Daily Archives: August 20, 2016
BMW Diesel Vehicles for Model Year 2017 Confirmed
BMW announced that its diesel vehicles with the 2017 model year will be rolled out soon in the United States of America. The luxury car maker confirmed the arrival of four diesel models in the region.
According to CarAndDriver, the variants that will get diesel versions for the 2017 model year are the sedan and Sports Wagon versions of the 328d, the X3 xDrive28d, and the X5 xDrive35d.
Despite the positive news, BMW haven’t released any definite date yet regarding the arrival of the mentioned diesel units. A spokesman of the company just told the source that it will be available later this year.
The report claimed that many BMW dealerships are now missing the diesel versions of some popular models. The source explained that the delay had something to do with the certification process, which is a requirement for diesel models sold in the U.S.
The article stated that EPA increased its scrutiny in the diesel models after the Volkswagen emission scandal that rocked the automotive world and led to the company CEO’s resignation. It should be noted that VW admitted to using a software to cheat their emission figures.
The postponement of the arrival of the BMW diesel models in the country is also due to BMW’s suspension of their production in the U.S. soil. We agree with the source that it is a smart move from the luxury automaker in case EPA will ask them to revise something in their diesel models.
As for the other popular models of the brand, BMW is yet to confirm if it will offer a diesel version of the redesigned 5-Series in the U.S. Currently, the vehicle is available in its 2016 model year with the name 535d. For the 7-Series, the company said it will not be selling a diesel variant of it in the area.
Hyundai Genesis Gets Linked with Amazon’s Alexa
Hyundai announced that its Genesis luxury sub-brand is offering an integration with Amazon’s Alexa. The “skill” provided by the service enables the driver to issue certain commands to the car.
Alexa, the voice service of Amazon, lets users access certain capabilities or skills. The said elements allow them to interact with devices like the Amazon Echo, Fire TV, Tap, and Echo Dot. The system is integrated in the Hyundai Genesis Connected Services suite. The technology is available in the Genesis G80 and G90 sedan. The good news is that purchasing the new G90 comes with a gift card for the Amazon Echo.
The owner can simply issue commands directed to his car using the abovementioned compatible Amazon devices for the Alexa. As an alternative when the user is not near an Amazon device, he can still access the feature using a dedicated web portal or using his smartphone app.
When near Amazon devices, dedicated apps or web portal, the user can start the service by saying, “Alexa open Genesis.” Then this can be followed by commands such as “Alexa, tell Genesis to lock my car,” or “Alexa, tell Genesis to start my car at 70 degrees,” and others. The commands will be forwarded to the Genesis G80 or G90. From the car, the user can also control the Amazon devices he has at home.
The partnership of Hyundai and Amazon started yesterday (August 19, 2016). To use the service, the owner should enable the Genesis “skill” using the Alexa app. The app will run the owner through the whole activation, tutorial and customization process.
It was revealed through a report that the Alexa app in the Hyundai Genesis G80 and G90 functions by starting the car, controlling its air conditioning and heating system, operating the locking functions of the doors, and turning on the lights of the auto.