Every since I started publishing videos of my KITT replica Trans Am, people have been asking questions about the iconic, yet still missing KITT dashboard. Although I’ve decided not to install it in my car and keep the dashboard stock, I want to share with you why and what alternatives I see for a possible 21st century KITT dashboard. Might give some inspiration to the film makers, should they turn the many reboot rumors into reality.
Hey guys, wishing everyone a happy 2020! I sincerely hope that it’s gonna be a great year for everyone reading this post….and beyond, of course. 🙂
Over the Christmas holidays I’ve been thinking a bit how I want to continue with my MotorScotti YouTube and social media presence. The video says it all. I’m looking forward to making lots more useful and entertaining content with regards to cars, motorcycles and anything connected to wheels and engines. Stay tuned, Carl
KITT created – step by step
KITT is in the making, the phoenix will rise from the ashes and glow of passion. But first things first. In order to make such a project happen, you need to make several packages and line them up on a timeline, basically create a plan. That’s right, and here it is: the build plan for my KITT, from start to finish. Keep you scanners peeled and watch carefully! 🙂
You made it possible!
So my MotorScotti YouTube channel just reached 1’000 subscribers! What I started with a fairly modest short clip of my Yamaha XVS Drag Star 1100 motorcycles has gone through being a model car review channel to becoming a DIY how to repair and modification channel about cars in general and mores specifically the Peugeot RCZ. As mention in my channel update video, it’s time to move on to the next chapter with the Pontiac Firebird KITT project.
Over the years I have received a loads of constructive and positive feedback from all of the viewers and I am really greatful for your support! I enjoy documenting my little automotive and mechanical projects and share it with the world to help others who are looking for the information I provide and simply show that with a little bit of dedication you can do it, too! At you own risk, of course!! :-p
Anyway, this is just the beginning of a lot more to come. Thank you for your continuous support and stay tuned!! 🙂
Reach for the satellites
Time goes on and with that technology evolves or at least changes. Sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. 😉 The fact is that in Europe, the classic AM/FM radio has reached the beginning of its end. Depending on in which country you live, AM/FM radio transmission either already has stopped or will seize to exist within the first half of the 2020’s. Some countries actually intend to keep it up. However, in order to be prepared for the day after, I have decided to install a Digital Audio Broadcasting antenna to hook up to the android autoradio of my RCZ. Here’s how to install it and set it up! 🙂
A whole new point of view
Ever since I installed the android color screen autoradio I knew that this would only be the beginning, a start to a new chapter of my RCZ. Not only would I now have the possibility to look at a nice modern touch screen radio, it would also be the foundation for further improvements of my car. So, what is the first logical step to install when you have a proper screen in your car? Exactly, a reverse camera! Find out how to install it in the video below! 🙂
PS: Bear in mind that although I’m presenting this installion on the RCZ, the reverse camera itself is not car brand specific, neither are the cable connections. Connection wise you can proceed the same way regardless of the car you have as long as you have the same cables on your reverse camera harness.
Personalization is king
If you read the previous article and watched the clip, you might be missing something. Exactly, it’s one thing to know how to install an aftermarket android color screen autoradio to a Peugeot RCZ and another one to set it up. From startup logo to reverse camera, there is a gazillion settings you can personalize to your liking. What else? Click on this video and find out! 🙂
Catapulting the RCZ into the 21st century
The RCZ is a well built and styling little GT car. The kind of style that has a real potential to become a classic collector’s item in a few years, just like the 504 Cabriolet and the 406 Coupé. However, when you look at the dashboard, there’s just one thing that makes it look quite dated today, even when it came out in 2010: The center control unit. Just look for yourself:
Clearly, some cars are best kept original and some just need ‘a little help’. How about keeping the original style but adding some of the modern day gadgets like a color screen and android technology with all the apps you can have on a smartphone. Speaking of which, this opens a gate to whole new world! What world? Find out by watching the below video. 🙂
From Back in the Race to Push to Pass
After the successful implementation of the “Back in the Race” recovery plan by the end of 2015, which was launched in April 2014 and set to be completed in 2018, PSA Peugeot Citroën (who by the way recently changed their official name to Groupe PSA) released its new strategy plan “Push to Pass” on April 5th 2016. Now that the company is in solid financial and structural shape, it’s time to set the goals to the next step.
So what is this next strategic plan all about? Basically, PSA want to be ready for the so called automobile revolution, that has already started and will probably go on for the coming decade. In short, PSA has realized that they have to focus on their customers, more so than on the cars themselves – from VIN number to the person. In this day and age where everything is getting digital and connected, the companies that will be successful tomorrow are the ones that have access to customer information and know how to get the most out of them. Anyone heard of Big Data before? Obviously, PSA will continue building cars as their core business, but it sees its future as a mobility services provider, more so than just a car manufacturer.
Once again, the focus will shift from ‘just’ building and selling cars through their traditional dealership network, to a customer centered approach. By that PSA means using the the data provided by the customers through whatever connected device they are using. Hence, experience, rather than ownership will be important in the future. Providing mobility services due to their digital transformation.
Connected Life
What exactly does digital transformation mean? It means that most aspects of our life are being integrated into the internet of things: Every object and even living being will soon be connected to the internet in order to make their application more user-friendly and customer tailored. Houses (lighting, heating, access, oven,…), cars, watches, glasses, lawn mower, your dogs localization and even your puls monitor and many more things will be connected to the cloud where many people already have their agenda, photos, videos and social media accounts.
Let me give you an example: You go to bed in the evening and set your alarm clock on your smartphone for the following day. The smartphone picks up the traffic news in the morning, knows that the commute to work will be longer due to a traffic jam. It automatically sets the alarm clock earlier for you to have enough time to get ready and get to work on time. Coffee machine and toaster prepare breakfast as you switch off your shower. Your autonomous car will pick you up at the entrance door and drive you to work while you can prepare your meetings.
Granted, this is just an example of what it could look like and who knows when exactly that will be accessible to the broad majority of people. However, it shows that automobile corporations, such as PSA see where the trend is going and how the generations Y and Z will want to live. So far I haven’t said anything about the privacy issues and hacking risks that this technological evolution will bring, but that’s another subject.
Back to PSA
Anyway, let’s focus on PSA. Carlos Tavares, Chairman of the Managing Board, seems to have set his people in the right direction. Let’s take a more in-depth look at their plan and look at the five core transformation elements.
By 2021, PSA wants to be transformed into the mobility provider it has now set its strategy for:
- From product to customer: Shifting the view from only building cars to the customer and it’s mobility needs.
- From ownership to experience: Being a PSA customer doesn’t necessarily restrain it to car owners alone.
- From car to mobility: People want the right mobility for any given time, which can mean renting a car, traffic infos, or even having access to carsharing models like Uber or Lyft.
- From one business to a portfolio of businesses: In conclusion, putting the customer in the center of attention suddenly opens the door to a variety of businesses connected to mobility that include life facilitating apps and information.
Can PSA make it?
Whereas these new business models would have been unthinkable ten to fifteen years ago, it is now absolutely necessary for the car companies to diversify their activities within the digital and connected world if they want to survive. Technology companies like Alphabet (Google), Apple and Tesla are likely to become serious competitors in the future, as those elements will become the center of development.
But can PSA really make it? Four years ago the corporation was as good as bankrupt. Furthermore, Volkswagen and other major established manufacturers are not sleeping, either. On a contrary, albeit the problems VW is struggling with due to their so called Dieselgate affair, they are likely to be far ahead on that subject. However, as Carlos Tavares pointed it out several times, he doesn’t believe that size is the only way to succeed as an automotive OEM, you need to be profitable and flexible. I believe that they can make it and that this new, customer focused strategy is the only thing PSA has been missing during its entire lifetime. The products have been very good for most of the time, they just had a very bad customer relationship management and didn’t really listen to them.
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