Technology

The motor in my 2013 Subaru XV cuts out when I stop. Sometimes it's only for a few seconds, other times it will stay off until I take my foot off the brake. Is this a fault with the car?

The navigation system in our 2014 Hyundai i30 SR needed to be replaced five weeks after we took delivery of it. The dealer replaced the system with a reconditioned unit that had scratches on the screen. I did not accept it and asked for another system to be fitted. Should they replace the faulty system with a new one, or is a reconditioned system an acceptable/allowable replacement for a five-week-old unit?

I am not happy with the reversing camera fitted to the new 2013 Grand Cherokee Laredo in January. It is a fish-eye type of camera and has no guiding lines like other models. My questions to the dealer and to head office have fallen on deaf ears; all they say is 'that is the camera for that model'. I feel the camera is of an inferior style for the quality of the vehicle. Do you have any information in relation to my complaint?

While researching electric vehicles in the market as part of a uni course I found that the Indian car maker Mahindra builds an electric car called the e2o. It seems to be a well-developed, small, short-range, all-electric small car for about $US10,000. Do you think Mahindra will sell these here soon to kickstart a short-distance commuter segment? It has passed some European standards and once it’s released here, the safety features available would increase on demand. The EV market is not obviously not for everyone, and the trickle of available EVs are not budget priced. This EV could be popular as a cheap local commuter or second car, which I’m sure will be embraced by the conservationist in everyone.

I have been struggling to use the Bluetooth function with my phone in my new R52 Pathfinder ST. My phone is paired, but I don't seem to be able to store contacts or use voice recognition. I did get some assistance from the sales staff at the dealership, but they too had problems. It would seem I have to go through my contacts alphabetically, which seems a bit time consuming. What can I do?

Convoy of unmanned 2015 Hyundai Genesis sedans show off upcoming adaptive cruise control and lane departure technology.Hyundai are stressing that the stunts performed shouldn't be attempted but the showcased technology should soon be available to everyone. Well everyone who buys their new flagship 2015 Genesis model but as it is always the case, this technology will later trickle down to other models.Advanced Smart Cruise Control (ASCC)Car automatically adjusts speed based on the car in front of it. It will even stop and start again without driver input.Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)Above 70km/h the system detects when the driver has difficulty staying in their lane and helps by using gentle steering compensation. For this film this technology was modified not to turn off.Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)When a crash is imminent if the driver doesn't react this system can apply full brake force stopping power. Not all objects are detected, with the system being designed to detect vehicles in front of the car.

Want the sound of a V8 but the fuel economy of four-cylinder car? You could soon be able to make any car sound like something it’s not, like a Formula One racer, even if it’s a hybrid.

I bought the latest sat-nav disk for my Mitsubishi Pajero and it is still about four years behind. How can we get the carmakers to pick up their game on this?

There is no need for people buying a new car to option a factory satnav unit and then get ripped off in updating them. I've just bought a five-inch portable GPS with lifetime maps and all road alerts for $90.

It's enough to make an outlaw biker patch over to the venerable Ulysses club.  Harley-Davidson, the motorcycle company founded on rebellious spirit and rumbling V-twin engines, has gone electric. Forget Arnie Schwarzenegger in Terminator and start thinking Tron as the company looks to the next generation of riders, along with emerging markets such as China.Truth be told, Harley's customers are already a cross-section of society, from young tradies to cashed-up executives. They buy into the lifestyle, not the powerplant. The LiveWire e-bike was revealed in the US on Friday ahead of a national tour where customers will be invited to give their opinions on how the futuristic cruiser can be improved. That feedback will be used to develop a production model by 2016. As such, technical details are sketchy. A lithium-ion battery pack feeds electricity to a three-phase motor that generates 55kW and 70Nm. Those aren't big numbers but are still enough to propel the bike to 100km/h around four seconds after twisting the right grip. Top speed is - for now - electronically limited to 150km/h.Those figures put it on a par with Harley's conventional Sportster 883 but it is rumoured the bike has been restrained for the customer test rides and the production version will pack more punch. Harley is happy to talk about the LiveWire's sound, with the company's chief marketing officer Mark-Hans Richer describing it as a "distinct part of the thrill"."Think fighter jet on an aircraft carrier. Project LiveWire's unique sound was designed to differentiate it from internal combustion and other electric motorcycles on the market," he says.H-D president Matt Levatich sees the LiveWire as an evolution of the iconic brand. "Project LiveWire is just one element in our efforts to preserve and renew the freedom to ride for generations to come," he notes.