This week in Car Tech

Portable versus factory-installed GPS
One recurring question we have around the Car Tech offices is whether it's better to buy a portable navigation device or pay for the factory-installed option in a new car. We got a good example with the 2008 Toyota 4Runner we reviewed, as it had the Urban Runner Package, which attempts to use a portable navigation device like an installed unit, going for the best of both worlds. Brian Cooley likes the idea of the portable device, but I'm not crazy about the small screen, at least with the one we had in the 4Runner. Portable devices are great because they get developed on faster product cycles than cars, so you get the latest features, and you can use them in any car you're driving. Factory units tend to have bigger screens and are better integrated with the car. Portable devices cost a lot less than the factory options, but portable devices are more easily stolen, too. Mostly, I favor the factory-installed options because I don't want to drag a bag full of electronics to my car every time I go for a drive. Of course, with current gas prices, who can afford to drive? 2008 Toyota 4Runner Urban Runner Package

2008 Audi A5
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Garmin Nuvi 660
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Garmin Nuvi 200W
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Garmin Nuvi 350
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Magellan Maestro 4250
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2008 Audi A5
The 2008 Audi A5 is a beautiful coupe with an excellent sound system, making it fun to cruise around in or take on jaunts to the country. But it lacks some practicality with its mediocre mileage and navigation system. Read more

TomTom GO 930 GPS
If you're looking for a high-end in-car GPS with the latest features, the TomTom GO 930 delivers with accurate directions and new navigation tools like advanced *** guidance and voice address entry. Read more

Photos: Upcoming electric cars
Electric cars are the only real option for stopping carbon dioxide emissions from the tailpipe. But you can't visit your local dealers' row and drive away in an electric car. Things are changing, though, and here is a selection of new electric cars from recent auto shows. Read more

GPS with text-to-speech
Nowadays, any in-car GPS device can give you voice-guided directions, but there's a new enhancement to this feature that's starting to show up in the latest systems: text-to-speech functionality. This enables the GPS unit to speak specific street names, rather than generic directions. Read more

Scorpion sports car would burn gasoline and hydrogen
Elsa Wenzel
A Texas company is offering a glimpse of a high-end hydrogen-gasoline sports car it hopes to sell by the fall. Rather than using fuel cells to power an electric motor, the Scorpion from Ronn Motor Co. would have an internal combustion engine burning both gasoline and hydrogen, achieving 40 highway miles per gallon. Unlike with a hydrogen fuel cell car, the Scorpion's "hydrogen on demand" system wouldn't require a high-pressure hydrogen storage tank. Nor would a driver need to find and fill up at a hydrogen fueling station. Read more

Buying my first GPS
Posted by cnetrev
I'm buying my first GPS. Don't even know about its features. I did some research. But since my budget was around $175, I was able to narrow down between two options based on cost and most positive reviews on all Web sites. 1. Garmin Nuvi 200 2. Garmin StreetPilot c340 Now I don't know which one to choose. For what reason I should pick up either of those? Read more 

• 1. 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
• 2. 2008 Ford Focus SES
• 3. 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe
• 4. 2008 Saturn Vue XR
• 5. 2008 Scion xB
• 6. 2008 Volvo C30
• 7. 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet
• 8. 2008 BMW 535i
• 9. 2008 Lexus LS 600h
• 10. 2008 Infiniti EX35 Journey

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