The hastening pace of technology is not the monopoly of computers. Automobile manufacturers are also in a rush to make the car of the future, especially with regards to pollution reduction as the world faces its greatest challenge yet: climate change.
In his article to the New York Times last December 30, 2007, contributor Don Sherman highlights ten of the most progressive technological advances made by the automotive industry in 2007:
1. Lithium-Ion Batteries – These do away with fuel altogether by providing energy to an electric motor. Many big-name companies such as Toyota and General Motors are still developing their technology, but Tesla Motors will be able to deliver cars running purely on lithium-ion batteries by 2008.
2. Two-Mode Hybrid – Earlier hybrid models only had one mode: the car shifts from gasoline to electric when it slows down or becomes idle; and it switches back to gasoline after a certain speed. This mode—called the input split mode—can also use both gasoline and electricity when more power is need – such as when towing.
Now, the collaboration between GM and DaimlerChrysler (now Daimler and Chrysler) bore fruit in the form of a second mode called a compound split. Available in the new Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon Two-Mode SUVs, the compound split mode allows for cruising at faster speeds while still saving on fuel.
3. Smart Idle Stop System – Mazda has come up with an engine that doesn’t shudder when reawakened from fuel-saving slumber.
4. Sync – This is a network that connects portable gear such as cellphones to the car’s audio system. Developed by Ford and Microsoft, Sync allows the driver to issue basic voice commands to play stored music or make phone calls.
5. Around View Monitor from Infiniti – Four miniature cameras on the car’s sides, front and rear are merged to provide a single bird’s-eye view on the dashboard screen.
6. Diesotto from Mercedes-Benz – This is the name of the 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine of the Mercedes-Benz F700 S-Class sedan. Named after Rudolf Diesel and Nicolas Otto, this engine has diesel efficiency and gasoline cleanliness at the same time.
7. Height-Adjustable Child Seat – Introduced first by Volvo, this seat supports small children at a high level, and larger ones at a lower level. This gives kids a better view while helping them be held properly and more securely by their seatbelts.
8. Durable Carbon Fiber – Ordinary carbon fiber is prone to peeling after years of being exposed under the sun if not protected by paint, but GM has created a clear-coat formulation for carbon fiber so that this can withstand the damaging UV rays.
9. Eight-Speed Transmission from Lexus – Quieter cruising, faster acceleration, and nominal improvement in gas mileage is what Lexus achieved with a wider spread of ratios between first and eighth gears.
10. HD Radio – Radio stations have upgraded their FM and AM broadcasts to digital, thanks to iBiquity Digital. With this, listening to the radio sounds clean and clear like music from a CD.
Not all of these are necessarily new to 2007, but these developments “are likely to see wider use,” according to Sherman. In fact, exactly last Christmas, Green Car Congress reported that Fuji Heavy Industries will begin selling its Lithium-Ion-running Subaru R1e a year early – that is, in 2009.
