Modern cars offer innovations that many of us would never have considered possible a few years ago. For example, 15 years ago, very few people were talking on cell phones, let alone dictating directions into their car’s navigation system by voice.
Technology is not the only answer to building better automobiles. Design and style also play a big role in the automobiles of today. But it is what drives the industry forward and makes our driving experiences more enjoyable, and often safer. Consider some of the latest technical advancements when choosing your next vehicle.
Hybrid Technology
By now, most of us are familiar with hybrid vehicles. The technology itself dates back to the late 19th century when it was first used in motorcycles, but hybrids didn’t really gain traction in the market until the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius turned eco into chic. To maximize fuel efficiency, hybrid vehicles employ two or more power sources. The Scuderi Air Hybrid engine, for example, uses a split cycle system to develop more power and increase efficiency. But it most commonly a combination of electric motor and an internal combustion engine.
Continuously Variable Transmissions
Fortunately, the advent of hybrid technology came about at nearly the same time as the continuously variable transmission (CVT), which helps maximize engine efficiency.
CVTs possess no gears, at least in the way we commonly refer to them. Most drivers understand shifting between first, second, third, and so one until we reach a maximum of six, seven, or even eight speeds in several of the more expensive vehicles. But CVT transmissions don’t use a clutch or a torque converter. Instead, they feature heavy-duty chains that progress through an infinite number of gear ratios.
The first CVT transmissions were generally quite good, but provided the sense of a tightly wound elastic band ready to break at any moment. As this technology continues to improve, so too does the feel and feedback it provides.
In some cases, such as the 2011 Suzuki Kizashi, paddle shifters on the steering wheel allow for the shifting of "gears," providing the driver with a sense of control and oneness often lacking in a CVT-equipped automobile.
Fuel economy can be dramatically improved with this type of transmission by allowing the engine to run at peak efficiency. In the future, it is conceivable that almost all vehicles will be equipped with CVTs, which generally provide a better alternative to shifting gears manually or with a standard automatic transmission.
Batteries
In the same way transmissions continue to improve, battery technology marches forward. Lighter, smaller, smarter, and faster are all words associated with the newest systems. Batteries are one of the biggest contributors to the overall weight of a vehicle. As new technologies are introduced, the benefits of an additional energy source easily overcome any negatives associated with the added mass.
To provide perspective on the amount of power today’s hybrid batteries develop, a typical AA battery distributes 1.6 volts. Normal voltage for the Highlander Hybrid battery pack is rated at 288 volts. Maximum power output is set at 45 kilowatts. Activating an EV switch located on the dash allows the vehicle to run solely on electric power for short periods of time. This is particularly useful when sitting in rush hour traffic, something most of face on a daily basis.
GPS Navigation
"The Road Not Taken" is a famous poem by Robert Frost. But more often than not it seems to apply to our use of current navigation technology. If only the navi system could think like a local and not always take such an indirect route to our destination.
Accident Avoidance
There are many times when we find ourselves multi-tasking while driving a vehicle. It goes without saying that we should not be talking on our cell phones or texting, but what about situations where you are looking one way to merge onto a highway and not necessarily giving your utmost attention the vehicle stopped in front. What if they don’t move and we accelerate thinking they have? The results could be catastrophic.
Volvo’s City Safety is designed to act as the secondary mind we all wish we had. At speeds up to 9 miles per hour, City Safety brings the vehicle to a rapid stop should it sense an impending collision. It momentarily assumes control, applying and holding brake pressure for a maximum of 1.5 seconds once the vehicle is safely stopped. City Safety will then start to slowly roll ahead as a way to remind the driver to apply the brakes.
A warning light flashes on the dash to acknowledge that City Safety has been employed and hopefully the driver is now fully aware and paying attention to the road ahead. City Safety does not take the place of good driving, which constitutes being aware of your surroundings at all times and braking when necessary. But it is a buffer to prevent the fender benders that can so easily cause other problems.
Unsold Prius sedans sit at a Toyota dealership in Frederick, Colo. The carmaker’s latest recall puts another dent in its reputation for building safe and highly reliable products, and it could force the automaker to ramp up sales incentives, analysts warn.
