Daily News: Wednesday 8/16/17
Audi Debuts R8 V10 Spyder During Monterey Car Week
While the existence of the R8 V10 Spyder from Audi Sport has not been a secret, however it has yet to make a public debut in the United States. That will change this weekend, as Audi will celebrate Monterey Car Week by debuting the car and showcasing important models and particular racers from their company’s history. On Friday, August 18, the R8 V10 plus Spyder will make its US debut at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, a motorsports event featuring some of the world’s finest and rarest collections of automobiles. Audi will be contributing its own collection as they will also be displaying all-new RS 5 Coupe, the R8 LMS GT3 racecar, and the Audi Sport Quattro S1.
Beginning Thursday, August 17 and running through Sunday, August 20, Audi will also offer an exclusive driving experience for VIP guests at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. The experience will be invite-only, and will afford drivers the opportunity to participate in an Audi Sport Performance Drive that puts them in the driver seat of an R8 V10 around Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
Release information has not been given on the R8 V10 Spyder, but assume deliveries will begin before the end of this year—perfect convertible weather.
Mitsubishi to Livestream Total Eclipse
On August 21, North America will experience a total solar eclipse across the entire contiguous United States for the first time since 1918, and while 96% of Americans will experience at least a partial eclipse, only 4% are in the “Path of Totality”—where the eclipse fully covers the sun. Mitsubishi Motors—they still exist!—has the marketing opportunity of a lifetime, as the eclipse coincides with their 100th anniversary celebrations, as well as the launch of the new Eclipse Cross, and they plan to fully capitalize on that opportunity. The have secured a prime location to share the celestial phenomenon through a live stream positioned in Salem, Oregon, one of the first major cities to experience totality.
During the live stream, a photo crew will be on site attempting to score images of the Eclipse Cross underneath the total solar eclipse for its ongoing global marketing efforts. This will also be live streamed, giving viewers a behind-the-scenes look at a photoshoot with a one minute and 57 second deadline. Mitsubishi has also signed on as the exclusive sponsor of ABC News’ ‘The Great American Eclipse’ live coverage event of the total solar eclipse, and the Eclipse Cross will make its television debut in New York City’s Time Square, during “Good Morning America” on the day of the eclipse.
The live stream will begin at 9 a.m. PDT on August 21 and can be viewed here: live stream.
Genesis Announces New Google Assistant Compatibilities
As I don’t use or have any experience with Google Assistant, I’ll let Genesis do the explaining on this one:
“Genesis Connected Services is getting a lot more powerful with the introduction of the Genesis app for the Google Assistant today. All Genesis vehicles are equipped with three years of complimentary Genesis Connected Services, which allows connectivity into the car with technology like Remote Start with Climate Control, Destination Search powered by Google®, Remote Door Lock/Unlock and Stolen Vehicle Recovery. The Genesis app for the Google Assistant allows control of various functions of a Genesis vehicle with simple voice commands or smartphone keyboard inputs.”
This can be demoed at the second annual WIRED Store in Santa Monica from August 23 through September 4, 2017.
The Speed Trap 