AD #2479 – Ford Bronco & Jeep Pickup Pics Leaked, DSRC Vs. 5G LTE, Great Car Audio Takes Time

On today’s show… why it now takes years to develop a killer sound system in vehicles… there’s a battle brewing in Europe over DSRC and 5G LTE… and photos of the new Ford Bronco and Jeep pickup are leaked to the internet. All that and more coming right up on Autoline Daily.

This is Autoline Daily the voice of the automotive industry.

3D PRINTING ASSEMBLY TOOLS
3D printing is being used for a number of unique applications in the automotive industry and here’s another that caught our eye. Ford is using a 3D printed window alignment tool at its plant that makes the Mustang convertible. Not only are all the necessary bits and pieces built in, like the retainers to hold down the pneumatic tubing, but it’s also 30% lighter and cheaper to make compared to a traditional welded fixture. The plastic tool also allows for easier handling and is light enough that the operator doesn’t need an assist to lift it. It’s an important enough development that the Society of Plastics Engineers gave it an Automotive Innovation Award in the area of additive manufacturing.

FORD BRONCO PICS BUCK AHEAD OF DEBUT
Photos of two significant vehicles are being leaked ahead of their debuts and we’ll start with the Ford Bronco. As you can see, the SUV mixes a little bit of retro with modern, rugged styling. We think the two-tone paint job gives it a little bit of a Ford Flex vibe and the front grille looks a lot like the Jeep Renegade. The Bronco will be built at the same Ford Wayne assembly plant as the Ranger, so it will likely be about the same size as the pickup.

JEEP PICKUP LEAKS OUT
Now check out the new Jeep Gladiator pickup. As you would expect it looks like a Wrangler with a bed on the back. We’re also learning it will come standard with a 3.6L V6 engine, but the automaker’s 3.0L EcoDiesel engine will available as well. As will two 4-wheel drive systems, Dana 44 axles, electronic swaybar disconnect and 33-inch tires. Look for the Gladiator to make its debut at the LA auto show.

KIA TEASES ALL-NEW SOUL
And while we’re on the subject of LA, Kia released this teaser image of the new Soul. Not much to see, but it does now feature a floating roof design and the taillights look larger than before. If you’d like to get a little bit better idea what the new Soul will look like, do a search on the inter webs, there are some spy photos floating around.

Still to come… a new study finds the names of partially automated systems, give driver’s the impression they’re a lot more capable than they actually are.

DSRC VS. 5G
There’s a big tug-of-war going on in the automotive industry over which technology to use for vehicle-to-vehicle communication, 5G LTE or DSRC, which is short for Dedicated Short Range Communication. DSRC is essentially part of the Wi-Fi spectrum while 5G is the upcoming standard for cell phones. Europe and the United States have embraced DSRC while China is pushing 5G. But not all companies in Europe want DSRC. Reuters reports that BMW along with Vodafone and Ericsson are trying to persuade the European Commission to use 5G in cars, which they say is a better alternative. In related news, a source tells Autoline that there’s going to be a major announcement at CES about an enhanced version of 4G LTE. Some are even calling 4.5G because the infrastructure to use it is already built.

NAMES OF AUTOMATED DRIVING SYSTEMS CONFUSING
And in other technology news, the AAA just released a study that found that consumers are confused over the capability of partially automated driving systems because of their names. Around 40% of Americans, expect those systems, which have names like Autopilot, ProPilot and Pilot Assist, to have the ability to drive the car by itself. It says drivers need to educate themselves about the systems but it also suggests they need standardized naming to avoid confusion. The AAA also tested these systems on both public and closed coarse roads in four different vehicles, a 2018 Mercedes S-Class, 2018 Nissan Rogue, 2017 Tesla Model S, and the 2019 Volvo XC40. If found they performed best on open freeways and highways with stop and go traffic. But they had a tendency to struggle with poor lane markings, unusual traffic patterns or stationary vehicles.

The engine in the new Bullitt Mustang produces some of the sweetest sounds you’ll ever hear. But so does its audio system and we’ll have more about that, right after this.

GREAT AUDIO TAKES TIME
It used to be a rite of passage to upgrade your car’s sound system. When I was in high school that meant installing radios with dolphins that jumped across the screen and the biggest subwoofers and amp you could afford and/or fit in your trunk. But car audio systems have gotten so good that almost no one upgrades the system in a brand new vehicle anymore. At a recent event put on by electronics company Bang & Olufsen and Ford, I learned that audio engineers are now working with automakers, like Ford, 2-3 years before a vehicle will even hit customer hands. They need that much time because they’re not just taking speakers and radios into consideration. They’re also trying to map out the natural resonance of the vehicle itself. How will a hole in the sheet metal of the door or thick leather material of the interior impact how the system sounds? It’s questions like these that the engineers need to get answers and find solutions for. And it’s paying off in the end product. I was able to experience the 12-speaker, 1,000-watt Bang & Olufsen stereo system in the new Bullitt Mustang and like so many new vehicles, it was just amazing how crisp and clear the songs were. The upgraded 5.0L V8 engine in the Bullitt also produces its own really good soundtrack… so stay tuned for that.

And you won’t want to miss Autoline After Hours this afternoon. Joining us is Christian Spencer from Nissan to talk about the all-new Altima. And back by popular demand, the Autoextremist, Peter DeLorenzo will be along for the ride as well as Mark Phelan from the Detroit Free Press. So join us at 3PM eastern time on Autoline.tv to see what the gang has to say about what’s going on in the automotive industry.

But that’s it for today, thanks for watching and please join us again tomorrow.