High-tech features

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Berrern

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I tried a search, but couldn't find any threads dedicated to this matter.

Basically, what I wanted, is a thread where people can post information about more or less "high tech" functions/features found in modern cars. Whether it's a huge feature, or just something very small - whether it's a sports car or just a "standard" car, please post/discuss it :)

I'll start up with 3 things I've found out:

Lane change warning:
In the new Citroen C5, Citroen has introduced a new system, trying to battle accidents due to people falling asleep. It works like this: Once your car crosses a line (whole line, dotted, or whatever) in more than 50 MPH - without using a blinker signal, the drivers seat will start to vibrate very heavily. If you're crossing a line on your right, the right side of the seat will vibrate - and of course the left side will vibrate if you cross a line on your left.

Clearing the rear window when reversing
For the first time, I tried a Volvo V50 the other day - and I noticed that when I put the car in Reverse, the rear window viper would automatically engage, and wipe the rear window twice. Small feature, but practical :)

Different ignition keys
A friend of mine has recently bought a rather new Corvette, and he explained a sweet feature for me. The car has about 380HP, and comes with 2 sets of ignition keys. One set will let you utilize the entire engine, while the other will limit the horsepower available. This way, you can lend your car to your son (if he's old enough to drive :p), and give him the "smaller" key, in an attempt to prevent an accident.
As we all know; inexperienced drivers shouldn't get control over as much as 400HP - but a key that only lets them utilize a quarter of the engine is simply a superb way of thinking. Very high-tech if you ask me :)

Anyway, please post your experiences - so we all can share the vast (but common only to certain car types/brands) technology available!
 
That key thing sounds amazing, really good idea 👍

The passenger side wing mirror on my dads Citroen tilts in and down slightly when you put the car in reverse, to help you see behind the car better.
 
MAn, I hate to call BS, but I've never heard anything about 2 "different" keys in vettes. I'm also a little wary because that car has 400 horses, not "about 380." I'm not saying your friend made it up, but I just can't find any info on it, and I've never heard of it.
 
I've also heard that the C6 requires you to shift from first to fourth directly unless you're at full throttle. Never heard of the two keys thing though. How would the engine even do that? It hasn't got variable valve timing, it hasn't got displacement on demand, how could it electronically cripple itself like that?
The current BMW M5 does this though, it has a 400 hp mode (vs the full 507).
 
It could be fuel mix, or just limit the RPM.

The lane changig this is good but I have heard some people annoyed with the reverse tilting-lights.
 
My uncle's 330xi does the mirrir thing, and he hates it. took him half an hour to figure out how to turn it off. And the vette only forces the shift if you're not engaged in "spirited" driving. Several variables that determine that, so its not just the full throttle deal. But that's one good way to get out of the skip! They have to do it for EPA ratings, but it's pretty easy to disable from what I've read.
 
Well, as long as it's easily disableable, that's not fatally stupid.

-Pontiac Sunfires have a thing on the stereo that gradually steps up the volume the faster you're going. My friend almost crashed once while trying to figure out how to turn it off. Stupid idea, if you ask me. It's like they anticipated that all the interior bits would come loose and start vibrating at speed.
-Some French car maker (I think, it might have been Fiat :p) introduced a system which can automatically detect rain and turn the wipers on. It could also have been Renault, because I think I recall Famine complaining about how stupid a feature this was on his girlfriend's Clio.
-The Cadillac XLR has magneto-hydraulic fluid in its shock absorbers. This allows the dampening rate to be varied electronically.
-The BMW 535d has a unique twin turbo system which smoothly transitions from a small fast-response turbo at low RPMs to a large high-boost turbo at high RPMs.
-Saab introduced a variable compression ratio concept engine at the 2000 Geneva motor show. I haven't heard anything about it since. info
-The VW group Twin-clutch gearbox is also pretty neat.
 
I love the reverse-down mirrors, for the record. I do it manually in my cars that don't have them. It's a great feature for judging curb distance on parallel parking.

My car has cooling seats, a remote starter and DVD navigation with a built-in DVD player that has been wired to play DVDs even in "Drive." I love that stuff. The convertible version of my car and other top-line Mercedes have pop-up rollbars that pop up automatically in the event of an impending crash. They also pop up under full acceleration from a stop. In Mercedes equipped with adaptive cruise control, the adaptive cruise control system, Distronic, is set to detect impending accidents. When it does, the driver seat is lowered and the seat belts are tightened.

However, technology doesn't always work. When you're in the left lane, Jaguar's adaptive cruise control system brakes when making sweeping lefts on interstates if there's a vehicle in the right lane. And Volkswagen's high-intensity lights, particularly on early Touaregs, have been known to shut off when they see another of the same lights coming their way - they're automatic on/off, and they think the other lights are, in fact, the sun. I've heard that Lexus's automatic wipers can be triggered to wipe the windshield from the inside of the vehicle.
 
Twin keys on a Vette? I've never heard of that and I've driven many C6's, as well as work around them. Could be something I missed but I have never heard of that. If you show me, I'll admit that I over looked something.

Cooling seats are by far one of the coolest things I've seen on a car. Although they are a bit weird at first.

The radio that gets louder when you acclerate is on all GM models, my Blazer had it and I hated it, it was an annoying feature on the radio.

Magneto-hydraulic fluid was used on the c5 Vettes as well, it's pretty inovative.

But one cool feature I've seen is the head lights that turn around the corner.
 
Reverse-down mirrors are definitely very useful; and anyway, it's the little things like that that make all the difference (I'm not too keen on adaptive cruise control and that stuff, because there are too many "maybes" and "what-ifs" involved).

Good thread topic. 👍
 
M5Power
In Mercedes equipped with adaptive cruise control, the adaptive cruise control system, Distronic, is set to detect impending accidents. When it does, the driver seat is lowered and the seat belts are tightened.
Click to expand...

It also shuts the windows.

I'm pretty sure the c6 doesn't have a limited power setting but I do remember reading that the zr1 had such a system for valets and eager sons.

A couple companies are developing systems (mercedes being the most significant) that use radar to sense oncoming objects. They then apply light brakes and full braking power if the driver puts their foot down. The only problem is that they can't sense fleshy items such as a person.

I'm kinda scared of all the new systems. I think all they do is make the driver lazy and ignorant of what their car can and can't handle. What will a driver do when the lazer cruise control system they've learned to depend on fails? Plow into a semi because they thin it will slow them?

Edit: Linkage backing up the zr-1
http://www.lmclassics.com/page/page/863838.htm
 
Good thread......

1 - While not exactly "high tech" or a new idea, my Rubi has factory air-lockers for the front and rear diffs. At the flip of a switch on my dash, I can lock either, or both, of the diffs. Combine that with the 4:1 TC, and big mudders, and I can get just about anywhere when offroad. They aren't really "new" because people have been putting air-lockers on 4x4s for a long time. But, to have it come factory, thats kick ass. Jeep knows whats up.

2 - My fiance's Cooper S has the rain sensing wipers. I think they are fairly decent. Its not that great, but sometimes when you are travelling, you get lazy, and just let them work. The car also will automatically vary the wipers with speed. Again, little, but welcome. Also, the remote, just like every other BMW, will let you put the windows down from outside the car. So, say your walking to the car on a hot day. You can put the windows down before you get there, vent the heat, and the interior will be a little less stuffy. Again, simple, but great for the hot, steamy summers here in the midwest.

Those are just a few I could come up with off the top of my head from the cars here in the house. Well, that and my Talon's magic trick it does where it makes a full tank of gas vanish in a day. THATS a good one. HA

Hilg
 
Good thread,

A couple of things came immediately to mind, firstly on an engineering side, the new and Honda's first Diesel engine is an astonishing item. The usual rattles-like-a-london-cab diesel noise is practically non existent. I found out they eliminated it by offsetting the crankshaft. Typical diesel rattle comes from piston slap, which must be acceptable to standard diesel design. By changing the crank's position to be out of line with the piston centres they must have changed the load paths and stopped the pistons rocking. If anyone knows where there is a decent engineering drawing, can you post a URL as I'd like a look.

Also I heard about BMW (I think) putting a system in top end motors that would parallel park for you, if you stopped next to a space, using radar and other such white man's magic. I remember wondering if it was being developed for my sister... Her alloys have more chips then a casino.

thanks,

Kurtis.
 
Emohawk
-Some French car maker (I think, it might have been Fiat :p)
Click to expand...

Fiat is italian :dopey: , and it was Renault to introduce automatic window wipers its just a panel that detects vibration that activates the wipers, my girlfriend also has one, they also have automatic lights aswell and she has climate control, so the temperature in the car adjusts itself to the right temperature to keep you either cool or warm - if you put it on auto setting that is.

- The new Renault megane you can buy as an extra, a rear view mirror which dulls down when someone is driving behind you with bright lights the mirror gets darker avoiding blinding you.
 
xcsti
I'm pretty sure the c6 doesn't have a limited power setting but I do remember reading that the zr1 had such a system for valets and eager sons.

Edit: Linkage backing up the zr-1
http://www.lmclassics.com/page/page/863838.htm
Click to expand...

Yes, that's the one. I never said it was a C5/C6.
From the text you pasted, it looks more like there is a separate keyswitch than two different ignition keys, I'll ask him closer about this.

It's nice to see you guys posting, I love reading about these more or less high tech innovations. The BMW auto-parker sounds amazing, definitely Gods gift to women behind the wheels ;)

I also had the automatic wiper speed thingy on my Citroen C3, but it's not really that good. Sometimes, even on sunny days, the vipers would start. And sometimes during heavy rain they moved with the lowest speed. A bit 'buggy', so I stopped using it.

More stuff:

On my friends' Volvo S70, when you unlock the car with the key during evening/night - the whole car lights up. There are lights underneath the side mirrors, which illuminate the whole side of the car and the ground underneath it. Pretty cool!

On the new BMW's (I think other manufacturers are starting to implement this system too), whenever you completely let go of the gas pedal, the brakes go into "reaction mode", meaning that the brake pads move as close to the brake discs as possible without touching them - so if you have to break, the brakes will react much faster.

I can't remember which make this system is implemented on, I think it's the new Mini's, but again I'm not sure. Anyway, when you leave your car with the roof"hatch" (not sure of the proper word :p ) open, and it starts raining, it'll automatically shut itself. Small feature, but practical nevertheless.

And the last one, which applies to the new Range Rover. Say you want to make a right turn, into another street - and you start turning your steering wheel. The headlights will then turn parallel with your steering wheel, causing the street you wish to enter to be lit up. Sweet! :)
 
Good thread. 👍

My favorite high-tech features are the relatively new active suspensions that have made their way to sub-$100,000 cars in the last 5 years or so.

With a traditional damper and coil spring suspension, the designers must make compromises between ride comfort and handling, usually trading some degree of one, in order to gain the other. An active suspension can increase roll stiffness when it is needed for handling and stablity, and decrease it when it is not, for a better ride.

There are basically two types of active suspension on the market today. One style is to vary the amount of shock dampening with a variable rate shock that is controlled by a computer based on driver input. Porsche's PASM and the Corvette's MSRC are two good examples of this.

In the Porsche system, a bypass valve in the shock is opened or shut by the computer, allowing near instantaneous adjustment of damper levels. In the Corvette, the shock fluid contains electromagnetically charged particles that actually change properties when an electrical charge is passed through them. A high enough charge can change them to a near solid state.

The second type is used on BMW's 7, 6 and 5 series and uses an anti-roll bar that is electrohydralicly stiffened or even fully released depending on the driving situation. In straight and level travel, such as on a highway, the anti-roll bars are completely decoupled, allowing for a smoother ride.

When the computer senses a turning manuver, it stiffens the anti-roll to virtually eliminate body roll. The only disadvantage of this type of system, aside from cost and complexity, is the additional unsprung mass in the suspension. BMW calls this system Active Handling.

BMW has introduced a new system on the new M5 and M6 called EDC, which is a variation on the Porsche system. Non M models will continue with the Active Handling setup.

There are also a few aftermarket active suspension packages available. One is called Praxis, and this system takes it one step further by allowing you to select the ride height without having to even get out of your car. It's basically a high-duty airbag system that can be retrofitted to existing cars, allowing for near stock ride or at a push of a button, a low and hard track setup. It is currently only available for Subarus and BMWs.

Berrern
On the new BMW's (I think other manufacturers are starting to implement this system too), whenever you completely let go of the gas pedal, the brakes go into "reaction mode", meaning that the brake pads move as close to the brake discs as possible without touching them - so if you have to break, the brakes will react much faster.
Click to expand...

Yes, this feature has been standard for a few years now. It primes the braking system for a possible panic stop by pre-pressurizing the brakes.

On the new 3-Series, if the rain sensors detect rain, it instructs the computer to very lightly sweep the brake rotors at regular intervals to ensure water doesn't get between the brake pads and rotors, keeping your brakes "dry" even when it's raining.


M
 
barryl85
Fiat is italian :dopey: , and it was Renault to introduce automatic window wipers its just a panel that detects vibration that activates the wipers, my girlfriend also has one, they also have automatic lights aswell and she has climate control, so the temperature in the car adjusts itself to the right temperature to keep you either cool or warm - if you put it on auto setting that is.
Click to expand...

My girlfriend too.

Then she gets in my car and drives around everywhere with the lights off and rain covering the screen, wondering why it's so warm and everywhere is moving past so damn quick.
 
I hate to break it to you, but that "rather new" corvette is at least 10-11 years old if it was a ZR-1.

And the Duramax from GM is really quite too. It came out in 2001, I think. No deisel clatter at idle, and just light at cruising speeds.
 
Many have said this before, but I'll say it again: Good thread!

I think BMW has a system that opens the car's doors when the key is near the car and locks them again when the key/driver has gone away from the car. It also senses when the key is inside the car, and when it is, it's possible to start the car. Pretty cool
 
RSCosworth
Many have said this before, but I'll say it again: Good thread!

I think BMW has a system that opens the car's doors when the key is near the car and locks them again when the key/driver has gone away from the car. It also senses when the key is inside the car, and when it is, it's possible to start the car. Pretty cool
Click to expand...

Except that every time you go back to check that the locking mechanism has actually worked, the car unlocks - so you'll never know if there's a fault with the system...
 
Famine
Except that every time you go back to check that the locking mechanism has actually worked, the car unlocks - so you'll never know if there's a fault with the system...
Click to expand...

That's easy to fix, you can let a stranger hold your key.
 
It won't be a problem. BMW's Comfort Access feature will not unlock the doors until the owner pulls up slightly on the driver's door handle or presses the unlock button on the key fob.

...at least, this is what they tell me of the version we will get here in North America this fall.

Lexus and Infiniti already market the same type system.


M
 
Famine
Except that every time you go back to check that the locking mechanism has actually worked, the car unlocks - so you'll never know if there's a fault with the system...
Click to expand...

That's like the light in the fridge! You never know if it's on or off :dunce:
 
The vette has a keyless fob you can just keep in your pocket, too. You can start it and drive it around and everything, and never get hte key out of your pocket.
 
The road test I saw went into detail on this:
If the battery fails (disabling the keyless system) the only keyhole on the car is on the back end in the top of the licence plate recess. You use this to open the trunk, pull a cable to open the drivers door, go up to the cabin and pop the hood, then jump the battery.
Reminds me of how Mr. Bean locks up his mini :D.
 
Prius has the keyless thing, too. It's one of the few cool things about the car. There appears to be a heat-sensitive surface on the inside of the door handle, as soon as you touch it, it unlocks.
 

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