The best automotive technology options of 2010-2011

The best automotive technology options of 2010-2011

The latest technology options for your car

Several important innovations in safety, fuel economy and driver comfort hit the road while others migrate down from luxury models to moderate vehicles. Here's the technology that's hot in 2010 and 2011 models.

By Bill Roebuck

Ford's SYNC system can provide WiFi internet connectivity on the road.

What's the main feature of 2010 and 2011 models coming to showrooms this year? In a word, it's cleverness. We'll see advanced features that we only could have imagined a few years ago -- mostly thanks to sophisticated new electronics.

In a nutshell, electronic devices such as sensors and controllers are providing automakers the opportunity to enhance the driving experience, improve vehicle safety and make any vehicle a more enjoyable place to spend time.

According to auto industry pundits, the average new car coming off a production line today has the same amount of electronics as a commercial airliner did two decades ago. Just think of sophisticated navigation systems and GM's OnStar crash-response system as proven examples. In fact, aviation developments have often been a forerunner of those in the automotive business -- both seatbelts and airbags were originally developed for airplanes.

Navigations systems and hands-free Bluetooth technology are becoming ubiquitous, not just in high-end models but basic ones as well. For example, Hyundai has made Bluetooth a standard feature in it's 2010 Santa Fe -- even in the base model, says John Venile, vice-president of marketing at Hyundai Canada.

"There is a growing segment of automotive consumers who are driven by technology," says Mike Marshall, director of automotive emerging technologies at J.D. Power and Associates. "Integrating and delivering advanced user-facing technology in vehicles will continue to gain importance among manufacturers fighting for market share."

"Consumers are spending so much time in their vehicles today, so it's become increasingly important for them to remain connected," says Jim Buczkowski, director, Global Electrical and Electronics Systems Engineering at the Ford Motor Company. "But we realize that all that connectivity and information doesn't help people unless the system is easy to use. That's why we've worked so hard to make sure our navigation system is not only extremely functional, but exceptionally intuitive."

In that vein, Ford recently introduced SYNC MyPhone, a new phone contact list app for SYNC users that allows them to create, manage and download multiple address books to Ford and Lincoln vehicles. It is compatible with all current production versions of Ford SYNC and is available for free download at www.syncmyride.com.

Ford's SYNC pairs with a Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone to allow drivers to use simple voice commands such as "Call Mike Smith at home" to make hands-free calls while driving.

Interior of the Nissan Leaf electric car. Photo: Nissan.

Studies by the Consumer Electronics Association show that as many as 77 million adults in the U.S. make up the so-called technology enthusiast drivers population, more than half of whom express the desire for a connected communications and information system in their vehicles. Even among the general population, more than one third would be interested in the ability to check e-mail and access websites in their vehicles.

As a result, Ford will offer that function this year. Its second-generation SYNC system will incorporate an in-car WiFi system powered by the driver's USB mobile broadband modem, turning the entire car into a mobile hot spot.

Electronics-based technologies that gave us hybrid gas-electric vehicles are nothing unusual today. Yet functional and affordable fully electric vehicles aren't that far off, again thanks to continuing research and development in technology. For example, the electric 2011 Chevrolet Volt is expected in showrooms in 2010, while Nissan's LEAF all-electric real-world car will be on the road in British Columbia in 2011, in advance of global distribution in 2012. Both use the latest lithium ion batteries.

The LEAF, which can seat five passengers, will have a range of 160 km on its batteries. Although the Volt can only travel up to 60 km on its initial battery charge, at that point its gasoline engine starts a charging generator to extend its range an additional 500 km. Despite having a gas engine, the Volt is propelled exclusively by electricity in both its electric and extended-range modes, producing a top speed of 160 km/h.

Some other examples of what you'll see in 2010 and 2011 models follow.

Safety

Vehicles with a cocoon of airbags have become pretty standard for 2010, with front, side and side curtain airbags standard on many mainstream models, not just high-end luxury ones. For example, Ford's Personal Safety System includes dual-stage driver and front passenger air bags, thorax side air bags for the front seat occupants, safety belt pretensioners, a seat weight sensing system for the passenger seat and crash severity sensing. Many SUVs for 2010 now include rollover curtains for extra protection in case a driver messes up and gets the shiny side down.

Also, knee protection airbags that were first introduced on the Lexus LS 430 a couple of years back are now widely available on many luxury models -- with more to come. For example, GM's new compact car, the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze (which will replace the Cobalt), will come equipped with knee air bags, part of a total of 10 standard airbags -- the most in any vehicle in the compact segment.

Ford plans to introduce a world's first -- inflatable seat belt restraints -- on its 2011 Explorer SUV. The advanced restraint system is designed to help reduce head, neck and chest injuries for rear seat passengers -- often children and the elderly -- who can be more vulnerable to such injuries.

“It's a very simple and logical system, but it required extensive trial and error and testing over several years to prove out the technology and ensure precise, reliable performance in a crash situation,” says Srini Sundararajan, safety technical leader for Ford research and advance engineering. Over time, Ford plans to offer the technology in vehicles globally.

Safety innovations also extend to outside the vehicle with technology such as the Intelligent Adaptive Front-lighting System introduced by Lexus on most of its models. Designed to let you see around corners at night, the lights swivel in the same direction as the car is turning.

Infiniti's Lane Departure Warning System can be a boon for drowsy drivers.

Another is Infiniti's Lane Departure Warning System (available on the 2010 Infiniti Q45, M and FX models). It warns you when you stray out of your lane, maybe because you're distracted or falling asleep. A camera on the rear-view mirror reads the road ahead and alerts you when you appear to be drifting in the wrong direction. Similar technology is available on other makes as well.

Likewise, Volvo's BLIS (Blindspot Information System) uses cameras in the side mirrors to detect vehicles entering your blind spots and then flashes a light to bring this to your attention. Blind spot monitoring also is available on the redesigned 2010 Mazda CX-7 and the 2010 Lincoln MKT crossovers, along with the 2010 Ford Taurus. The Taurus also boasts Cross Traffic Alert to help you safely back out of shopping mall parking spots.

Moreover, already under development in Europe are pedestrian airbags that deploy on the outside of a vehicle to provide head protection to a struck pedestrian.

Another innovation, Ford's MyKey system, gives parents the option of programming a teen's car key to limit the audio system's volume, limit speeds, and to sound continuous alerts if the driver doesn't wear a seat belt. MyKey will be standard on some 2010 cars and trucks and spread to the entire Ford and Lincoln line-up as models are updated. Why go to the trouble? The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says car crashes are the leading cause of death among teenagers. The more safely they drive, with fewer distractions, the less likely it is they will crash.

Adaptive cruise control -- also a feature of the new Lincoln MKT -- is becoming even more sophisticated, with the latest systems using laser beams to detect vehicles ahead and slow your vehicle down to avoid a collision. The best of the bunch also work in stop-and-go traffic situations at low speeds, which is a new enhancement, and some can bring your vehicle to a complete stop, though none are intended to replace driver response. Ongoing innovations in this technology include BMW's Active Cruise Control and Volvo's City Safety technology.

Such systems are important, because as Volvo's research shows, about 70% of all collisions occur at speeds below 30 km/h, and in 50% of those collisions, the driver takes no action whatsoever.

Powertrain innovations

Say goodbye to four-speed transmissions. Vehicles like the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe are ditching them in favour of six-speed manual and automatic gearboxes to improve shifting smoothness and most importantly raise fuel economy. Even the turbocharged version of the 2011 Buick Regal, to arrive in showrooms in the second quarter of 2010, will offer a six-speed manual. (Yes, a stick shift in a new Buick!) Mercedes-Benz models have had seven-speed transmissions for a while already, but even eight-speed transmission are available, such as in the new BMW 7-Series luxury sedan.

Regarding engines, the most interesting news -- aside from hybrids -- is about the newest diesels -- which are faster, quieter and smoother than ever before -- with great fuel economy to boot (as good or better than some hybrid models). Among the best new examples are the 2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 Bluetec sedan and the 2010 Volkswagen Golf Wagon TDI.

These powertrain developments aim at improving fuel economy, but that's not the only way to do it. Low rolling-resistance tires on the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe and coming on the company's 2011 Sonata are another example. These tires have increased silica content in the rubber, as it helps to reduce the rolling resistance and therefore improves fuel economy.

Comfort and convenience features

Among consumers who plan to purchase a vehicle in the near future, entertainment- and connectivity-related features are among the most desired technologies for their consideration, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 U.S. Automotive Emerging Technologies Study. Premium surround sound garners the highest interest rate among these near-term vehicle intenders (72%).

Entertainment options continue to expand. For example, the 2011 Toyota Sienna minivan will offer a wide split-screen entertainment system.

Ford will introduce inflatable seat belts for small passengers in 2011 models.

The 2011 Infiniti M, coming in the spring of 2010, is intended to serve as a true technological tour de force, says the company. Infiniti will offer its next-generation hard drive navigation system with a 9.3 GB MusicBox hard drive, Intelligent Cruise Control to Distance Control Assist, and both Lane Departure and Blind Spot Warning/Prevention functions.

Infiniti also will introduce a newly developed climate control system that emulates the air of the natural environment. The Forest Air System keeps unpleasant odours from entering the car. It can also neutralize bad air already inside the car, such as tobacco smoke, or if the baby in the back seat 'lets one go'.

In fact, more automakers are paying attention to rear seat passengers. As an example, the 2010 Subaru Tribeca now has adjustable rear-seat cooling.

Speaking of cooling, in the 2010 Ford Flex, you can get a class-exclusive refrigerator mounted between the second-row Captain's chairs. The compressor-driven refrigerator can cool up to seven 12-oz. cans from room temperature to about 6°C in just over two-and-a-half hours. That's 40% faster than a standard home refrigerator.

How about the car that parks itself? Introduced by Lexus on its LS 460 L to reduce the ordeal of parallel parking -- a frustration for many drivers -- self-parking technology is under development by several manufacturers, including Ford, which is now offering it as an option on its 2010 Lincoln MKS sedan and MKT crossover. The technology uses a dashboard video display, sensors on the front and rear of the vehicle, and electric power steering, to guide the vehicle into a parking space -- all with the push of a button.

Not all new innovations are technology-based. For example, a neat feature introduced by Subaru for its 2010 Outback is a new roof rack system with hidden crossbars that can be moved into position across the roof only when they are needed. Otherwise, they stow along the side roof rails, which helps improve fuel efficiency and reduce noise by lowering the crossover's overall wind resistance.

As far as vehicle design goes, almost every manufacturer is making its new models sleeker to reduce drag and boost fuel economy ratings. In some cases, the changes are subtle, such as in the 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe, where conventional door handles are being replaced by a hidden touch-sensitive pad so the surface remains smooth.

In automotive life, it really wasn't that long ago that cupholders and eight-track audio were novel developments. With today's innovations, we all can expect to have a safer, more enjoyable driving experience. And the future? What we get might even be beyond your imagination.

Posted Feb. 6, 2010. (This article was written on Dec. 23, 2009.)

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