Lane-centering assist is a safety technology that uses front-facing cameras to monitor the vehicle’s spacing between the lane markers, then takes an active role in electronic steering and braking to maintain the vehicle’s lane position.
Keyless entry is a feature that enables drivers to actuate their cars’ door locks at a distance. The simplest systems require a driver to press a button on their key fob to actuate the locking mechanism. More advanced systems, called “proximity keys,” use near-field communication to detect a matching key fob and automatically unlock the doors when the fob is in a pre-defined proximity.
An in-car PA (personal address) system is a feature that allows drivers to communicate with rear passengers via onboard speakers or headphones. In-car PA systems are typically available in minivans, 3-row SUVs, and other large vehicles preferred by buyers with large families.
A heated steering wheel is an amenity, often optional, in automobiles that warms the steering wheel before or during driving. The function can be operated manually or automatically and be paired with remote start as part of preconditioning the cabin during cold weather.
Heated seats in automobiles are a convenience feature using electric coils to warm seat cushions at the push of a button, usually located with the other climate controls or on the seats themselves.
A head-up display (HUD) is a system that projects important information onto the back of the windshield just below the driver’s line of sight. Considered a safety and convenience feature, the head-up display allows drivers to check their speed, the posted limit in their location, and some vehicle functions without taking their eyes off the road ahead.
Harman Kardon Premium Audio is an upgrade sound system available in multiple automotive brands. When automakers want to add sound…
Forward collision warning is a driver safety system that uses radar, lasers, or cameras to detect other vehicles ahead of the driver’s car and uses that data to trigger warnings to the driver. Such safety systems can also detect other obstacles, like people, cyclists, and animals, in the path of the moving vehicle.
Dual-zone climate control, sometimes called dual-zone automatic climate control, divides the vehicle’s cabin into left and right zones, allowing the driver and front passenger to each select their preferred temperature settings.
Carbon fiber is a stiff, lightweight material made from chains of carbon atoms. Carbon fiber is costly and labor-intensive to fabricate, so cars that contain it will mostly be luxury sports cars and racecars. Carbon fiber is used in sports cars to reduce weight but maintain structural integrity. Although metal is stronger, carbon fiber’s strength-to-weight ratio is superior.
