technology packs.......who needs em??

[Rodp]

Originally Posted by b0son

I wonder how many people who say tech = gimmick own a smartphone....

I fail to see the correlation.

I can use my smartphone to accomplish meaningful tasks that actually help me do my job (among other things..) a lot more efficiently.

What we've come to accept as standard (air-con, power windows, power steering, bluetooth) help achieve higher levels of comfort and safety while driving - that I'm fine with. A doodad that shows me how many G's my car is currently pulling is, IMO, a gimmick.

[Grunter]

Originally Posted by Rodp

.. A doodad that shows me how many G's my car is currently pulling is, IMO, a gimmick.

I disagree. I now know thanks to the g meter, that if I pull anything over 0.85 G to the left, my partner puts her hand on the top part of my leg to brace herself. It's an essential bit of tech!

[JG34JA]

Can't wait for the touchscreen icon that opens the quarter vent windows.

[Mercury 8]

Originally Posted by JG34JA

Can't wait for the touchscreen icon that opens the quarter vent windows.

I wonder if I will be able to retro fit that technology to the wagon.

[The Yeti]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Thats the biggest thing keeping me out of older vehicles even as a nice weekender.

Stereo can be fixed no worries, but retrofitting A/C is a pain in the ***.

If its got a carby, forget it, EFI all the way at least I know how it works lol, none of this strange mechanical wizzardry going on.

No don't let that stop you, old cars are an experience you can't get by me telling you how cool they are you need to drive one, own one to really know them, and for a weekender you fond need AC etc & carbies are fine as are Kettering ignition systems, but I don't care how well it's tunes did would'nt want to compute day in day out in 2014 traffic. And that's why my wife's daily is a 2014 build not a pre 60 build

[Rodge]

Interesting debate. The most advanced vehicle I've driven is the latest facelifted BMW 750i Motorsport.
I thought many of the new technology features were very useful and many added a lot to the drive experience.
5 way adaptive suspension, (rear is air suspension) and active electronic antiroll bars were extremly impressive in that you can completly change the nature of the vehicle from relaxed limo to go hard sports saloon depending on suspension selections. Adaptive cruise with stop and go function was extremly useful in traffic jams and on congested motorways, adative LED lighting which changes direction with the steering wheel is cool as is the way it puts some sort of block on a section of the high beam output when a car is coming the other way to optimise your lighting without affecting the opposing vehicle.
Harmon Kardon sound was very cool, 8 speed ZF exceptionally responsive and off the charts better than our aging 6 speed system.

Then there's the less tantilising stuff that's still useful to some extent as a background safety aid, stuff like blind spot alert, lane deviation alert, forward collision alert and so on.

OTOH there's also the luxury kit that's also nice, heated and vetilated seats and a seat base that extends to suit your leg length being noteable examples.

Argumments that technology doesn't add to the drive experience don't hold much water for people who've been fortunate enough to have experienced some of the best there is. That said, none of this stuff comes for free and I think for the money high performance Ford's / FPV's have at times offerred very good bang for buck, (less and less so as they've gradually got further and further behind). Its such a shame Ford America didn't see fit to equip the Falcon with the very best global technology available. Just have a look at all the tech that's been available in a Mondeo Titanium for many years for examples of what at least in theory, should already be in our Falcons. What technology Holden have achieved with the VF shows what can be done when the parent company is working in full cooperation with the Australian subsidiary. Questions remain as to why Ford America couldn't have taken a more cooperative approach to sharing latest technology with Ford Australia too. Maybe i'll be wrong and the forthcoming FH will be chock-a-block with all the leatest and best technology Ford global has to offer, for some strange reason I'm not holding my breath.

[UberKnee]

All these gimmicks will once become compulsory in cars. Hell running water was once a luxury, I doubt anyone would do without that.

Originally Posted by Falcon Coupe

They are the kind of thing you don't miss until you have them.
The new Territory (When I actually get to drive it) always impresses with the little things like phone recognition and control. No fines in one of these

Even the reverse camera I always thought of as a gimmick until backing into a tight spot at the shopping centre or backing up to a trailer and watching the towball slide right under the hitch!. How many utes do you see around with trailer hitch dings in the tail gate?
I still see some things as gimmicks but others obviously do not. I say lets enjoy having so much on offer.

Anyway I have to run. I just heard my Galaxy S4 is obsolete as the S5 has a better camera and can survive a drop in the toilet. Upgrade time! :P

Reversing camera's are definitely one of those things that seem gimmicky but there so useful, as you pointed out so many utes get around with dings in the tailgate after backing into a trailer or a pole or anything else. The you have the all too common stories of kids getting run over by a reversing car, its a huge blindspot for anything immediately behind you.

[dirtyclevo]

there is a difference between technology that is beneficial and technologies that are just made for stupid people.

technology is great, i'm not denying that.

but everyday someone is making something that makes us do less. and in turn creates a generation of people that will be around in 10 yrs time that do no know how to play, do not know how to kick a ball, they are zombies. they wont have to ever do anything.

this is quite evident, as you saw on the news tonight about the overwelming increase in car crashes and fatalities directly linked to people surfing the net on there bloody phones while driving. come on. and this is all happened in the last 5 yrs. since 2009 when the population started buying smart phones.

I've even seen people driving around with headphones on? like beats by dr.dre. wtf is with that.


a good movie to make you understand where i am coming from is

Surrogates , made in 2009 with bruce willis.

[Falcon Coupe]

I prefer Wall-E. The use of tech making us fat and lazy shouldn't stop us being sociable after all.

[1TUFFUTE]

Every female I can think of has no idea what or how to use the gizmos in their cars unless it's something needed.(not all women of course)
All the performance guys I know agree that gizmos in 'performance' cars are simply more WIEGHT!!!!!

Gizmos just sell cars...that's allll they do.....unless they're busy annoying you or distracting you off into a ditch

[csv8]

APPLE CarPlay : First in our pockets, then our living rooms – now Apple has extended its long technological reach into car multimedia systems.

Having revolutionised personal communication, the tech giant has unveiled details of its burgeoning car technology, dubbed CarPlay, at the Geneva motor show this week.
Apple's CarPlay technology is its first foray into in-car multimedia systems.

The new system is the latest offering in a fierce battle between tech firms to create vehicles which change the way we drive.


Cars connected to the internet and integrated with personal communication devices are seen as a key platform for future vehicles being able to drive themselves, as well as serving as mobile offices.

“CarPlay has been designed from the ground up to provide drivers with an incredible experience using their iPhone in the car,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of iPhone and iOS Product Marketing.

“iPhone users always want their content at their fingertips and CarPlay lets drivers use their iPhone in the car with minimised distraction.”

CarPlay enables drivers to make calls and listen to or dictate messages using Siri, as well as listening to music and watching movies. It is also integrated with the Maps app and third-party services like Spotify.

Similar services are already on the market, such as Holden's MyLink and Ford's Sync systems that tap into Apple's handsfree features.

Apple has already reached formal agreements with Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo, meaning the technology will filter into new car models from later this year.

Mercedes-Benz marketing and sales boss Ola Kallenius said the technology promised to change motoring as we know it.

“Younger customers organise their lives in different ways – they’re always on,” he said. “Our goal is to offer a seamless and convenient experience when it comes to using smart phones and tablets or online services in our cars ... which CarPlay provides.”

Mercedes showcased the technology in a new C-Class model at the Geneva show. Kallenius said a similar service would soon be offered for Android devices.

In addition to the trio of car makers that will be showing off the technology at Geneva, Apple is working with BMW, Ford, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Land Rover, Kia, Mitsubishi, Nissan, PSA Peugeot Citroen, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota.

The breakthrough comes amid persistent speculation that Apple is eyeing a bid for electric car maker Tesla Motors.

Tech giant Google and other firms are also working on plans to develop vehicles alongside established auto manufacturers.

An Apple-powered car has been on the cards since the launch of the company’s iOS 7 software.

CarPlay is available as an update to iOS7 and works with iPhone5, 5S and 5C.
http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor...304-34119.html

[DJM83]

So having Apple products in your car. You will only be able to go where it wants to go, not where you want to go. Will also play music you dont like.

[BHDOGS]

Will also track everything about u and constantly play ads in ur car

[DanielXR8]

The gap between mainstream brands and luxury is narrowing. The tech is seen as a way to differentiate. Particuarly as the majority of car drivers have no idea about what wheels drive the car or care. Efforts in engineering is often wasted on them.

[2011G6E]

Originally Posted by DanielXR8

The gap between mainstream brands and luxury is narrowing. The tech is seen as a way to differentiate. Particuarly as the majority of car drivers have no idea about what wheels drive the car or care. Efforts in engineering is often wasted on them.

Precisely...too many people honestly believe the majority of buyers somehow care or even know which end is driving, and even consider 0-100 and quarter mile times. They don't care, and in todays increasingly-regulated roads, it honestly probably doesn't matter anymore.

When we bought the G6E, I asked to see the engine, and the salesman said he could only remember one or two people over the previous six months who even asked anything mechanical beyond "How many cylinders?" (important in Queensland with rego), and "auto or manual?", much less actually wanted to see under the bonnet.

That's life. Better for the makers to spend the money making the interior a pleasant place to be than to worry about stiffening the suspension slightly or spending up big to ensure crisp turn in and high speed twisty performance...

[1TUFFUTE]

In 20 years time I will not be a car guy anymore.....actually it could be a few years away at this pace.

[b0son]

Originally Posted by Rodp

I fail to see the correlation.

I can use my smartphone to accomplish meaningful tasks that actually help me do my job (among other things..) a lot more efficiently.

What we've come to accept as standard (air-con, power windows, power steering, bluetooth) help achieve higher levels of comfort and safety while driving - that I'm fine with. A doodad that shows me how many G's my car is currently pulling is, IMO, a gimmick.

Wait, so you and you alone get to decide on the utility of a gadget?

I find reversing cameras useful. Blind spot sensors useful. Collision alert useful. Lane departure warning useful. I don't have to need or rely on something in order for it to be useful. It simply has to make a task easier.

If you can dismiss what I find useful, I too have the right to call your smartphone a piece of ****ery.

At the end of the day, I'm just going to call this as sour grapes. Sour grapes because Ford are as per usual the last to the party with what consumers want, and those having to do without so they can continue to 'bleed blue' can do so without acknowledging that what they're supporting is behind the times.

[Whitey-AMG]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

How long until we can get in the car after a long day at work, blacken the windows, tilt the seat back and tell it to drive you home while you sleep?

Its here now mate.
its called tinted windows with your wife at the wheel....

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by Rodge

Interesting debate. The most advanced vehicle I've driven is the latest facelifted BMW 750i Motorsport.
I thought many of the new technology features were very useful and many added a lot to the drive experience.
5 way adaptive suspension, (rear is air suspension) and active electronic antiroll bars were extremly impressive in that you can completly change the nature of the vehicle from relaxed limo to go hard sports saloon depending on suspension selections. Adaptive cruise with stop and go function was extremly useful in traffic jams and on congested motorways, adative LED lighting which changes direction with the steering wheel is cool as is the way it puts some sort of block on a section of the high beam output when a car is coming the other way to optimise your lighting without affecting the opposing vehicle.
Harmon Kardon sound was very cool, 8 speed ZF exceptionally responsive and off the charts better than our aging 6 speed system.

Then there's the less tantilising stuff that's still useful to some extent as a background safety aid, stuff like blind spot alert, lane deviation alert, forward collision alert and so on.

OTOH there's also the luxury kit that's also nice, heated and vetilated seats and a seat base that extends to suit your leg length being noteable examples.

Argumments that technology doesn't add to the drive experience don't hold much water for people who've been fortunate enough to have experienced some of the best there is. That said, none of this stuff comes for free and I think for the money high performance Ford's / FPV's have at times offerred very good bang for buck, (less and less so as they've gradually got further and further behind). Its such a shame Ford America didn't see fit to equip the Falcon with the very best global technology available. Just have a look at all the tech that's been available in a Mondeo Titanium for many years for examples of what at least in theory, should already be in our Falcons. What technology Holden have achieved with the VF shows what can be done when the parent company is working in full cooperation with the Australian subsidiary. Questions remain as to why Ford America couldn't have taken a more cooperative approach to sharing latest technology with Ford Australia too. Maybe i'll be wrong and the forthcoming FH will be chock-a-block with all the leatest and best technology Ford global has to offer, for some strange reason I'm not holding my breath.

Cant wait to see one of these things in 20 years time and see how all this technology is coping with change and lack of maintenance. The biggest problem I see is the lack of software support in the future and how detrimental it will be when your 7 series airbags no longer pump up because on of the computer boards has shat itself. How will anyone diagnose any of this **** is beyond me, unless ofcourse you take it to your authorised BMW service centre.

As for the rest of your post, beating on the same tangent I see. Poor Ford. You cant just fit new technology to a car without testing it and adapting the car to suit it, and or the rest of the technology in that car, unless of course your running it in a car from the same platform with similar engineering.

[johnydep]

Originally Posted by f6_benito

Thread is about technology packs offered in many of the new cars for sale today.. are they a new standard in luxury or just gimmicks?

tech packs?? New standard in luxury or gimmicks that noone needs?

My father would ask the same questions when cars started to come with 4 speed autos, then 5!

Who would want a car without an overdrive these days? A auto car with less than 6 gears is getting hard to sell these days.

New technology today becomes old hat tomorrow. The million dollar question is - which new gimmick will last the test of time.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by DASH GT

How will anyone diagnose any of this **** is beyond me, unless ofcourse you take it to your authorised BMW service centre.

The only difference between Ford dealership and the BMW one is that the coffee is different.

Everyone inside still has NFI on how cars work regardless of if they're wearing a Ford uniform or a BMW one.

[MAGPIE]

Originally Posted by DASH GT

Cant wait to see one of these things in 20 years time and see how all this technology is coping with change and lack of maintenance.

Who keeps their car for 20 years (excluding classics/special interest stuff) not many.

So I would suggest that not many people who buy brand new BMW's would really give a rats **** how the electronics will fare in 20 years time.

And if you buy a 20 year old BMW then you get what you deserve frankly.

[Franco Cozzo]

If you buy any 20 year old car you're in for a fun ride, hell any 10 year old car has enough problems.

[Davehoos]

people that buy new look at 5 years. If the word goes around that a 5 year trade worth nothing then nobody going to buy these new. discussion I hear at work most days. switched on customers buying products to get best changover. I had the use of a forrester this week because it in storage waiting for the best month for resale.

look at fleet averages--they are dropping.
once it was 25 years recently Ive seen 12.5 years stats.
12.5 years average means there are large numbers of 20-25 year old cars in circulation.

I service heavy vehicles that are over 25 years old. I drive an AU that's 12years and will have at least 5 years without issues.

[Rodp]

Originally Posted by b0son

Wait, so you and you alone get to decide on the utility of a gadget?

For me? Absolutely. Are you suggesting that I should consult you on what should meet my needs?

I find reversing cameras useful. Blind spot sensors useful. Collision alert useful. Lane departure warning useful. I don't have to need or rely on something in order for it to be useful. It simply has to make a task easier.

If you can dismiss what I find useful, I too have the right to call your smartphone a piece of ****ery.

Fine by me. Won't change my opinion of what I find useful neither do I expect to change yours. I'm simply offering my opinion. My new car has a reversing camera, during the day I've found that it's usually impossible to see due to glare on the screen. At night time, the reverse lights don't light up the area enough to be able to see anything clearly.

I'm concerned that most of what you listed make drivers complacent. They're also not guaranteed to work when you may need them the most. I do see merit in them, they're just not going to factor into the equation come my next new car purchase.

At the end of the day, I'm just going to call this as sour grapes. Sour grapes because Ford are as per usual the last to the party with what consumers want, and those having to do without so they can continue to 'bleed blue' can do so without acknowledging that what they're supporting is behind the times.

I don't currently own a Ford. Could have easily purchased a car cram packed full of gadgets for much cheaper than the car I purchased. I don't choose cars based on gadgets.

[pottery beige]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

If you buy any 20 year old car you're in for a fun ride, hell any 10 year old car has enough problems.

i'm racking up around 800km a week in a 31yo Falcon, mostly sitting on 120kmh

started getting a bit fluffy on start up

hit rotor button with the sandpaper trick

brand new car

[NX74205]

Originally Posted by DASH GT

Cant wait to see one of these things in 20 years time and see how all this technology is coping with change and lack of maintenance. The biggest problem I see is the lack of software support in the future and how detrimental it will be when your 7 series airbags no longer pump up because on of the computer boards has shat itself. How will anyone diagnose any of this **** is beyond me, unless ofcourse you take it to your authorised BMW service centre.

Wouldn't be a problem for some. Anyone that buys an older car knows what they're getting themselves in for.

Originally Posted by Rodp

I'm concerned that most of what you listed make drivers complacent. They're also not guaranteed to work when you may need them the most. I do see merit in them, they're just not going to factor into the equation come my next new car purchase.

Any driver worth their salt would never place full reliance on technology. If drivers become complacent, it's not because of technology, it's because they weren't paying enough attention.

But let's face it: no one's perfect. I know I've nearly changed lanes into a Pajero beside me once, because I "forgot" to check my blind spot - Blind Spot Monitoring would've been handy. There's been once or twice when driving in traffic that Active City Stop (or similar) would've been beneficial (no, I didn't hit, bit it was close). Adaptive Cruise Control is another useful tech in stop/start traffic. These sort of things can prevent or reduce the severity of a collision in the event that the driver for some reason wasn't paying enough attention. If anyone says that they haven't, even for a moment, diverted their attention elsewhere when they're supposed to be driving, I wouldn't believe them.

But if the technology does fail, and an accident does occur, the driver only needs to look in the mirror for someone to blame. They are in control, they cannot rely on the car to do everything. The buck stops with them. Technology does not make the driver complacent - that's the driver's fault if they allow themselves to become complacent.

[Ben73]

I used to think Bluetooth connectivity was a gimmick, but now I have it, it's great. Answering my phone and changing songs with the steering wheel is great.
Also no annoying cords to plug in for the music. Just start the engine and it automatically picks up my phone.

Voice control is till a gimmick. Too much stuffing around. Used it the other day to make a test phone call. Afterwards my brother said it would of been quicker And easier to pull over and make the call normally. he is right.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by Nikked

Indicators
Wipers
Electric Windows
Heater/demister
Seatbelts
Foot rest
Power Mirrors
Power Steer
Electric Sunroof
Radio
Cup holders


Wow, gimmicks and technology are sooo useless...

You forgot a couple.............

Heated steering wheel.
Electrically adjustable steering wheel.
Garage door opener on Rear view mirror.
Electric opening AND closing boot.
Dashboard adjustable headlights.
Remote key that unlocks doors, then opens all windows and sunroof on a hot day.
Interior motion sensor.
Tyre pressure loss warning.

[Auslandau]

It is always going to be personal on what people want in a car.

There are just some things which were progressive improvements in cars ...... as stated above: Indicators, Wipers, Electric Windows, Heater/demister, Seatbelts etc NOT necessarily gadgets?

..... and then there are stuff just for the hell of it. Some of it is only, because they can. Some does help with the enjoyment of commuting. But there is difference between better safety and just more buttons just because they can.

I to prefer development in the refinement of the drive rather than more buttons to play with when you pick the car up for the first time and then forget about it.

FG is very close to what I like, keyless is something that is missing. The rear camera these days is a must for safety but things like rain sensor wipers I am not a fan. Electric seats are OK but are not, to me, a necessity. So are other things that I (as in me) consider silly.

There is still more progress to be made on the drive of all cars...... that will continue. Whether the parking assist and stuff is available I do not care if it puts the price up or starts to compensate for the actual drive, which I believe is actually happening now. Boring down the fun of the drive concentrating on bits and bobs seems to be the way to go. Overpricing cars because they have some once only play things?


AND before anyone else says I only have this view because I love my Fords ....... here is something I haven't mentioned before? Also have a BMW and some of the bits in that is absolutely pointless. Way way prefer the FG.