In this digital age the pace of change in the automotive industry is rapid and exciting. We are a long way on from being impressed by electric windows, and while some classic car brands have built their name on superior quality and traditional designs, and their target market rather like it like that, the rate of development in other areas of the industry is seeing some big names leading the way in technological wizardry.
Here we have taken a look at five of the biggest car manufacturers currently leading the way with their embracing of technology.
Mercedes Benz
You might think that Mercedes have always been a leading light in safety, comfort, performance and speed, but this has taken a modern twist with the development of their all-electric EQS in 2022. Mercedes have taken the lead in developing electric propulsion technology which combines both luxury and tech. Yes, you have a 56” ‘hyperscreen’ for your driver, passenger and central controls, but you also have an innovative air suspension system which reacts to road conditions seamlessly. And with a very good range of 350 miles from one full battery charge, Mercedes is taking some ominous steps forward in the eyes of its competitors.
Tesla
You can’t create a list combining cars and tech, without Tesla sitting somewhere near the top of it. The brand that has given electric vehicles (EVs) mass-popularity has introduced many elements of novel tech and made them usable and accessible for the average car driver. Many of these have since been widely mimicked, such as the large touchscreens first launched for the 2012 Model S, integrating mobile devices in-car and the development of autonomous driving. Don’t expect this hunger for innovation to dry up any time soon, with multiple comfort features and driving aids still unique to Tesla and plenty of new ones still in development.
Porsche
Given that the Porsche 911 was first introduced to the market 60 years ago and remains its flagship car, you would expect the same basic design and shape to have been boosted by improving tech over the years, and you’d be right. In today’s 911, Porsche has added water cooling and amazing info-display screens, but most Porsche drivers are interested in performance. Here the 911 Turbo S cleans up via 700 hp with less than four litres displacement, but Porsche isn’t resting on its laurels and is definitely looking to the future. Its all-electric Taycan has been compared to various Tesla models, so the definitive performance car is definitely keeping up with the pace of technology.
Volkswagen
The German giants have always pushed the boundaries to innovate in the market, but the ID series of EVs has taken this to another level, so much so that VW is the first premium manufacturer to commit to stopping producing traditional diesel and petrol vehicles in the coming years, it has already stopped making the engines. Having developed an all-new EV platform VW has gone all-in on EVs, while not forgetting that its brand has been built on producing cars that are engaging and fun to drive. Many observers comment that the ID range is just that, and hence has already caught up with the existing range of VW classic cars.
Lexus
Launched as Toyota’s rival to the German luxury car market, Lexus prompted a heavy investment in tech in its early years to provide the smoothness, comfort and quality that those big, established names are known for. Many people say that Lexus provides understated tech, but they have been clever in appreciating that people want proven reliability and not gadgets driven by hype, perhaps the opposite to the Tesla approach. And yet Lexus still provides a driver experience that is modern and sophisticated, with just the right blend of exciting but dependable tech. In a market that is developing fast, there will always be a place for that.
