New features

the_pen_turner

if you could create any new feature on a car, van ,bike etc
what would you create



I would create a system so that you can start the engine and heat it up , and allow the radio,heaters etc to work but nothing else.
you couldn't drive the car in any way.
this way you can start your car a few minutes before driving and have it locked and secure so nobody could drive off

Comhrá

I would love a radio that would come on instantly the second you hit the button - just like they did twenty years ago, before they all become computerised and have to boot up over 5-7 seconds like most of the modern units I've encountered anyway.

NickDunne

I wish a manufacturer would make a "Build your own car" platform. Hear me out...

I'll use Ford as an example because I want to

If they could relaunch maybe the capri but sell it with no engine, alloys, radio, seats, just basically a race base rolling shell but have a rake of mount and loom kits to fit any Ford engine from any car(1.0 ecoboost, 1.6T, even the older 2.5 volvo engine).

Most people buying such a car would fit their own choice of wheels, suspension, radio and seats anyway.

It would have to be a global platform to cut costs down obviously but it means that any mental aftermarket swap kits the yanks could come up with(they do love their 2JZ and LS swaps) could be ordered and fitted to an Irish capri.

If the bare bone shell was dirt cheap it could take off

That's all I've got so far No one said it had to be realistic haha

mickdw

LIGHTNING wrote: »

^ That feature has been around for a long time. A number of the electric cars allow you to set a timer for the car to heat up the cabin etc in the morning.

And going to get a whole lot more common with a few more plug in hybrids about to hit the forecourts.

Del2005

A device which slaps the driver repeatedly till they turn dipped beams on when there's precipitation/fog or during lighting up hours .

bazz26

Need more cupholders. You never have enough cupholders I tell ya!

markad1

A feature to disable texting while driving

micks_address

markad1 wrote: »

A feature to disable texting while driving

If you use android auto it blocks use of your phone while connected to head unit..

Being able to start the car remotely and heat up etc would be great if it were on more cars..

Also more integration with apps GPS etc..

colm_mcm

Variable speed electric windows with analogue type switches where if you press hard it goes down fast and press light it goes down slow. A bit like the pneumatic systems they used to have on old mercs.

mickdw

colm_mcm wrote: »

Variable speed electric windows with analogue type switches where if you press hard it goes down fast and press light it goes down slow. A bit like the pneumatic systems they used to have on old mercs.

Didn't they do hydraulic windows on the old Pullman mercedes. Silent function would be fairly cool.

colm_mcm

Yes, either hydraulic or pneumatic, can't remember,
Realistically, nobody's gonna go back to that, but it would be a lovely feature to be able to slightly open/close the window slowly.

Sh1tbag OToole

Some sort of transponder that would show you the cars you can't see yet on a map. Wouldn't be much good unless everyone had it though and would be a bit big brother if it broadcast a unique ID.

Variable compression ratio engine, multi fuel, camless

Revive the preselector gearbox and give it more gears

Sh1tbag OToole

Some sort of transponder that would show you the cars you can't see yet on a map. Wouldn't be much good unless everyone had it though and would be a bit big brother if it broadcast a unique ID.

Variable compression ratio engine, multi fuel, camless

Revive the preselector gearbox and give it more gears

CiniO

For me - an open operating system in the car with full access for the owner.
Something that I could program any feature I'd like.

CiniO

For me - an open operating system in the car with full access for the owner.
Something that I could program any feature I'd like.

Sh1tbag OToole

CiniO wrote: »

For me - an open operating system in the car with full access for the owner.
Something that I could program any feature I'd like.

Did you ever use MegaSquirt or something similar?

CiniO

Sh1tbag OToole wrote: »

Did you ever use MegaSquirt or something similar?

No, never heard of it, but thinks for info. Looks very interesting...

Irish Steve

Updates I'd like on my vehicle in future.

A screen wash system that puts the water where it's needed, regardless of the speed that I'm doing.
A wiper system that stays on the screen and does what it's meant to regardless of the speed that I'm doing.
A headlamp system that recognises a vehicle coming towards me and dips the lights, and puts them on full beam when appropriate.
A foglight system (front AND back) that recognises fog, and puts the right lights on, and prevents them being used when they are not required.
A lighting management system that makes it impossible to drive in low light or bad visibility without the lights being switched on.
A heating system that can produce the required comfortable temperature for ALL the passengers at the same time, and still keep the windows clear of misting, even when the car is full.
An automatic locking system that recognises that the keyfob has come into range, and automatically unlocks the car.
An alarm system that allows the engine to be started but prevents the vehicle being driven away.
Parking sensors on both ends of the vehicle, with distances not just a fancy beep sequence, or even better, cameras that also show the distance
remaining as well.
Light systems that allow the owner to change ANY of the bulbs without special tools in a maximum of 5 minutes.
Fuel tanks that allow the owner to fill the tank without having to spend 10 minutes getting the last 3 litres into the tank.
Lids on screen wash bottles etc. that don't break the first time you open them when the temperature is below +10C.
Oil level dipsticks that show what's in the sump without having to be checked and tried several times and at just the right angle to avoid the oil being wiped off as you take the thing out.
Oil filler caps that you can pour oil into without it overflowing because the sections below don't drain fast enough
Oil filler caps that are accessible with one hand and don't need the strength of Swarzeneger to get them out to top the thing up
Engines that don't need massively expensive timing belt changes on a regular basis.
Automatic Dash Cameras that provide evidence of who was responsible for the accident.
Inbuilt navigation and communication systems that can call emergency services and give them a position report.
Inbuilt communication systems that block texting and social media sites when the vehicle is moving.

More controversial.

GPS systems that can detect "hot spot" areas such as schools at critical times, and enforce the speed limits for the area.
In car systems that can recognise incapacity due to drink, drugs etc, and prevent the vehicle being used.
In car systems to limit speed in dangerous conditions such as ice heavy rain or reduced visibility.


I've been driving for over 40 years, and when I think back to the vehicles I started driving with, and compare them to what we have now, there have been a lot of changes in some areas, but in others, the pace of change has been desperately slow or non existent, and some of my list above are items that have become worse rather than better during that time.

mickdw

Alot of your wish list are already in place.
Wipers have improved greatly since the single piece blades came in.
Auto dipping headlights together with auto on a dusk are common enough.
Climate control with zones are common and windows fogging are a thing of the past.

Pkiernan

the_pen_turner wrote: »

if you could create any new feature on a car, van ,bike etc
what would you create



I would create a system so that you can start the engine and heat it up , and allow the radio,heaters etc to work but nothing else.
you couldn't drive the car in any way.
this way you can start your car a few minutes before driving and have it locked and secure so nobody could drive off

Already exists in colder countries.
it's called "standheizung" in Germany

CiniO

LIGHTNING wrote: »

Nope Nope Nope, as somebody who works in IT security I don't want any fancy OS anywhere near my car. I would refuse to buy a car with IOS in it, I don't care if its the car of my dreams. Not happening at all

Why?

As well I wasn't talking about fancy IOS.
I was talking about system where user would have access to amend what they wish.
If I want my car to beep the horn 3 times after I lock my central locking I should be able to program it.
If I want it to play certain mp3 file when I excees certain speed - should be no problem.
If I want my rear electric window switches to open front windows and vice-versa, should be no problem.

I'm not saying examples above make sense. I'm saying I should be able to do it if I want.