They will develop impressive technology but will work towards adding features for intelligent driver assistance and resist jumping to driverless operation of cars.
The director, whose previous work had included gritty features including Taxi Driver and Raging Bull, said that his east coast pedigree had made it tough to impress the Academy.
Both models will also apparently come packed with features, include driver and passenger side airbags, interior and exterior LED lighting, a "solar assisted" climate control system, and an "advanced drive computer" that includes GPS, a rear-view camera, and a complete vehicle diagnostic system.