| It used to be Agent 007 enjoying the sweetest | | | | available on the new S80 sedan, uses cameras. |
| ride on the road. But that was before. Nowadays, | | | | The systems are not complicated. It does not |
| each driver is given the opportunity to ride | | | | need the assistance of Audi rotors or of a Volvo |
| high-tech autos. That fact makes James Bond | | | | head gasket to function well. It could function just |
| jealous for sure. | | | | with the rearview mirror. Both systems utilize LED |
| Spectacular auto features are now made | | | | displays near each outside rearview mirror to |
| available by automakers but they also come with | | | | warn a driver that he should not try to change |
| awesome price tags. Nonetheless, these gadgets | | | | lanes because a car is in or is rapidly approaching |
| are worth it. From push-button parking to night | | | | a vehicle's blind spot. |
| vision systems, today's auto and car features are | | | | Another high-tech auto feature is called the |
| simply fascinating. | | | | sophisticated night vision. BMW, Lexus, and |
| A few years ago, a vehicle could show the | | | | Mercedes-Benz introduced updated versions of |
| driver the location via digital map. The car could | | | | the Night Vision system, which was initially offered |
| take control when it begins to skid. It could also | | | | by Cadillac. The systems allow a driver to detect |
| automatically maintain a set of distance from the | | | | objects and passersby beyond the reach of a |
| car in front. However, these auto features are | | | | vehicle's headlights. The system uses infrared |
| becoming increasingly common. Hence, there has | | | | technology to sense heat from people, animals, |
| to be something more interesting and useful. | | | | stopped vehicles, and other objects up to several |
| What's next? How about a car that parks itself? | | | | hundred feet in front of the car. |
| Drivers who are oftentimes faced with parking | | | | The precollision system is also awesome. The |
| problems will find the Lexus Intelligent Park Assist | | | | system is engineered to detect an impending |
| system pretty much beneficial. The said feature is | | | | collision and automatically adopt measures to |
| available on the Toyota Prius and offered as an | | | | avoid it. Some automakers use radar to detect |
| option on the redesigned LS models. Essentially, | | | | and alarm and warning lights to alerts drivers of a |
| the system enables the driver to pull up to an | | | | possible crash. If the driver did not respond |
| available parking space by just pressing a button. | | | | immediately, the system take the necessary |
| According to Lexus, the driver only has to apply a | | | | steps like applying brakes, shutting windows, |
| little braking pressure. | | | | adjusting seat positions for maximum air-bag |
| If you find the Intelligent Park Assist system not | | | | effectiveness, and activating safety-belt |
| that beneficial, you may find a system that keeps | | | | pretensioners. Lexus has formulated the |
| an eye on blind spots interesting. According to | | | | Advanced Pre-Collision System (APCS) to avoid |
| statistics, many road accidents occur when the | | | | "preventable" collisions. |
| driver tries to change lanes without being aware | | | | On-the-road entertainment is also booming. |
| of a vehicle in his "blind spot." This is the reason | | | | Portable audio systems like iPods and MP3 players |
| why Audi and Volvo formulated their versions of | | | | are now auto compatible. Mercedes-Benz, for one, |
| systems that answers this quandary. | | | | offers a glove-box-mounted iPod-docking station. |
| Audi's Side Assist system, launched in the new | | | | It gives power for the iPod and enables the driver |
| 2007 Q7 SUV, uses radar to detect other | | | | to use the car's steering-wheel to operate it. |
| vehicles. Volvo's Blind Spot Information System, | | | | |