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Ford previews updated Police Interceptor Utility for Chicago debut

With more law enforcement agencies across the United States alone than we'd care to count (or ever encounter), selling police cars means big business for American automakers, with Ford, Chevy and Dodge competing to fill the motorpools of every police department, sheriff's office and government agency in the land. For its part, Ford offers the Taurus-based Police Interceptor sedan and the Explorer-based Police Interceptor Utility, and it's preparing to unveil a revised version of the latter at the upcoming Chicago Auto Show in the same city where it's built. Dearborn hasn't given us much to go on with this teaser, showing just a darkened front shot of the vehicle in question with its emergency lighting all aglow. But it's fairly clear that the Interceptor Utility has been given many of the same updates applied recently to the Explorer on which it's based. That starts with the revised sheet metal, but considering that the Interceptor Utility exclusively packs V6 power, the 2.3-liter EcoBoost four that was one of the biggest updates to the civilian Explorer isn't likely to carry over. Ford does, however, promise that the revised Police Interceptor Utility will be "even better" than the model it replaces" and pack "more high-tech features." Related Video:

Google's new Android Autos OS unveiled, will be in cars this year [w/video]

Connected cars are coming en-masse. We know this much. How, though, remains something of an open question, especially as two of the world's largest tech companies are preparing to battle for control of your car's dashboard. On the one hand, we have Apple and its CarPlay system. And now, we know what Google has been working on with Auto Link.
Its new name is Android Auto, and yes, it's based off the Android architecture that is the primary challenger to Apple's iOS mobile operating system. Announced at Google's I/O conference today, Android Auto functions similarly to CarPlay - owners will need to plug their smartphones into their cars to access the full breadth of capability.
In Android Auto's case, that means a wealth of voice controls to limit distracted driving. Google's marquee apps will be available when the interface arrives in production models later this year, including Google Play Music, Google Maps and voice-activated texting and text playback. Meanwhile, developers will be able to begin designing custom apps for the new system via an upcoming software development kit.

Feds looking into Ford Explorer exhaust leak complaints

There may be a burgeoning problem with exhaust leaks in the 2011-2014 model year Ford Explorer. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is examining multiple complaints of a gasoline smell in the cabin of these SUVs. However, the exact cause of this problem is still unknown.
"The agency is reviewing all available data and will take appropriate action as warranted," said a NHTSA spokesperson in an email to Automotive News. Owners seem to generally complain on the regulator's website of the smell entering the cabin through the air vents. At this time, the government organization has not yet opened an official investigation into the problem, though. When it does begin inspecting vehicles, NHTSA posts a detailed breakdown of its public data online.
Similar problems have been reported about the Explorer in the past, though. In 2013, Ford issued a recall for the 2013 model year of the SUV due to a fuel leak that could cause drivers to smell a gasoline odor and repaired them again later for another possible leak. In response to Autoblog's questions, Ford responded via email: "We are not aware of a NHTSA investigation. We are currently reviewing the case and in the event that any action is required, we will address it promptly."