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Did
You Know? Interesting Vehicle Features
When
you're thinking about what features can be had on your
next car, you can go way beyond power windows and sunroofs.
Take a look at some of these unusual current and not-so-distant
future features:
The
S-Class Mercedes has a tracking system that allows the
car to maintain a distance of 15 to 20 feet behind the
car ahead of you, no matter how fast or slow that car
goes. It works by controlling the speed of your car
based on the speed of the lead car, thus greatly reducing
the chance of rear-end collisions (especially those
due to driver inattention). If a car ahead suddenly
slows or stops, the system automatically applies the
brakes when it reaches the minimum safe distance necessary
to ensure it can stop your car before an impact takes
place.
Luxury
cars such as those made by Lexus, Mercedes, and Lincoln
(to name only a few) have made major advances in passenger
comfort, especially regarding climate control. The rear
seat is now becoming as comfortable as those in the
front. Beyond rear air vents, rear seat passengers can
now enjoy actual air-conditioned seats, meaning the
cool air blows directly through the seats themselves.
Other new passenger comfort features include rear seat
power recliners, rear power seats, and power footstools
that slide out from under the front seats. The Mercedes
SL-Class and Lexus SC 430 (as well as a few other makes
and models) offer a power-operated folding hard top.
This feature allows what would otherwise appear to be
a fixed-roof coupe to turn into a roof-less convertible
at the touch of a button. Expect more "drop-top"
coupes to include this feature in the near future.
Another
new innovation coming soon allows you to have a paint
color that varies with the temperature outside-kind
of like a mood ring! Manufacturers have already created
the paint, but have not yet begun offering it on production
models. Speaking of paint…soon you'll be able to
change the shade of your car's paint with the touch
of a button. You can change from light blue to a darker
blue, or from light red to a darker red, etc.
Not
all upcoming vehicle features are for fun or comfort
- some are for safety. There are now "smart"
airbags that determine the weight and height of the
person sitting in the seat. This is helpful because
the car can determine how hard it needs to deploy an
airbag in a particular accident depending on the size
of the person in the seat. And if the person in a front
passenger seat is under a certain weight, the airbag
automatically cuts off (thereby preventing serious injury
or death). We think this is a great feature, especially
for those people who forget common safety rules and
put a small child in the front seat. This "smart"
airbag feature is currently available in many newer
models.
Another
advance is a "smart" braking system that actually
determines the wetness and shape of the road and guides
anti-lock brakes to stop even faster. This system works
with the traction control system that's been around
for years, but coupling these two features allows better
control of your car when you use the anti-lock brakes.
These
"cars of the future" are fast becoming today's
realities. Look for them to enjoy better safety and
enhanced comfort on your next vehicle.
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