This week in Car Tech

Sync rocks our world
If we reviewed the Ford Focus last January, we wouldn't have been particularly impressed with its tech credentials. But the Focus we just reviewed came with the Microsoft-developed Sync system, which blew us away. We had seen demos of Sync last year, but in our own tests we were able to verify that it performs as promised. No other automaker currently offers this level of integration, letting you hook up a phone and MP3 player and issue voice commands to dial specific people or play specific artists and albums. And all this in a car that bases at 16 grand. Even better, the system can be updated for new features, such as automatic 911 calling and vehicle health reports, announced at the 2008 CES show. If you're not crazy about Fords, the Sync technology--but not the brand name--will be offered to other automakers in November of this year. Read more

Garmin Nuvi 350
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Garmin Nuvi 660
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Pioneer Avic-D3
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Garmin Nuvi 200
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Magellan Maestro 4250
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Photos: Smart ForTwo
This week, Daimler's long-awaited Smart Fortwo goes on sale at 70 dealerships across the country. The two-seater microcar is already a smash hit in European cities, where it combines urban-chic styling with practical parkability. Read more

2008 Ford Focus SES
With the exceptional Sync system as standard, the all-new Ford Focus SES has one of the highest tech-to-price ratios of any car we've seen. Read more

2008 Nissan Rogue
The 2008 Nissan Rogue doesn't rate highly as a tech car due to its lack of any major cabin gadgets, but we like its general usability and its continuously variable transmission. Read more

2008 Audi S5
With its refined cabin tech, very nice performance, and beautiful design, the 2008 Audi S5 excels in most areas, only being dragged down by poor mileage and unambitious cabin tech. Read more

Telsa Roadster to be a one-speed car
Michael Kanellos
The engineers at Tesla Motors have designed a new single-speed transmission for its sports car that will let it hit the promised 0 to 60 mph in four seconds. The transmission won't come out on the first Tesla Roadsters coming off the line, the company said this week. Read more

Corn in the USA: The ethanol problem
Posted by tripzero
As far as I know, the government is subsidizing the production of ethanol the USA. US manufacturers use corn which is a poorer source of ethanol. Wouldn't we benefit more if we used sugar cane? Countries like Brazil and the Philippines mass produce sugar cane which is a much better source than corn. Are we trying to become energy independent is that why we don't import from these countries? Read more 

• 1. 2008 Cadillac CTS
• 2. 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
• 3. 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 Sport
• 4. 2008 Audi TT 3.2 Quattro
• 5. 2008 BMW 535i
• 6. 2007 Mini Cooper S
• 7. 2008 Mazda Tribute HEV Touring
• 8. 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
• 9. 2008 Acura TL Type-S
• 10. 2008 Jaguar XKR Convertible

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