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What Are the Coolest New Car Features?
The automobile industry continues to make great strides, bringing new, creative features to market each year. Whether related to safety, comfort or convenience, carmakers develop a wide variety of new features to attract new-car shoppers. With countless hours behind the wheel of new vehicles, the Cars.com reviewers identified what they consider the 10 most notable features that debuted in 2007.

1. Lane Departure Prevention- Where you can find it: Infiniti EX35

2. Scratch Shield Paint- Where you can find it: Infiniti EX35

3. Around View Monitor- Where you can find it: Infiniti EX35

4. Full-Size Hybrid SUVs/Trucks- Where you can find it: Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chrysler Aspen, Dodge Durango, GMC Yukon

5. Integrated Booster Seats- Where you can find it: Volvo V70

6. Heartbeat Sensor- Where you can find it: Volvo S80

7. Easy Third-Row Access- Where you can find it: Hyundai Veracruz

8. Sirius Satellite TV- Where you can find it: Chrysler minivans

9. Sync Hands-Free System- Where you can find it: Various Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models

10. Volvo Blind Spot Information System- Where you can find it: C30, S40, S80, V50, V70, XC70, XC90

Not a bad list compiled by our friends at Cars.com but we would have replaced SYNC (so what...S-till Y-our N-ominal C-ar) and Heartbeat sensor (cool, but useless) with the Lexus LX570 Wide-view Front and side video monitoring system and the Stop and Go Active Cruise Controls found on the BMW 5-Series, Mercedes S-Class and Audi Q7, although it did not debut in 2007 (but neither did integrated booster seats).

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What Are the Coolest New Car Features?



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theoptimisticpessimisttheoptimisticpessimist - 12/3/2007 6:22:34 PM
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Because, according to me Lexus dealer, it only work about 25% of the time.

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theoptimisticpessimisttheoptimisticpessimist - 12/3/2007 6:23:28 PM
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Fadywwf316Fadywwf316 - 12/3/2007 5:49:00 PM
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If we're talking about 'cool' features, how can anyone overlook the Cadillac CTS' tivo-like dvr like (DAR really) feature? I love it in my CTS...whether its XM, AM, or FM...I get to a song I don't like, I just go back and listen to a couple I like then fast forward past the one I hate :)

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ThierryHenry14ThierryHenry14 - 12/3/2007 5:49:55 PM
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Heartbeat sensor is the dumbest feature because it just means that the Volvo security system is not good. I mean, if theres someone in there, then they must have found a way to get in. How dumb is that...

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SVTruongSVTruong - 12/4/2007 3:17:53 AM
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I'm sorry but I'd have to agree. This feature will probably never get used and it is way overrated. However, It may give peace of mind to politicians and ceo's who may always be concerned with getting knocked off like the movies =P. Not saying it's a bad feature, but it's not selling point.


BMW4me4everBMW4me4ever - 12/3/2007 5:57:04 PMView My AgentSpace
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also the car that parks itself, is a pretty useless feature. I dont know if " cool " doesnt mean lazy and dumb features. Cars will be driving them soon enough. Why not let us enjoy what we can now? cars park themselves, check your heartbeat, lane departure ( most know when they swerve into someone else lane it is called the sound of a horn ), blind spot ( now we dont have to look to merge lanes .. idiots ...

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budfrogS4budfrogS4 - 12/4/2007 9:22:40 AMView My AgentSpace
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Well if all of these innovations are uncool or retarded, why don't we try to come up with some ideas of our own? Or 001 could start another thread for this...

One idea I've had is to make autoglass have an automatic or adjustable tint based on how much sunlight there is outside. They make them for eyeglasses. Then when you park the car, you can choose a blackout feature that makes it impossible to see inside the car.


I95SPEEDINGTICKETSI95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 12/4/2007 12:02:46 PM
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That is probably the best Idea i have heard all year {Auto Related idea}


02chuck02chuck - 12/3/2007 6:02:12 PM
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Most of these "great features" allows the drivers to be even more stupid!!!!!! If you can't park a car or know when you are drifting out of a lane, your dumb ass should not be driving. Most of this crap is just a distraction from your key function, have your head up and DRIVING!!!!
I can go with the built in booster seat. I had to buy one from Volvo twenty years ago for my kids.

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Agent001Agent001 - 12/3/2007 6:33:13 PMView My AgentSpace
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Another cool feature that a lot of people don't know about is:

Also, early 2007 marked market debut of Audi Music interface currently available in our fiber-optic electronics cars like A6, Audi Q7, and A8. It offers 100% integration into the MMI system without having to touch the multimedia device. Customers can buy attachments for iPod, USB, and will be flexible for future new technologies and attachments. Also, it will come eventually to lower Audi models w/in the next 2 years or less.

001

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bimmerbimmer - 12/4/2007 10:55:29 AMView My AgentSpace
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I think BMW developed this already (there were videos about it) but not yet implemented.


AlexTxAlexTx - 12/4/2007 1:06:59 PM
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#10 was a world first on the Q7 last year and is now available on the A8, A5/S5 and upcoming A4.
#1: Available also on Q7, A6/ S6, A8/S8, although this has been available in Europe for a very long time!!


AlexTxAlexTx - 12/4/2007 1:08:10 PM
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Also... LED daytime running lights on A8 W12, S6, S8, A5/S5, and all upcoming Audis....


EL34EL34 - 12/3/2007 7:21:48 PM
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I think the Lexus LX570 Wide-view Front and side video monitoring system is a great idea.



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0to600to60 - 12/4/2007 9:33:14 PM
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YOU??? thinking something lexus did is great!?! Are you not feeling well today???


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 12/3/2007 7:27:00 PMView My AgentSpace
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Features Mentioned Above That Are Actually Useful:

2. Scratch Shield Paint
5. Integrated Booster Seats
7. Easy Third-Row Access
9. Sync Hands-Free System

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BMW4me4everBMW4me4ever - 12/3/2007 7:34:27 PMView My AgentSpace
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agree with S4. The other features are " useless"

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EL34EL34 - 12/3/2007 9:04:14 PM
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And you've never driven a car or SUV is Southern California because 99% of every street has sidewalks and intersections have crosswalks and there are many blind spots because of bushes and whatnot :)

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S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 12/3/2007 9:16:46 PMView My AgentSpace
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bleek, if the Lexus monitor thing was produced by BMW, you'd go on and on about what a stupid idea it was.

It's nothing anybody is going to use... err, correction, it's nothing anybody SHOULD use. It will only deplete LX570 drivers' skills further.

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EL34EL34 - 12/3/2007 9:34:08 PM
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S4cabriofoxone, I would use the wide angle camera system :(

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t_bonet_bone - 12/3/2007 8:42:56 PM
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The only feature that interests me is tire pressure monitoring. Now that's a true enthusiast (and non-enthusiast) feature.

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dwatsondwatson - 12/3/2007 9:12:43 PM
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I think most of the new features are pretty damn cool: Even if some are pretty "useless" and lazy.

I would probably think the front view system on the Lexus LX570 was stupid but having to pull out of an alleyway into a street with cars parallel parked on the side of the street has almost been disastrous on a number of occasions due to the fact that you just have to nudge out and hope no one hits you. It's priceless if you use it get the satisfaction of using it once a day.

The heartbeat sensor seems totally dumb to me. But I guess if some crazy freak were in my backseat and I was stoned enough to not notice it might up the awesome-factor for me.

Is the Infiniti's Scratch Shield Paint the same as the nanoparticulate ceramic paint used on some Mercedes?

Overall though I hate backup cameras...I consider myself to be an intelligent person but the wide-angle lens screws with my perception. I really like the radar view one on the BMWs. It's not the most current but I think it's simple and badass.

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S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 12/3/2007 9:18:51 PMView My AgentSpace
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And BMW should stick to their radar system, because apparently they can't make a backup camera. The one in our X5 is a joke. It's one of the car's very few flaws.


dwatsondwatson - 12/3/2007 9:26:35 PM
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Does it take long to load and then stay on when you drive forward?

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lexusis350lexusis350 - 12/3/2007 11:54:26 PM
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All of these things aren't really must-haves in my opinion. All of them, except #4 are fun to have, though. Especially the Sirius Satellite TV.

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bokuchinbokuchin - 12/4/2007 1:13:32 AM
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The 3rd Row Access whould be Acadia/Enclave/Outlook+(Traverse) with "smartslide". Most of this rubbish is useless though. and since when was the actual car a "cool car feature"?

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MunichRobMunichRob - 12/4/2007 7:19:14 AMView My AgentSpace
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The heartbeat monitor is the biggest joke on the list, it borderlines on 'book an appointment with the head doctor paranoia.’

Aside from what most people here seem to think though, I do think the lane departure system is a great idea for city driving or any other blind corner that comes your way, I hate having to lean over the dash to try & see on coming vehicles.

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budfrogS4budfrogS4 - 12/4/2007 8:31:28 AMView My AgentSpace
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I know this one's kinda old but I thought it was a really neat idea: the head's up display in some of the BMW models. I'm not sure if they still have it or if it caused problems with people seeing the road but I thought it was quite creative.

In case you don't know what I'm talking about here's a link: http://www.bmwusa.com/uniquelybmw/innovations/index

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TauronB2GTauronB2G - 12/4/2007 8:45:08 AM
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With the exception of the paint. All of that is BS. Why on earth do you need satellite tv in a car? If you can't tell that you are leaving your lane you shouldn't be driving. I don't need a screen to tell me whats around my car...thats why I have eyes. The heart senser...for what? Doesn't it have an alarm? I guess the integrated booster seat is okay...even if I don't have kids.
The rest of that is just bull.
T


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M35MTM35MT - 12/4/2007 9:11:37 AMView My AgentSpace
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The stop and go cruise control must be awesome. Wish it could work on a manual...but that's why they invented the automatic anyway.

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scorpioscorpio - 12/4/2007 11:20:26 AM
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Do I stand alone in thinking all these 'features' are useless other than making cars heavier and less satisfying to drive? Heartbeat sensor? Come on, where are all the car/driving enthusiasts!

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ShredmoShredmo - 12/4/2007 12:06:42 PM
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To make us better drivers, they could utilize the info from the lane change warning, active cruise, etc. Instead of merely warning you or altering the vehicles dynamics, it could tally whenever you violate it's sensors. This would be a great tool to prove to your significant other that they are a poor driver :) or that you are indeed a good driver. It could be used to rate your quality of driving. This could potentially make us better drivers.


vinsanityvinsanity - 12/4/2007 2:39:56 PM
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Rather than putting all these useless features in cars, they should make driving tests more strict and retests every year. This will force the general public to become better and safer drivers instead of relying on gadgets.

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