TechoCaddy has all the bells & ..................

[Marika]

http://www.motoring.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=2477708

TechnoCaddy has all the bells and whistles

April 11, 2005

Detroit, Michigan - General Motors has revealed its most technologically integrated vehicle yet at the opening of the 2005 Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) World congress.

The Cadillac STS SAE 100, which pays homage to the SAE's 100th anniversary, will serve as a working laboratory to help engineers develop future production vehicles. It went on show today, Monday.

"We challenged our engineers to take the best of today's vehicle technologies and integrate them with promising future technologies," said GM vice-president Jim Queen, "to demonstrate how they work together in a real-world driving environment

GM worked with 38 suppliers to integrate 50 different technologies into the STS SAE 100

."

GM is the host company for this year's world congress.

GM worked with 38 suppliers to integrate 50 technologies into the STS SAE 100, including safety, chassis, powertrain, electrical and comfort features; 19 features have never before been in production.

The car was built by GM's performance division vehicle development centre; engineers will use it to document how the various technologies interface with each other and how they can be applied to future production vehicles.

"Vehicle integration is the key to safety features such as electronic stability control, which we will roll out across our entire fleet," Queen added.

"Our goal with this vehicle was not simply to see how many technologies could be incorporated into a car. We wanted to learn how a variety of relevant current and future technologies could be made to work together to enhance the driving experience

'We want to learn how a variety of relevant current and future technologies can be made to work together'

."

STS SAE 100 technologies include:

# A 3D navigation system using actual pictures taken by satellites to provide the driver with a "bird's-eye view" of the vehicle's surroundings.

The images are so detailed that even trees and lamp posts are visible.

# An oil condition sensor that can determine and detect the actual level and remaining engine oil life. It can reduce the need for costly engine repairs due to poor oil maintenance and prevent unnecessary oil changes.

# An inside rear-view mirror with embedded organic LED screen that gives clear images from the back seat or reversing camera (depending on what gear the vehicle is in).

# An electronic limited-slip differential that improves traction without brake or engine intervention while improving vehicle stability through a differential yaw-dampening effect. It also is easier to integrate with electronic stability control systems.

# Two-piece carbon fibre wheels with magnesium spokes, claimed to be the lightest yet strongest wheels in production, which reduce unsprung weight to acceleration, braking, handling and fuel consumption.

# A lane departure warning system using a real-time vision system that detects road markings and notifies the driver with a visual signal and a vibration in the seat when a vehicle travelling at more than 60km/h wanders over the markings.

# A side-zone alert that uses radar sensors to warn a driver about to change lanes if another vehicle is in the driver's blind spot.

# A capless fuel system that has an electronically operated ball valve that spins open at the press of a button inside the car and closes when the nozzle is removed.

# Adaptive cruise control, already available on some Cadillacs and other makes of vehicle, that uses sensors to detect objects in the vehicle's path and slow it accordingly.

# A colour head-up display that projects digital readouts of key data (speedometer, navigation system turn prompts, tapshift, audio settings and adaptive cruise control status and alerts) on to the windscreen in an easy-to-read, intuitive way.

# A rear seat entertainment system consisting of two 160mm headrest-mounted LCD screens, wireless infrared headphones and two Microsoft Xboxes with DVD packages. Players can even "feel" the action with a haptic controller.

# A rear-vision camera that provides a wide angle view of the area behind the vehicle for detecting obstacles while reversing, projected onto the navigation screen in the instrument panel.

Serious power

The STS SAE 100 is powered by a supercharged LS2 engine that delivers 377kW at 5600rpm and 707Nm at 3600rpm. It drives through a new, longitudinal six-speed automatic transmission that's capable of supporting more powerful engines like the supercharged LS2.

The transmission has a semi-automatic manual/sequential shift mechanism.

# The STS SAE 100 was tested at GM's proving grounds in Milford, Michigan and Mesa, Arizona.