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Genesis has teamed up with Google to provide better flexibility to its customers. Through the Genesis Connected services that have now been integrated with the voice automated Google Assistant, owners can now access vehicle functions through their smartphone.

The functions include Remote Start with Climate Control, Destination Search powered by Google, Remote Door Lock/Unlock and Stolen Vehicle Recovery, send a destination to the car’s navigation system and remotely activate the horn and lights.

Through the use of the Genesis app, the system works with the Google Assistant to allow control of various functions with simple voice commands or smartphone keyboard inputs. This would make it a lot more convenient for those who are always in a hurry.

Owners are able to send commands to their Genesis vehicles with the following methods:

  • Voice commands via the Assistant on Google Home
  • Voice commands via the Google Assistant on eligible Android phones or iPhones
  • Text commands via the Google Assistant on a smartphone

There’s nothing revolutionary about this tech, because the Genesis connected services has been around for a while. It’s only recently that the system has been integrated with Google’s ever useful voice assistant. And its method of operation is rather simple.

A link was developed by Genesis engineers to allow for the cross communication between its services and that belonging to Google. Once a customer has successfully linked his or her account, Remote Service commands can be sent to Genesis vehicles after the Google Assistant prompts owners for their Personal Identification Number (PIN).

Once connected, interaction is as simple as saying, “Ok, Google” via your smartphone or Google Home, and asking the assistant to start your car, as depicted in the following image:

The image below demonstrates using the Assistant on phones by locating and sending destinations directly to the Genesis navigation system:

If you are unable to use voice commands, especially in crowded places, the Genesis app allows you to type the commands via the Google Assistant interface on your smartphone. The following image shows how easy it is for to lock your vehicle:

Genesis is showcasing these new features along with the recently launched Genesis Virtual Guide during a demo at the second annual WIRED Store in Santa Monica from August 23 through September 4, 2017.

The Beetle, the most iconic and longest surviving nameplate in automotive history, will be celebrated by its fan base on the beach of Travemünde (German Baltic Sea). This year, marks the the 13th time that the Beetle Sunshine Tour has been held to date. And according to the organizers, the number of participants keeps growing each year.

Now, there are about 721 Beetles and original Beetles that are currently registered to take part, which the organizer and creator of the tour, Gabriele Kraft touts as being a new record. This year’s event is themed “Welcome to America” in celebration of how well received the various iteration of the nameplate were, including the original Beetle in the USA.

One of the highlights of this year’s celebrations, include a ‘converging rally’ where participants will drive their cars from different points to the meeting point at the Brügmanngarten festival meadow in Travemünde. A 560 PS Beetle GRC from the American GRC Rallycross series is also taking part in the rally.

Like many car events, the Beetle Sunshine Tour will be a fun-packed activity for the whole family with food, drinks and music on hand for added entertainment. Tourists, locals and fans alike are welcome to participate in the festivities and mingle with various celebrities including Karoline Schuch, Devid Striesow, Luna Schweiger and Sidney Hoffmann.

The original Beetle is beloved by many because it was a car for the people. Invisioned by Adolf Hitler as a cheap mode of transportation for the German masses, Ferdinand Porsche was tasked with building the iconic car. Several iterations and prototypes later, and the original Volkswagen was born.

Mind you, back then, the Beetle name was non-existent and the cars were referred to as the Volkswagen Type 1. In its home country of Germany, it was known as the Käfer, which is the German word for Beetle. Eventually VW, adopted this name for the car’s future marketing strategies.

However, in other parts of the world, it was known only as the Volkswagen with the exception of France, where it was referred to as the Coccinelle, which is French for ladybug. Marketing aside, the Beetle came from humble beginnings and a rather minuscule 25bhp engine.

Sporting gender neutral looks and the practicality to seat four full-sized adults, the Beetle was a hit around the world. That coupled with the fact that the air-cooled flat four engine was simple, easy to work on and quite reliable, made it the of choice for many.

In later years, the car developed a cult following and came to symbolize the care-free attitude of the 1960s. It was eventually phased out around the world due to the introduction of more stringent safety and emissions requirements as well as evolving trends. However, in countries like Mexico and Brazil, the car continued to roll off the production lines till the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Its descendants, the New Beetle and Beetle cars had very little in common with the original car apart from the design. Unlike its ancestor, the new cars are built on the Golf platform with the engine mounted in front. Despite that, many still consider them homages to the original.

Ever wondered what a purple McLaren 720S would like? Neither did we, but apparently someone had the British supercar maker do exactly that. Micheal Fux, a well known collector of rare and exotic cars, commissioned McLaren Special Operations (MSO) to have his 720S, defaced.

MSO, as the name implies, is a special division within McLaren that is responsible for churning out bespoke supercars for those wanting something out of the ordinary. Fux, had the team paint the car in a colour called ‘Fux Fuchsia’, which was created by Rolls-Royce just for him.

In fact, he owns this striking hue, and will retain exclusive rights to its use on any other McLaren vehicle. It isn’t to everyone’s taste, but the Woking based automaker did a fine at making the paint scheme look just right.

McLaren not only recreated this colour, but built a theme around it. As such, not only is the body colour ‘Fux Fuchsia’, but so are parts of the lightweight wheels, door appliqués, pinstripe on the steering wheel and even the rear-view mirror. It contrasts the largely white leather interior including white stitching and White Alcantara® floor mats, pretty well.

The car’s exhaust and windows are finished in stealth grey while the carbon fibre components taken from the MSO catalogue, add to the level of sportiness. Like the body colour, these features can be ordered by anyone through MSO and they can be fitted to just about any McLaren.

Jolyon Nash, McLaren Automotive Executive Director, Global Sales and Marketing, said, “MSO provides McLaren owners with virtually limitless possibilities to tailor a car exactly to their needs and tastes.

He added, ” unique paint colours and finishes, custom leather and stitching and exotic materials are all available within a bespoke commission, while beyond this there are opportunities all the way up to complete vehicles designed to individual specification.”

Mike Flewitt, McLaren Chief Executive Officer, will personally be presenting the car to Flux in Monterey, USA, during the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Later, it will be placed on display for the ‘Concept Lawn’ on Concours Sunday.

Fux, is an entrepreneur and philanthropist who is known for his collection of rare McLarens. He currently has an Orange McLaren 12C, a purple 12C Spider and a green McLaren P1. A fan of cars that scream for attention, Fux can add the Fux Fuchsia 720S to his garage, though we doubt he will be content with just four oddly coloured cars.

Honda doesn’t just produce vehicles for road use, it is involved with designing and manufacturing light aircraft as well. And its latest project, the HondaJet, is said to be the ‘fastest, highest-flying, quietest, most fuel-efficient, and most comfortable business jet in its class’.

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association has announced that the HondaJet ranks as the most delivered jet in its category for the first half of 2017. Apparently, its a sought after aircraft in western markets with 24 of them already delivered to customers in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and certain countries in Europe.

“Our customers are extremely pleased with the performance, comfort and superior fit and finish of the HondaJet. The HondaJet is a very high tech, sporty aircraft and it is like a flying, high precision sports car,” said Honda Aircraft President and CEO Michimasa Fujino.

He added, “We want to create new value in business aviation and I hope to see many more HondaJets flying all over the world.”

According to Honda, this new jet is the most advanced light aircraft thanks to a slew of technical innovations including the unique Over-The-Wing Engine Mount (OTWEM) configuration.

Compared to the conventional one, OTWEM offers improved performance and fuel efficiency by reducing aerodynamic drag. It also aids in the reduction in cabin sound, minimizes ground-detected noise, and allows for for maximization of space.

As such the HondaJet offers the roomiest cabin in its class, the largest baggage capacity, and a fully serviceable private lavatory. The aircraft can even be ordered with a sophisticated glass flight deck and a customized Garmin® G3000 navigation system.

Due to the surge in demand, Honda is steadily ramping up production to meet customer needs. Currently, the HondaJet is being manufactured at a rate of about four per month at its world headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Chery Automobiles Co., Ltd is planning on revealing a new compact SUV concept at the up coming Frankfurt Motor Show in September and under a new nameplate. It will mirror, in some form, the actual production vehicle that is aimed at the younger car buyer.

This nameplate, and the vehicles that bear its namesake will spearhead the Chinese automaker’s charge into the European passenger car market within the next few years. The adoption of a new brand name for the new line of vehicles may be a marketing ploy by Chery to ensure that it starts off with a clean slate instead of inheriting unwanted baggage.

“In just a few years we intend to start selling a family of vehicles in European markets across multiple segments, with power supplied by a range of electrified powertrains,” explains Chery CEO Dr. Anning Chen at Chery Automobile Co., Ltd.

Chery is also evaluating sales opportunities in key markets before it initializes the setting up European sales operations with its various import and distribution partners. This is probably toe ensure that it makes all the right moves in a market that is relatively unknown to the Chinese.

Chery has also stated that it hopes that the new design and R&D facilities in Europe accelerate its plans and efforts for global expansion. This news isn’t surprising considering that like Chery, Geely and its subsidiary, Volvo cars, recently agreed to technology sharing between the brands.

This in turn will allow Geely access to technology that should make its vehicles compelling alternatives to models offered by established European automakers. Chery, though lacking a such a treasure trove of sophisticated tech, may have the same goal in mind.

The Chinese automaker has also revealed its intentions of selling a range of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (P-HEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs). This should make it a formidable force in the EV segment in the next few years.

In a previous article we reported that Jeremy Clarkson had to be admitted in hospital while on a vacation due to a bout of Pneumonia. What we, and many others were unaware of however, was the severity of his illness.

According to a recent news piece by Car Throttle, Clarkson stated that he was in pretty bad shape before being admitted in hospital. Three days prior to his admission, the former Top Gear host was experiencing spasms in bed.

After a series of tests were conducted, his doctor informed him that things were far worse and that if he didn’t do exactly as instructed, there was a very real chance that Clarkson would succumb to his illness.

His right lung was more than half full of mucus and to make matters worse, he was running a very high fever too. This made it difficult for him to breath and function normally. Fortunately, he sought treatment just in time but will require 2 months of rest.

Still in recovery, Clarkson joins his Grand Tour co-host Richard Hammond, who has a fractured leg, on the sidelines leaving James May as the only member of the team, to soldier on. The Grand Tour is currently filming the second season this year, however, these recent setbacks should push the release date of this second season even further.

Clarkson covered his health scare extensively in his column of the Sunday Times. He goes on to talk about the irony of what this illness did to him considering that, prior to this, despite his militant attitude to life and utter disregard for healthy living, has never fallen ill or needed to take a sick day.

That said, we wish Clarkson a speedy recovery and hope that the trio get back to work as soon as medically possible.

Source: Car Throttle, Sunday Times

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