04 Dec 07
Jaguar XF gear lever
Technical improvements to cars have been around since Karl Benz dispensed with horses.
Today, the kind of innovations that the carmakers are adding are highly sophisticated, but how many of them could we actually do without? 4Car looks at some of the latest gadgets and gimmicks, and subjects them to the most robust benchmarking available. Kind of.
In short: Press the glowing starter button and the automatic gear knob rises from the centre console.
Positives: It's a lovely action, like the lens emerging from a compact camera body.
Negatives: Serves no useful purpose. Something else to go wrong.
Volvo Blind Spot Information System
In short: Cameras tucked under the door mirrors scan the blind spots for cars or motorcycles overtaking your V70. If they spot one, they set an orange light flashing.
Positives: It works: your eye is drawn to the relevant mirror and you keep looking until the vehicle comes into view.
Negatives: Can be distracting. Doesn't work in grotty weather, when you need it most.
Citroen Land Departure Warning System
In short: If ground-pointing sensors spot that you've crossed a white line without indicating, your seat vibrates.
Positives: Cheaper than buying a Mercedes CL with massage seats.
Negatives: It's not only lines between lanes that trigger it: big arrows and chevrons painted on the road will set your bum a-tingling too.
