Genuine game changers
Author
Discussion

Robster

Original Poster:

1,457 posts

204 months

For example when Audi/VW suddenly announced the dual clutch gearbox , if I remember it was a bit of a well kept secret ?

Anymore ?

Yahonza

3,889 posts

57 months

DCT wasn't an Audi / VW invention. They maybe popularised the technology in mass production though.

robemcdonald

9,860 posts

223 months

Automotive- there are loads, but the original Ford focus stands out for me. I was genuinely surprised how good it was compared to the car it replaced. Forced the rest of the industry to up its game.

Electronic stuff-
Sony Walkman music on the go..,
Sony PlayStation, obviously not the first but fundamental in making gaming mainstream and creating the behemoth that is the current video game industry.,
Apple IPhone - probably not the first smartphone, but the one that introduced the tech to the world.

blank

3,739 posts

215 months

Tesla has to be up there.

Foss62

1,868 posts

92 months

Honda CB750

MikeM6

5,934 posts

129 months

Yahonza said:
DCT wasn't an Audi / VW invention. They maybe popularised the technology in mass production though.
Were they the first production vehicle to have them though? I know they were used by Porsche in race applications before VW launched their DSG.

As for other game changers in cars, the obvious one is Android Auto / Apple Car Play, which suddenly made all infotainment consistent and usable in one go. Maybe the real game changer there was Bluetooth audio streaming. I still remember having to mess around with MP3 CDs and before that with swapping the physical disc. It seems such a long time ago now!

MC Bodge

28,651 posts

202 months

Radial tyres
Hydraulic brakes
Disc brakes

Quattr04.

1,160 posts

18 months

I hate the term game changer, what does it mean? Everything isn t a game, same as market disrupter

But for purposes of this thread

Tesla, all the established markers could have moved on technology and made electric cars but they just didn t want too, and now they re on the back foot, spending billions on mediocre first gen cars and losing massive market share to Tesla, we are 10 years into the model 3 and only now are BMW and Mercedes releasing genuine rivals, Audi is dead in the water with no electric A5 in sight.

Mercedes and Volvo - inventing the seatbelt, radar cruise, ABS, severo brakes etc, massive investment in safety which we take for granted. I think it’s still true that there has never been a death in a xc90 which is a great feat.

IPhone - changed the way technology is forever by combining several different things into one slick package


LordHaveMurci

12,334 posts

196 months

The original Mini.

Golf GTi Mk1

Audi Quattro

LED lighting

Edited by LordHaveMurci on Monday 13th July 19:57

MC Bodge

28,651 posts

202 months

Front wheel drive (and packaging)
Four wheel drive
GPS
PSA Turbocharged diesel cars

normalbloke

8,709 posts

246 months

ANPR.

MC Bodge

28,651 posts

202 months

Gatso
SPECS

LunarOne

7,221 posts

164 months

Lithium Ion/Polymer batteries. Can you remember how rubbish NiCads were?
CDs
DVDs
CCDs
Broadband Internet

MC Bodge

28,651 posts

202 months

The microwave oven

Puddenchucker

5,647 posts

245 months

Automatic gearbox (torque converter)

Synchromesh gears

ABS

Super Sonic

13,660 posts

81 months

Austin Seven. Not the first car to have what became the standard three pedals and a stick, but popularised it worldwide.

Yahonza

3,889 posts

57 months

Fuel injection and the loss of the manual choke, which I quite liked at the time.

Other than that, being able to control the car via a mobile phone is quite something, e.g starting it up, so that it is cool/warm inside once you get in.

Super Sonic

13,660 posts

81 months

Front loading automatic washing machine. Saved all their taking it out the washer and putting it in the spinner in a twin tub.

Resolutionary

1,511 posts

198 months

Flame suit donned, I'm going to suggest.. eek..

The humble 1.8T

Such a ubiquitous lump, available in many states of tune and formats / models across VAG and even outside of staple German marques. Introduced swathes of yoofs to affordable, desirable forced induction and related tuning.

In my lifetime, I can't think of a more 'game changing' automotive stalwart.
Sorry in advance.

Feirny

2,911 posts

174 months

Heated windscreens.