In order to connect, passengers must posses a SIM card with a data plan, or a Bluetooth-enabled phone that is capable of being tethered to the car’s “infotainment” system. Audi is not charging any fees, so the only cost, other than the price to add the accessory, is whatever your wireless carrier charges for the use of data.

Audi has yet to determine availability and pricing for the system here in the United States, but representatives of the company say that the mobile internet option will likely be offered on American models.

For those who feel the Audi A8’s pricetag is a bit steep, but still want to keep the ‘net at their fingertips while traveling, mobile internet solutions have been built into the latest version of Ford Sync, and are available via dealer-installed accessories in the Cadillac CTS and various Chrysler vehicles.

According to the folks at Audi, details about the system’s U.S. availability and pricing have yet to be determined. However, they say the mobile internet option will very likely be offered on American A8s.

According to GM spokesman Alan Adler, its vehicles either have brakes strong enough to allow a stop within 554 feet when traveling at 60 mph, or have override systems. Models sporting brake overrides already include the Cadillac CTS-V and STS-V, the Chevrolet Corvette, Camaro V8, Malibu L4, Colorado V8, Cobalt and HHR, and the GMC Canyon V8. He also said that adding the overrides to more of his company’s models will require the activation of a GM-developed algorithm that each vehicle’s brake system already includes.

In a statement to the press, GM Vice Chairman Tom Stephens said that installing this technology would give extra reassurance to consumers. Adding brake-overrides will also help GM be better prepared for any regulatory changes that may be caused by the aftermath of Toyota’s issues. Last month, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said that his agency may propose mandatory brake-override systems on all new vehicles. At that time only GM and Honda, among all major auto manufacturers, were without such systems – or firm plans to implement them – in their vehicles.

Automotive News reports that Toyota has issued a statement as well, stating that it will be installing brake-overrides on seven current models, and will introduce the system on all models for the American market by next year. Currently, about one-fifth of the U.S. Toyota vehicles sport this technology.

An unnamed source at General Motors says plans for an electrically-driven luxury Cadillac are still moving forward, though no decision has been made about what that car will ultimately be.

At the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, the Converj concept car was introduced, but it was essentially Cadillac’s version of the Chevy Volt electric car, a compact car already scheduled to go into production late next year. The Volt is plug-in electric with a gasoline engine used to generate electricity for long-range driving, but it can travel up to 40 miles under it’s electric power charge before it must rely on gas.

While the Cadillac electric car in the works is likely to resemble the Converj, it won’t be exactly like the Volt. Why not? In a word, luxury.

Cadillac, it seems, has learned from it’s first hybrid offerings like the 2010 Escalade Hybrid, and what its learned is that customers are generally not willing to sacrifice the comfort, features and performance they’ve come to expect from the brand.

What does Cadillac say about plans for an upcoming electric?

In an interview with CNN Money spokesman David Caldwell put it quite succinctly: “We’re not in a position of announcing anything like that.”

http://www.carseek.com/reviews/cadillac/2010-escalade-hybrid/