Technology And Cars In 2016: What’s New

There’s no doubt technological advances in new car engineering seems to be accelerating every year. Even within the last ten years, the idea that electric cars would be gaining popularity – not to mention achieve supercar levels of performance – would have been dismissed as fanciful. Who could have foreseen the rapidly growing demise of the humble car key thanks to keyless ignition? 

2015-chrysler

2016 is showing no sign of technological enhancements abating. Here are some to look out for. 

Apps 

If you own a smartphone, then apps can make a big difference to motoring often for little or even no cost. 

Sat nav – apps from traditional sat nav manufacturers such as Tom Tom can alleviate the need to have a dedicated unit in the car or an expensive in-car solution. 

Dashboard replacement – apps such as Android’s ‘Dashdroid’ make for a safe way to use your smartphone to quickly access frequently used functions. 

Entertainment – with mobile Wi-Fi and more powerful mobile internet such as 4G, streaming music services such as Spotify can be enjoyed on the move 

Car management – apps that enable you to use a virtual owner manual by simply pointing your phone at a specific part of the car to summon relevant information, and management apps that monitor the health of your car, are coming on stream and are particularly handy. 

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto 

One of the frustrations for some drivers is the clunky way their in-car infotainment systems work. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto seek to standardise things so, depending on what smartphone platform you use, your infotainment system should sync easily with it. It will break down the boundaries between dashboard and smartphone displays. 

Multi camera systems 

You may have a rear facing camera fitted to help with reversing, but car makers and aftermarket specialists are introducing camera systems enabling you to see your car from the outside at all sorts of angles – even a bird’s eye view. 

Imagine the different this could to learners? It’d certainly make the manoeuvres easier and allow them to concentrate on picking up the rules of the road. 

Turbochargers and smaller engines 

Although more a resurrection of technology popularised in the 1980s during the ‘hot hatch’ phenomenon, the turbo is gaining traction again. Engine technology means smaller engines can be more powerful and efficient than their older counterparts, and a turbo increases power without much of a fuel consumption penalty. 

Cars like the family-sized Ford Focus can now use a small 1.0 litre engine – a ridiculous idea even a few short years ago. 

Increased automation 

The driverless car is endlessly being predicted and elements of it are already here. We’ve heard of the car that helps you park – but how about a BMW that parks itself for you without your even having to be inside? It’s not some sci-fi dream. 

Lighter weight 

Cars were becoming heavier as, class by class, they were gradually increasing in size compared to their predecessors and having more equipment added. 

Advances in lighter-yet-stronger steel and carbon fibre reinforced plastics help new models shed pounds; for example, the forthcoming Aston Martin DB11 has a stronger yet 20kg lighter body shell than its predecessor, the DB9. 

Headlight bulbs 

LED headlights will likely spell the end for frequent and inconvenient bulb replacement. Powerful Xenon lighting is already here, of course, but makes for an expensive option on certain models. 

Into the future 

More technological advances will appear as we continue to head on the way to the driverless car and existing innovations are enhanced ever further. Just like the cars they sit within, technology doesn’t sit still. Even the most basic of models in the modern day can seem like a technological advance in minuscule ways and vehicles are linked in with our lives in the strangest of ways, not just in terms of a driverless car, but the act of driving is a different experience than it was a few years ago. Whether it’s 15 Weird Hobbies That’ll Make You Better at Result Trafic Sport or using your vehicle to earn an extra income, the future of vehicles aren’t all about the norm. And as cars are becoming even more essential to every aspect of our lives, we need to roll with the punches, technically and ideologically. 

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