Ask Patty - Automotive Advice for Women

Highlighting Top New Cars and Features for 2013 and 2014

Willowdiana — Fri, 17 May 2013 11:07:40 -0700

By Dianna Clausen

The Texas Auto Writer’s Association met recently at Texas Motor Speedway to choose the top cars of Texas. More than 50 model year 2013 and 2014 vehicles were available for TAWA members to drive and review during the two-day event. By the time the event was over, a few surprising models came up on the top of their winner’s list. A few of the most notable vehicles were equipped with conveniences, comfort, and safety features sure to appeal to busy women on the go.

For example, the Family Car of Texas winner, the 2013 Ford Fusion (Fusion Titanium won the Midsize car class), offers more safety features, such as active park assist, cross-traffic alert, Blind Spot Information System, and much more interior space than earlier Fusion generations.

Another favorite was the Performance Utility class winner, the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT. With SRT technology this ‘ultimate’ SUV did not just provide plenty of room for families who need cargo space but also brought uber-high performance with its 470-horsepower V8 Hemi. This Grand Cherokee brings the SUV market to a whole other market – one that appreciates life in the fast lane. It also includes upgraded technology for convenience and safety such as an 8.4” inch touch-screen conveniently located for ease of use. The Grand Cherokee is also equipped with Forward Collision Warning, Blind Spot Monitoring and Electronic Roll Mitigation.

In the full-sized car category Chevrolet’s redesigned 2014 Impala 2LTZ features an above-average amount of airbags (10), and a standard Safety Package which, “features options such as Forward Collision Alert, Full-Speed-Range Adaptive Cruise Control, and enhanced Forward Collision Alert with Collision Mitigation Braking. The Impala 2LTZ also includes Adaptive Cruise Control which adjusts or maintains vehicle speed accordingly when set to “maintain follow distance,” per Chevrolet.com.

Lastly was the winner of the coveted Car of Texas Award which was presented to Ford Motors for their 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby. The honor not only credited the manufacturer, but was a fitting sign of respect to the late Carroll Shelby.

The complete car classes and TAWA winners are as follows:

Sub-Compact Car - 2013 Fiat 500 Turbo

Compact Car - 2013 Buick Verano Turbo

Performance Compact - 2013 Scion FR-S

Mid-Size Car - 2013 Ford Fusion Titanium

Full-Size Car - 2014 Chevrolet Impala 2LTZ

Mid-Size Luxury Car - 2013 Lexus GS 350 F SPORT

Full-Size Luxury Car - 2013 Cadillac XTS Platinum Collection AWD

Performance Coupe - 2013 Dodge Challenger SRT 392

Performance Sedan - 2013 Cadillac ATS Premium Collection

Minivan - 2013 Chrysler Town & Country Limited

Activity Vehicle - 2013 Dodge Journey Crew

Performance Utility - 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT

Supercar - 2013 SRT Viper GTS

Green Vehicle - 2013 Chevrolet Volt

Best New Feature - Ford: Hands-Free Lift Gate

Best New Interior - 2013 Chrysler 300C John Varvatos Luxury Edition

Best Value - 2013 Ford Focus ST

Family Car of Texas - 2013 Ford Fusion

Car of Texas - 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

*Photography by: James McClain

Ford Wraps American Idol Season Sponsorship; Season 12 Winner Determined Tonight

Brandy S — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:43:41 -0700

Watching American Idol has been a family activity around my home for years. Each week, my son Ben and I would sit on the couch to watch (and sing along with) the weekly competition, and he often told me “Mom, YOU should try out for American Idol!” We watched pretty much every season -- including all the sponsored Ford music videos and commercials -- and always voted for our favorites.

Well, 12 years later, Ben is almost 20 and has a much better understanding of why his Mom prefers to sing along in the privacy of her own home or car. And, while we don’t watch American Idol together anymore, he still follows the show and continues to vote for his favorites. So he was quite disappointed last week when his Idol Angie Miller was sent home, leaving Kree Harrison and Candice Glover to battle it out for the American Idol season 12 crown. Ford is making it up him, however, by allowing us to attend the Finale tonight in a 2014 Ford Fiesta hatchback powered by the new three-cylinder 123-horsepower/1.0-liter EcoBoost engine. (I’ll have more about this car and Ford’s groundbreaking new engine in a separate post next week.) Look for us on FOX tonight at 8/7C, we’ll be in the sixth row!

Ford is now in its 12th season as a corporate sponsor of American Idol, having committed to the show since its debut in 2002. That first season’s final battle was between the fuzzy-headed Justin Guarini and Kelly Clarkson; Clarkson actually turned her first-place finish into a stellar musical career, and currently holds the record for the highest-selling album sales around the world, with more than 25 million copies. For Ford, sponsorship of American Idol has translated into increased vehicle sales, enhanced ad performance, and greater consumer awareness and affinity for the brand.

“American Idol’s high ratings make it a mini-Super Bowl every week,” Crystal Worthem, Ford Brand Content and Alliances manager, said in 2011 about Ford’s ongoing sponsorship. “The show attracts a huge audience that is able to connect with our vehicles in a fresh and meaningful way because of the custom content we have been able to create.”

AskPatty has also long been a fan of American Idol, covering the show and the Ford sponsorship in a variety of ways. We especially enjoyed the music videos that were created each week to showcase the finalists -- and Ford’s vehicles. Ford also used the show to promote contests in which Ford vehicles were often the prizes. Tonight’s American Idol finale will not only be a retrospective of the finalists’ season, but it will also share a retrospective of the weekly Fiesta Movement Idol Missions. If you want to catch up on all the season’s Missions, you can watch them here on the American Idol Mission Page.

Season 12 of American Idol and its weekly Fiesta Movement American Idol Missions may be over after tonight's finale, but you can still register for a chance to win a 2014 Ford Fiesta at americanidol.com/sweepstakes/ford until the end of the month. Your last chance to enter to win the special Ford Fiesta promotion ends at 11:59 PM ET on 5/31/13. (Be sure to read the official rules here.) And be sure to tune in to American Idol on FOX tonight to see who wins the Season 12 American Idol Crown!

May 18th is Safe Kids Day: Tips to Reduce Preventable Injuries in Your Garage or Driveway

Brandy S — Thu, 16 May 2013 09:00:00 -0700

Every year, 9,000 families lose a child because of a preventable injury. That’s one child every 30 seconds globally due to tragedies such as fires, falls, drownings, and car crashes. In the United States alone, nearly 9 million children are treated for injuries in emergency rooms for injuries that can affect them for a lifetime. What can you do to help reduce these preventable injuries? On Saturday, May 18, 2013, more than 100 communities across the United States will celebrate Safe Kids Day to raise awareness and funds to protect our kids.

Kids are going to explore. They fall, slip, crash, it’s part of being a kid. I will NEVER forget the moment I ran to answer my young son’s frightened screams to discover him holding up a tipping dresser with a 100-pound tube television teetering on the top, his little fingers pinched inside the drawer he was using to climb to the top. Thankfully, I arrived in time to protect him from being hurt.

But those dangers are also present outside our homes: Each year, more than 9,000 children are treated in emergency rooms for injuries that occurred while they were unattended in or around motor vehicles parked in the garage or driveway. Visit the Safe Kids Driveway Safety Page to learn ways you can prevent injuries that may occur when drivers are unaware of children near vehicles.

The moms here at AskPatty know you’re often in a hurry when you’re leaving the house, but before you get into your car to drive away, take a few seconds to walk all the way around your parked car to check for children. It happens too often that our little ones might follow us outside to say goodbye as we are leaving, and this is also a great way to protect family pets who might be lounging or also prevent backing over toys that may have been left out from earlier playtime.

If you drive a vehicle with large blindzones such as a sport utility vehicle or truck, consider installing an aftermarket backup camera. According to KidsandCars.org, up to 50 backover accidents resulting in two deaths occur every week in the United States, so adding visibility behind your vehicle will give you peace of mind whenever you’re backing up.

When it comes to safety for your children, you should know the basics: buckle up, wear a helmet, learn to swim, look both ways. Click to enlarge the image on the right to learn some lesser-known tips to make your family even safer in 7 easy steps.

Click here to use the Safe Kids Day map to find out what’s planned in your community and join in the celebration, and be sure to click to view the large size of the infographic below to learn more about Safe Kids Day.

Ladies: Just Let Him Breathe – Your Engine, That Is

AskPatty - Automotive Advice for Women — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:37:41 -0700

Hello again, AskPatty Nation! Today we're going to give you some honest, blunt relationship advice, because it's come to our attention that some of you are users. Now, we don't mean to judge, you probably didn't realize you were doing it, but you're smothering your significant other. He really needs to breathe... so change that air filter already! Of course, we're talking about taking care of your car's engine. You didn't think we meant your boyfriend, did you?

We've been talking for the past couple of months about the air inside the cabin of your car with some filtration education, and even showed you how to install your very own FRAM Fresh Breeze® cabin air filter. Today, as part of AskPatty's ongoing car care, maintenance, and advice tips, we're going to introduce you to your car's other air filter, the one that supplies healthy air to your engine.

Your engine air filter keeps dust and other particles out of the inner workings of your engine so, much like the cabin air filter, over time it'll get dirty and clogged. A dirty air filter restricts the air entering your engine, and that means your engine has to work harder. Your air filter is one item you should always replace frequently. Every 12,000 miles is a good benchmark, and the good news is it's an easy item to replace, so it's a perfect do-it-yourself job.

So, which filter is right for you? Let's take a look at the options available from FRAM:

FRAM Extra Guard® Air Filter

FRAM's flagship air filter, this little beauty sets the standard for air filter performance. Using a fancy scientifically engineered filter media for high level of protection (they won't tell me what's in it – something about national security), the FRAM^® Extra Guard^® provides twice the engine protection than average leading brands. It's recommended to change your air filter every 12,000 miles.

FRAM Tough Guard® Air Filter

Strenuous driving conditions such as idling in heavy traffic, driving on dirty, dusty roads and towing heavy loads can put heavy strain on an engine, and that's where the FRAM^® Tough Guard^® Air Filter comes in. When operating in these environments, a greater-than-normal amount of contaminants can be ingested, and if the air filter does not trap these particles, they can cause damage to the engine. Designed and constructed with advanced features to capture and hold more dirt to keep engines cleaner in extreme driving conditions, the FRAM® Tough Guard® is the filter of choice for those who spend a little more time on the road than others. Like the FRAM Extra Guard® Air Filter, it's recommended to change your air filter every 12,000 miles.

Sixth Annual Jeep “Go Topless Day” is May 18, 2013

Brandy S — Wed, 15 May 2013 09:00:00 -0700

The 6th Annual Worldwide Go Topless Day for Jeep Owners is this weekend, on Saturday May 18th, 2013, and everybody is invited! No, ladies, we’re not suggesting you drive without a shirt! Jeep Go Topless Day is the day Jeep owners take the top off their Jeeps to show the world their love for their Jeep, their Jeep spirit, and the sense of fun and adventure that comes with owning a Jeep.

“It’s a Jeep thing,” those fun-loving Jeep folk say, and while others might not understand, Jeep owners love the fun attitude that comes with owning these vehicles: They nod their heads, tip their caps, and smile and wave to each other as they pass on the street. They love the outdoors, and they love their fellow Jeep owners!

So, how do you participate in Jeep Go Topless Day?

Keep your shirt on and TAKE THE TOP OFF YOUR JEEP! If you’re a Jeep owner, that should require no explanation, but even if your Jeep’s top won’t come off, feel free to join the festivities being held around the world by Jeep clubs and groups. Jeep organizations around the globe are supporting the day with picnics, trail runs, trail clean-ups, and social events. Click here to see the list of national and worldwide events and find out how you can get involved.

Take a photo and submit it to the Go Topless Day photo contest! Click here to find out how to enter. The best five photo entries will win $50 gift certificates to www.allthingsjeep.com and a FREE Limited-Edition T-shirt (also available for just $16 bucks). You can also follow Jeep Go Topless and share your photos on Facebook.

Own a Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Comanche, Commander, Compass, Liberty, Patriot, Wagoneer, or other hard-top Jeep? The fun folks at AllThingsJeep.com know you’re topless in spirit so feel free to enter their contest with photos of your hard-top Jeep. (Just think creatively when you’re taking your photos!) Want to see the photos others have submitted in the past? Then check them out in the Go Topless Day Photo Album.

You can even get a free “Go Topless Day” Bumper sticker! Simply send a self-addressed, stamped business-size envelope to: All Things Jeep, GTD Sticker, Two Shaker Road, Unit F101, Shirley, MA 01464 and they will send you a cool bumper sticker for your Jeep.

Two Finalists Compete for the Crown in this Week’s American Idol Finale

Brandy S — Mon, 13 May 2013 12:12:54 -0700

Last week, the remaining three American Idol finalists competed to see who would make it to this week’s finale. As Kree Harrison, Angie Miller and Candice Glover anxiously awaited the results, a tearful conclusion revealed that it would be Angie Miller who would go home, leaving Kree and Candice to battle it out for the American Idol crown.

As part of their final weekly Fiesta Movement Idol Mission, last week’s three finalists made a surprise visit to sing with the Los Angeles County High School of the Arts (artshigh.org/index) Vocal Choir. They are a renowned group known for both their Jazz and Choral work, singing and performing all genres of music, and most recently performed at the 56th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival.

The weekly Fiesta Movement American Idol Missions may be over, but you can still register for a chance to win a 2014 Ford Fiesta at americanidol.com/sweepstakes/ford until the end of the month. Your last chance to enter to win the special Ford Fiesta promotion ends at 11:59 PM ET on 5/31/13. (Be sure to read the official rules here.)

Be sure to watch the final episodes of American Idol airing this week on FOX, Wednesday and Thursday at 8/7C. Voting for this season’s winner has never been easier: Choose between the two remaining finalists during the show and then vote online at AmericanIdol.com, on the IDOL app on your iphone or smart phone, on the American Idol Facebook page, using the toll-free numbers displayed during the show, or AT&T customers can text their vote to the text numbers displayed during the show!

This week, Kree Harrison and Candice Glover will go head-to-head in the American Idol season finale, so be sure to tune in and place your vote!

AskPatty’s Mother’s Day Gift Guide: Auto-Themed Gift ideas for the Car-Loving Lady

Brandy S — Wed, 08 May 2013 11:23:05 -0700

Mother’s Day is that day each year for us to honor that special Mom in your life: Whether you’re choosing something special for the mother of your children or for your own mother, AskPatty has plenty of advice to share on gift ideas she is sure to love.

Choosing the right gift can be a challenge, so we've gathered up some gift ideas that should be perfect for your car-loving Mom. Some are practical, some are elegant, but all of them will please a Mom-on-the-go -- regardless of whether she's cruising a beatup old minivan, or tearing up the tarmac in something sportier.

Clothing and Accessories

What car-loving woman wouldn’t also love a Harvey's Seatbelt bag? New colors include juicy Grapefruit and Mint, and a new braided style called “Sophia” just joined the product line this month. Among the most-popular bags in the Harvey's line are a collection of 100% recycled seatbelts called "Treecycle": Fully lined with hemp fabric imprinted with eco-friendly inks, the Treecycle line includes small wallets ($78) and messenger bags ($98), full-size totes, and satchels ($118). It’s been many years since I have carried a diaper bag, but I absolutely adore the “Tough Love” diaper bag ($198) in shades of pink. I love my cranberry red messenger bag and the attention it gets from others who are attracted to its lovely but durable appearance! Plus, Harveys bags are handmade in the USA and come with a lifetime guarantee.

Driver's Selection by Porsche Design presents a range of Porsche-branded clothing and lifestyle accessories that share the same timeless elegance and sporty design as the Porsche vehicles do. This stylish range of products offers something for every Mom’s taste, as well as a variety of producs meant for travel and leisure. Need a gift idea for her? A new Porsche purse/computer bag, colorful messenger bag, or Martini sweat jacket would be my choice, but if you're looking for something to brighten her office, then take your choice from an assortment of Porsche-styled office accessories including notepads, coasters, and mugs, and even car-shaped USB sticks and computer mice.

Driving Safety

Mom’s safety is always your priority, whether she’s at home or driving in her car. Consider these following products to make sure Mom is safe in and around her car, no matter what the circumstances are.

Installing an aftermarket rearview camera system is a great idea because, according to KidsandCars.org, more than 50 backover accidents resulting in at least two deaths occur every week, so it's a matter of safety for Mom and her family. While the primary goal of these rearview camera systems is to provide a view to the rear while she’s parking or backing up, they offer a significant safety advantage because they can help Mom see a child, pet, or hazard in the blind zone behind her vehicle. Whether you want to help your lady keep your children safe or to fit her car into that tight parking space, the Magellan Wireless Back-up Camera gives her a window on the world behind her car. When combined with the Magellan backup camera, the navigator will switch from navigation mode to rear view mode, allowing Mom to see what is behind her car – including young children, pets, and toys.

While OnStar is factory installed in all General Motors vehicles, OnStar FMV is an aftermarket product that replaces Mom’s rearview mirror with one sporting the familiar OnStar Blue and red emergency buttons. It also gives her car all the core features of factory-installed OnStar, including Bluetooth connectivity, 24/7 emergency services, roadside assistance, turn-by-turn navigation and stolen vehicle location assistance. OnStar FMV is an ideal way to make sure Mom is safe in her car wherever she goes.

Make sure Mom is safe wherever she travels by giving her a special car emergency kit. Safety Kits Plus is a leading supplier nationwide of Emergency Preparedness Supplies such as car emergency kits, first aid kits, and disaster kits. No matter what your budget, they've got a variety of car emergency kits to suit your needs, from giant kits with more than 70 pieces for about $50, to smaller more compact kits that will fit in her glovebox for less than $10. From jumper cables, air compressor, screwdrivers, first aid supplies, flashlights, duct tape and bungee cords, they've got any kind of safety kit you can imagine. The whole family will feel safe knowing Mom is prepared for any roadside emergency!

No gift guide would be complete without these high-end AutoTex Pink wiper blades that not only keep Mom’s windshield clear, but also support breast cancer research. Available in black and pink, a portion of every sale goes directly to the National Breast Cancer Foundation in the United States or the Breast Cancer Society for Canadian purchases. Giving Mom AutoTex Pink wiper blades is more than just a gift; it’s a selfless commitment and an investment in life-saving change.

Exotic Car Driving Experience or Racing School

If your Mom is anything like me, she yearns to get out of her practical family car and get behind the wheel of an exotic supercar and drive it like the pros do in the movies. Here's a chance to put your special lady behind the wheel of her dream car on a real race track where he she can push the car to its limits. Whether she wants to take hot laps around a race course in an exotic Ferrari or Lamborghini or put the pedal down in an Audi R8, or Corvette without worrying about a speeding ticket; Cloud 9 Living can give her the chance to do something you know she’s always wanted to do -- but would never buy for herself.

For women who want to do more than just drive a few hotlaps, consider giving her an educational driving course such as the Porsche “Women’s Only” class designed exclusively for women drivers. What’s different about the “Women’s Only” course? Very little! Bathroom breaks are a little longer, but the instruction is the same as what’s offered in the regular schools. At PSDS, Mom will enjoy more track time than at any other school, and she is sure to leave with a smile cemented on her face, as well as real-world performance driving skills.

Car Care and Detailing

Short on cash but have big intentions? Then detail Mom’s car for her! TurtleWax offers an entire collection of car care items that will help you detail Mom’s car at an affordable price. Turtle Wax's ICE Total Interior Care can be used to easily clean its interior surfaces -- including carpeting and upholstery fabric, soft-vinyl or leather, and hard dash and door panels.

If Mom’s paint has small dings or scratches, consider a paint repair pen like the Turtle Wax Premium Grade Scratch Repair Kit. Such a kit can easily remove light scratches from small to larger areas. For deep scratches, using the kit along with matching touch-up paint from the dealership helps to improve the final appearance, making repairs nearly invisible and as smooth as the original paint job.

How old is Mom’s car? Are its headlights showing their age? Over time, plastic headlight lenses can become hazy and cloudy, and can even contribute to vehicle accidents as they can significantly reduce the emission of light and limit nighttime visibility. You can easily restore Mom’s headlights to “like-new” with just a little elbow grease and a pre-packaged kit such as this one from Sylvania, where replacing the entire assembly can cost $300 or more.

Who is the Real Star of Iron Man 3? (Hint: It's not Robert Downey Jr.)

Brandy S — Mon, 06 May 2013 15:17:07 -0700

Iron Man 3 broke box office records this weekend, earning $175.3 million in U.S. and Canadian ticket sales, $504.8 million in international receipts, and more than $680.1 million in the days since its worldwide release.

And as much as we love watching the handsome Tony Stark (played by Robert Downey Jr.) and gorgeous Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) on the big screen, the true stars of the movie are the gadgets and toys. Who wouldn't want to have Stark's money, laboratory, and the armored suits he uses to fight villains? But here's another thing I wouldn't mind having: Tony Stark's Audi R8 e-tron, or Pepper Potts' Audi S7 Sportback. Other models with cameos in the movie are the Audi A8 L, Audi A6, Audi S5 Coupe, and Audi Q5.

The Audi R8 e-tron also joined the stars of Iron Man 3 at a VIP screening of the film in London before its general release worldwide. Audi shipped the car from Germany to be displayed on the red carpet, where it was joined by stars of the movie, including Downey, Paltrow, Rebecca Hall, Ben Kingsley, and Don Cheadle. A fleet of chauffeured Audi A8s carried the stars to the red carpet.

According to Drew Elliott, Social Media Specialist for Audi of America, “Stark and his passion for innovative technology, his sophisticated wit, and his character overall we feel are great representatives of the Audi brand."

Audi has recently been running a commercial on U.S. late-night and cable-TV channels featuring Tony Stark, Iron Man’s alter-ego industrialist, driving the all-electric Audi R8 e-tron sports car. The ad uses scenes from the movie to show the unique stresses and strains of being a superhero. Then it states, “It’s never a bad day at work” – Stark gets into the R8 e-tron – “when the commute looks like this.” The 30-second spot concludes with Stark streaking down the highway in the red all-electric R8, and the tag line, “Audi. Engineered for Iron Man.”

About the Audi R8 e-tron

Audi made a limited initial production run of the R8 e-tron last year, and it set performance records in July, 2012, when racing driver Markus Winkelhock piloted the high-performance, all-electric-drive sports car around the demanding 12.92-mile Nurburgring Nordschleife track in 8:09.099 minutes, setting the record for the fastest lap with a series production electric car. The Audi R8 e-tron accelerates from zero to 62.14 mph in just 4.6 seconds and its top speed is normally limited to 124.27 mph, though 155.34 mph was approved for the record-setting lap.

The R8 e-tron is powered solely by two electric motors (creating an output of 280-kW and more than 600 lb-ft of torque) and a large lithium-ion battery Audi says can store 49 KWh of energy – enough to travel about 133 miles. It can also be charged by energy recovery during coasting and braking. The ultralight car body of the Audi R8 e-tron is made primarily of aluminum, keeping the high-performance sports car down to just 3,924 pounds, even with the large battery.

Audi says the R8 e-tron should be available for purchase soon at a price point hinted to be around a hefty $250,000.

About the Audi S7 Sportback

That $250k is probably a bit too spendy for the non-millionaire non-superheroes among the general public, so perhaps you might be more interested in Pepper Potts' Audi S7 Sportback?

Audi's hatchback luxury sedan is powered by a new twin-turbocharged 4.0 liter engine boasting 420 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque promising acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, with a top speed of 155 mph. Active cylinder deactivation gives the car thrilling performance but deactivates four cylinders under partial load for better fuel economy when cruising, enabling mpg ratins of 17 city, 27 highway, and 20 mpg combined.

If you're not into numbers, then consider the gorgeous passenger cabin features power-adjustable S7 sport seats embossed with the S7 logo and wrapped in Valcona leather in a cross-stitch pattern. Audi S7 badges are embossed on the key, the elegant leather sport steering wheel with colored stitching and aluminum shift paddles, as well as a S7 specific instrument cluster. Illuminated door sill trim and displays greet the driver with the S7 logo, a red ring adorns the start-stop button, and an aluminum clasp highlights the selector lever. The footrest, the pedals. and the soft keys of the Audi MMI operating system shine in an aluminum-look finish.

New to the S7 are the available corner view cameras placed strategically around the vehicle to give the driver the confidence to park in any environment. The S7 sportback also features active lane assist, which allows the steering to help maintain lane discipline should the driver begin to swerve outside of the lane markings without activating the turn signalas well as Audi side assist, night vision assistant, and Audi pre-sense plus technologies.

Need to stay connected while on the go? Audi is the first company worldwide to feature factory-installed wireless Internet, enabling an onboard infotainment system called Audi connect™. With Audi connect combining Google Earth™ maps and real-time SiriusXM Traffic information, drives can see a true aerial view of their route. The system also boasts a rolling Wi-Fi hotspot, allowing up to eight Wi-Fi enabled devices to use the wireless connectivity simultaneously.

The 2013 Audi S7 Sportback starts at $78,800 (before luxurious add-ons, an additional $895 destination and delivery charge, and any taxes or licensing fees). That's still MUCH more affordable than the very elite R8 e-tron!