Garmin says it will add customizable diagnostic gauges to their Nuvi GPS devices. The new system, EcoRoutes ESP, will connect to your car’s onboard diagnostics port (OBD-II) to deliver previously inaccessible information about the car’s performance and likely more accurate driving data such as arrival times.

Available sometime next year, the EcoRoutes ESP module will send information to the GPS unit through Bluetooth. You’ll be able to choose which information you want displayed on the screen, including things like fuel economy, throttle position, intake manifold pressure, intake air temperature, coolant temperature and emissions.

The iPhone has similar programs available, but the Garmin module looks preferable because of its bigger screen, which makes room for more gauges covering more information. As Gizmodo points out, though, Google Navigation is also on the way and will make the competition in this realm fierce.

Garmin Communicates With Your Car Via ESP (CNET via Gizmodo)