Technologically Advanced Cars

Shades799

Hey Folks,

I like my gadgets more than I like my cars, but I probably spend more time in my car than on my phone! What are people's views on the most technologically advanced cars for someone who might be in the market.

For me the Opel Insignia looks spectacular and the kit inside is top class (assuming you include the optional extras). Does anyone else have any other recommendations that also take into account reliability?

Maybe a grouping of Used\Quasi-Realistic\Lotto Car would be beneficial!

A spec-ed out New Insignia would set you back about 39k so is close to being a lotto car but I can still dream!

So, what are other people's thoughts?

Senecio

Sorry to dampen your enthusiasm, but cars should have a steering wheel, three pedals, a gear stick and a radio. Anymore gadgets than that and they become more of a distraction.

This is coming from arguably the biggest gadget geek in the country. I just don't think a car is the place for gadgets.

_Kaiser_

My A6 (despite being 9 years old now) has lots of toys..

- auto wipers and lights with DRL and coming/leaving home functions
- cruise control
- paddle-shift controls (never use them though!) and steering wheel controls
- all-round parking sensors with graphical display
- MP3/iPod connectivity with a 6-CD changer and BOSE sound
- Bluetooth integration
- electric rear sun blind
- electric memory seats
- auto-dipping left mirror when reversing
- auto-dimming rear/side mirrors

Fabulous machine. I'm spoiled now though!

The irony is though that all that tech is probably "ancient" now by PC/mobile standards

mickdw

I think the days of car manufacturers charging thousands for the type of functions we all have on smart phones are coming to an end.
Sure tech advancement in the cars function is brilliant- stuff such as radar cruise control, night vision and pre sensing of road surfaces for ride comfort and accident prevention but charging silly money for Bluetooth, sat nav etc is a joke.

Rowley Birkin QC

My E46 had a tape deck when I got it. After some mechanical issues, the ICE was the first thing I upgraded. Put in a Dynavin Android Touchscreen unit that fits in like an OEM product.

Can install Android apps, have a live speedo, do nav and stream Spotify when tethered to my mobile, which now lives in the glovebox! Great piece of kit.

Edit: Pic

Idbatterim

I was expecting new s class mercs or i8 bmw's etc to be in the OP, not an Opel LOL

biko

My favourite gadget in my car is the dash coffee cup holder, besides the radio it's the thing I use most.

bazz26

All just more stuff to go wrong and cost big bucks to fix. :pac:

ofcork

The s class is probably the benchmark car for new technology,alot of which filters down to others.

Idbatterim

took a read of the below article a few days ago, amazing stuff!

http://cars.ie.msn.com/features/how-bmw-plans-to-make-your-fuel-go-further-1#image=20

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2009/10/bmw-outlines-intelligent-heat-management-applications-for-reducing-fuel-consumption-and-co2-new-ther.html

Shades799

Idbatterim wrote: »

I was expecting new s class mercs or i8 bmw's etc to be in the OP, not an Opel LOL

Just happened to come across it so that's what prompted me! I'll go and lust after the mercs and bmw's now!

The Dagda

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

My A6 (despite being 9 years old now) has lots of toys..

- auto wipers and lights with DRL and coming/leaving home functions
- cruise control
- paddle-shift controls (never use them though!) and steering wheel controls
- all-round parking sensors with graphical display
- MP3/iPod connectivity with a 6-CD changer and BOSE sound
- Bluetooth integration
- electric rear sun blind
- electric memory seats
- auto-dipping left mirror when reversing
- auto-dimming rear/side mirrors

Fabulous machine. I'm spoiled now though!

The irony is though that all that tech is probably "ancient" now by PC/mobile standards

That's pretty much everything you could ever want or need and the VAG bastards go and make sexy Xenon LED lights and give you something else to desire.

Your car's a great example of a lovely car, I'm just pointing out how clever the manufacturers are at making you want something else.

And I'm not saying you actually desire the Xenon lights, just that I do :pac:

CreepingDeath

My 2007 Honda Civic EX has a lot of gadgets too.

- voice control of sat nav, air con, audio system, hands free phonekit
- hands free phonekit
- rain sensing wipers ( would prefer full manual control in fairness )
- built in satnav
- cruise control
- steering wheel control for radio, hands free kit
- usual electronic safety stuff like ABS and controls each wheel if one loses traction

Although I hear Ford is supposedly adding a lot of tech to it's cars.
That the "Ford Sync" system is opening up their API's to developers.

If a car manufacturer published a full API of their systems, safely with secure isolation of the main systems for security, then I imagine they could spawn a lot of open source development/apps/active plugins.

jimgoose

Mmm. The Insignia has a nice instrument binnacle. (Probably up there with Mr. May's legendary "good-quality indicator tick in Audis..." observation! )

I find the older I get the less arsed I am with gadgetry, particularly in cars.

CreepingDeath wrote: »

...If a car manufacturer published a full API of their systems, safely with secure isolation of the main systems for security, then I imagine they could spawn a lot of open source development/apps/active plugins.

That's all we need - a load of neckbeards squabbling over command-line options and the One True Rest Position for windscreen wipers from their bedrooms! :pac::pac::pac:

_Kaiser_

The Dagda wrote: »

That's pretty much everything you could ever want or need and the VAG bastards go and make sexy Xenon LED lights and give you something else to desire.

Your car's a great example of a lovely car, I'm just pointing out how clever the manufacturers are at making you want something else.

And I'm not saying you actually desire the Xenon lights, just that I do :pac:

It has factory Xenons too No LED DRLs though but I can live without that - it does have rear LED lights

Voodoomelon

I have heated and cooled cup holders.

mickdw

Voodoomelon wrote: »

I have heated and cooled cup holders.

I thought I was pretty aware of various options available but that takes the biscuit.

Colash

The 2011 Highline VW passat I picked up two days ago is riddled with gadgets and toys . I'm especially impressed with the blue tooth , proximity sensors and tyre pressure sensors to name a few .

Idbatterim

I have heated and cooled cup holders.

some of the luxobarges I have seen on the luxobarge thread i.e. cars 5k or under have fridges in boot!

Voodoomelon

mickdw wrote: »

I thought I was pretty aware of various options available but that takes the biscuit.

I tell a bit of a lie. The holders aren't heated per se, but when the air conditioning is on and at a low temperature, the air being passed to the armrest compartment and rear passengers cools the integrated cup holders quite noticeably.

When the air is set to warm or hot, the cupholders get nice and toasty.

mickdw

Colash wrote: »

The 2011 Highline VW passat I picked up two days ago is riddled with gadgets and toys . I'm especially impressed with the blue tooth , proximity sensors and tyre pressure sensors to name a few .

They are par for the course really given that they are sensible and worthwhile. Heated and cooled cup holders on the other hand would be extreme.

mickdw

Voodoomelon wrote: »

I tell a bit of a lie. The holders aren't heated per se, but when the air conditioning is on .....

Ya big fibber. Hey did I ever tell ya about my heated and cooled carpets

pred racer

Voodoomelon wrote: »

I tell a bit of a lie. The holders aren't heated per se, but when the air conditioning is on and at a low temperature, the air being passed to the armrest compartment and rear passengers cools the integrated cup holders quite noticeably.

When the air is set to warm or hot, the cupholders get nice and toasty.

IMG]

Mine does this too, I can set my armrest compartment to cold or hot.
This is on an 08 Alfa 159 lusso which also has as standard,
Bluetooth,
Media player with USB slot in the glovebox
Voice command for the above,
Cruise control,
Auto dimming mirrors,
Auto wipers,
Auto lights (they can be programmed for follow me home etc)
Dual zone climate control