It’s always fun to stop by the local dealership, auto body shop or car show to check out some of the new high-tech gadgets on the latest models. By now most drivers have heard about self-driving cars, multi-function tailgates, and crash-avoidance systems. But there are always bolder innovations appearing on the automotive scene that keep curious drivers hungry for more. Ready or not, here are 3 hot automotive technology trends for 2020 and beyond that are coming to a showroom near you.
If you ever watched the Back to the Future movies, you’re familiar with gullwing doors. Also known as “falcon wings”, they are hinged at the roof rather than on the side. The first passenger vehicle with gullwing doors was the 1939 Bugatti Type 64, although its famous French creator preferred the term portes papillon, or “butterfly wing”.
By the mid-1950s the Mercedes-Benz 300SL had gullwing doors, followed by the Bricklin SV-1 in the ‘70s, DeLorean DMC-12 during the 1980s, and a handful of other high-end models. After that, the concept remained relatively dormant until Elon Musk’s Tesla crew reintroduced falcon-wing doors in 2015 on their Model X crossovers.
That same year a tiny automaker from Liechtenstein called Quant came out with ultra-lightweight carbon fiber gullwing doors on its Quant F concept car. In general, gullwing doors can be problematic if you park in low-ceilinged garages or too close to other vehicles. But get used to the idea, because additional gull-wing auto introductions are already in the works.
The first patent for a push-button transmission was issued in 1909, and by the 1950s nearly every major automaker had offered electronic gear shifters on select models. Flash-forward to 2020 as automakers are trying to eliminate center console clutter to accommodate smartphones and other high-tech mobile devices.
As a result, console cupholders are staying but gearshift levers are not. And that’s where electronic gear selectors come in. Several auto manufacturers have been easing push-button transmissions into the market since the late 2010s, including Honda, Acura, and Fiat Chrysler. If your automatic transmission vehicle is equipped with an electronic gear selector, to go from park to forward or reverse you simply touch the display screen and wait for a response.
Unfortunately, there have been a few “glitches” with push-button shifters. For starters, it’s sometimes hard to tell when the car has finished shifting. Not only does that cause delays, but it can also be downright annoying. Secondly, there have been reports of accidents after drivers exited their vehicles with the engine still running after they thought the car was placed in “park, but it wasn’t.
Newer touchscreen infotainment systems are another product of the decluttering design craze. Naturally, touchscreens are nothing new, but today’s larger versions contain even more submenus that control everything from your vehicle’s moonroof to its climate. That’s all well-and-good for freeing up interior space, but some of today’s oversized touchscreens are proving to be overly distracting for drivers who are trying to concentrate on the road.
Peugeot, Tesla, and Audi have been innovators for advanced touchscreen systems, but on some vehicles, the navigation function goes away when scrolling through the various submenus just to perform a simple task like turning on the A/C. Thankfully, most automakers are keeping steering-wheel-mounted thumb controls for the same functions that can be accessed via touchscreens- at least for now.
As the 2020s play out some further improvements will hopefully be made so touchscreen infotainment controls are safer and less distracting to use.
Whether your new car drives itself or it’s older than you are, accidents happen. When your ride’s been dinged up in a fender bender, promptly take it to one of the reliable auto body shop and glass repair shops featured in the nationwide Carwise referral network. Once you do, I-CAR and ASE-certified collision repair professionals will use the latest technologies and services to promptly restore your ride like new again.
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