, retailing for $69 a pop. Of course, these are not the only colors available, since you can pick them up in other colors when summer comes to a close and fall kicks off.

Thanks to a custom-engineered, full-range driver and carefully tuned ported housing, the Sound Spot is acoustically balanced in a way where it can complement anyone’s musical taste thanks to Tone Control settings. The Sound Spot is more than ready in “traveling” just about anywhere around the home thanks to its diminutive form factor and integrated rechargeable lithium-ion battery that is said to last for up to seven hours of AC-free listening. Not only that, the Sound Spot will also boast of a USB power port, enabling you to power up your handsets even as the Sound Spot runs on battery power.

UpWrite desk adjusts to your height, and acts as a whiteboard

If you spend most of your day working at a desk, that generally means that you’re spending most of your day sitting in a chair. While that might seem great, especially if you have a rather comfortable chair, it’s not the best thing in the world for your body. That is why standing desks have started to become more and more popular in recent years.

UpWrite is a new adjustable-height desk that tries to be as versatile as you are. Whether you want to sit down, stand up, or even run on a treadmill while doing your work, this desk will accommodate you. The desk measures 60” x 30” and can reach a maximum height of 50.5 inches (if you choose to get the wheel kit, that will give you an extra 3 inches). Now if you’re worried about how difficult it might be to raise and lower the desk’s surface, you’ll be happy to know that there is a simple controller that you can use to set the height, and the desk will raise and lower itself.

This particular desk has one more trick up its sleeve. The top of the desk is actually one large whiteboard. Need to take a quick note, or draw something out as you’re thinking about it? No need to scramble around for some paper, just use a wet or dry erase marker and go to town on it. Unfortunately, the cost of this desk is going to turn heads for the wrong reasons. The $1,149 price tag isn’t terrible, when you consider that it automatically adjusts to the height you select. However, that does mean that the desk will cost more than the computer you’re using with it (for most people, at least).

BMW proves that it still makes sports cars

The good: An engine upgrade gives the 2013 BMW135is 320 horsepower and a 7,000rpm redline. It delivers an excellent exhaust note and handling is superb. An optional Technology package adds many connected features.

The bad: Without the Active Steering option, indifferent steering response lets the handling down. And without the Technology package, the radio display barely serves to show audio and phone information.

The bottom line: Although pricey, the 2013 BMW 135is is an incredibly fun little coupe for the driving enthusiast, yet remains well-mannered enough for an everyday commute.

MSRP:$43,250.00LOW PRICE:$43,250.00

• Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price From Edmunds.com
  $43,250.00

The 2013 BMW 135is restored my faith in "The Ultimate Driving Machine." Many years ago, I owned a 325is, of the E30 generation, which taught me what BMW was all about. But over the last few years, coinciding with the launch of the X6, the brand seemed to take a turn for the mundane, turning out cars tuned for the mass market rather than enthusiasts. After driving a particularly placid 3-series, I was beginning to fear the worst.

Now, the little 135is has convinced me that BMW still knows how to make a sports car.

Despite the 1 Series being BMW's smallest, entry-level car, it can be one of the most potent, and the best street performer in the lineup. At just over 14 feet long, the 135is comes to the U.S. in a coupe format, and includes two smallish rear seats. The Europeans also get a really nice-looking hatchback version, which BMW refuses to import.

The 135i, boasting BMW's excellent direct-injected and turbocharged 3-liter, six-cylinder engine, was already a little rocket. The addition of the "s" to the model name, something BMW has done occasionally through the decades, turns the car into a tuned-up street racer, with acceleration that won't quit and an exhaust note that will get your attention.

To make the 135is worthy of the extra letter, BMW reprogrammed the engine software, bringing the output up to 320 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. Likewise, a new traction control program allows for a little more play, and the suspension has been stiffened. On the completely unnecessary side, BMW adorns the 135is with little M badges, evoking the somewhat disappointing attempt at an M version of the 1 Series from a few years back.

Manual transmission
The model BMW sent to CNET was a purist's dream, with a manual transmission and no navigation system. Although the other transmission option is the truly excellent seven-speed twin clutch, which shaves 0.1 second from the zero-to-60-mph time, it was nice to get some driving time with the manual, which suits the 135is very well.

The gate exhibits what I think of as classic European smoothness. It precisely moves through the gears, but instead of feeling mechanical, there is a well-worn feel to each gear slot, as I imagine the giant gears of a centuries-old town clock would interlock. However, I'm not crazy about the flat-topped shift knob, as it feels too small for an adult's hand. Add an inch of height to it, and the knob would be a perfect pistol grip.

This six-speed manual shifts with precision and European smoothness.

I also rejoiced in the fact that the 135is had no buttons for Sport or Eco modes. Essentially, the 135is is always in Sport, and has no time for normal or Eco modes.

A purist might think, good, this is the way sports cars are meant to be: all mechanical with no technical tomfoolery. But don't fool yourselves, there is a lot of technology at work in this car; BMW just hides it well. First, there is the engine, a real marvel of engineering using precisely programmed variable valve timing and direct fuel injection, which bears as much resemblance to an old, carburetor push-rod engine as a Mac Pro does to a slide rule.

Instead of relying on a limited-slip differential to aid cornering, BMW applies programming to the rear brakes, selectively engaging each one to help the car rotate through the turns.

I was impressed that merely making a fast start, running up the engine revs for a good zero-to-60-mph run, caused the traction control warning to light up on the instrument cluster. Fortunately, traction control never seemed to interfere, and could also be turned off by pressing a button. Holding down that same button also turns off the Dynamic Stability Control, which is not advisable unless you are on a track that you know well.

As for acceleration, the 135is took off quickly, like any well-powered sports car. But its engine programming let it rev up to 7,000rpm, giving me more time in the lower gears. It hit 60 mph in second gear, just before hitting redline, and an upshift to third showed the 135is just had more to give.

Just about where most cars would give up, the 135is got another power bump, seeming to increase its rate of acceleration.

Engine software lets the 135is rev up to 7,000rpm.

The acceleration was accompanied by one of the best exhaust notes I've heard from a car in a long time. With the window down for maximum auditory stimulation, the exhaust growled aggressively under acceleration. Suddenly letting off the gas pedal resulted in a series of little backfires, as if the 135is had to somehow exhale all that power it had at the ready.

With the windows closed, the car's noise dampening reduces the exhaust note to a low, bass thrumming. It changed tone and tempo with the tachometer needle, making the car seem like an exotic, thereminlike instrument. Really, somebody should sample it.

The beauty of the 135is is that, even with its high-tempo acceleration, it is perfectly drivable in stop-and-go traffic. The manual transmission makes for a little more work when boring driving conditions prevail, but it shifts so well that I didn't mind. When you stop on an ascent, a hill-hold feature steps in to make taking off easier, too.