This week in Car Tech

The future of fuel cells
Volkswagen debuted its fourth generation fuel cell vehicle, the HyMotion, in San Francisco this week. This car is built on the Tiguan model, and will be used for research. The Volkswagen spokesman on hand wasn't promising much, suggesting it would be 7 years to 10 years before there was a production version. Personally, I see a good near future for range extender, or series hybrids. These are electric cars with some sort of onboard generator, maybe a fuel cell, maybe a diesel engine, that recharges the batteries as needed, like the Chevy Volt. If the Volt is successful, we'll likely see many other automakers adopt this architecture. Volkswagen HyMotion photos

Garmin Nuvi 660
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Garmin Nuvi 350
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Garmin Nuvi 200
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Magellan Maestro 4250
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Garmin Nuvi 200W
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2009 Toyota Matrix S AWD
The 2009 Toyota Matrix, when equipped with all-wheel drive, works as a practical car for people living in wintery regions. However, it forces some pricey technology trade-offs and doesn't let you have it all. Read more

Voice-activated GPS: Just like talking to KITT
One of the benefits of portable navigation systems is voice-guided directions, and if you've got an in-car GPS that has text-to-speech functionality (meaning the system will speak actual street names), even better. Continuing along those lines, there's a new technology that's just starting to show up in devices now: voice commands. Read more

2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagon
The small wagon body style of the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagon and its low emissions power train make it a practical everyday vehicle, but its lack of any good cabin electronics make it a poor tech car. Read more

Car Tech podcast
Every Friday we offer a new podcast, with news about the world of car technology from Brian Cooley, and an on-the-road segment in one of our review cars. In our most recent podcast, Cooley talks about the trend of cars over trucks, Chevy's new small car, and we take drive in the Green Car of the Year. Read more

BMW's shape-changing concept
CNET and Download.com staff
If you've seen the latest Knight Rider series recently, you may have noticed that KITT (Knight Industries Three Thousand) embraces a type of nano technology that lets its outer shell change colors and temporarily morph into other car forms. How cool is that? If BMW has its way, that part of the reel world would be made real. Read more

GPS system: Need some advice
Posted by dragonboatlady
I am currently shopping for a GPS system. I need some advice what to buy. My requirement is really simple, all I need is the system will speak out the street name. Read more 

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

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