Best modern motoring invention?

[Garlick]

By modern, let's say within the past 25 years or so.

The reason I ask is because I had to cross London tonight, and whereas I usually follow my nose to find my way I needed some help tonight. The satnav got me through, and I was thankful for it's quick thinking after I took a few wrong turns. Not so many years ago that level of tech would have been unthinkable.

Anyway, an odd question to come from an older car fan like me, but what is the best car invention of recent times? ABS? Run-flats? Airbags?

[LHD]

Since ABS and Airbags are now more than 25 years old i would concur Sat-Nav is the best motoring invention.

Next time you're on the motorway count how many cars have a TomTom* suckered on the windscreen.

90% i'll guess.

*Other Sat-Nav's are available

[roscozs]

ABS for me has to be the best modern motoring invention of recent times. The amount of lives the system has saved over the years must be huge. I recently had to lock the Mini up when avoiding a car that swerved infont of me at around 60mph. It wasnt a pleasant experiance when used to modern cars equiped with ABS. Its only when you dont have it that you take it for granted.

[rottie102]

Definitely sat-navs!!! Nothing changed the way we get from place to place more...

[Poledriver]

TVR Cerbera!

[jayfish]

Controversial choice here but my vote is for ANPR and it's ability to spot uninsured drivers and stolen cars.

[Garlick]

We have things like xenon lights, adaptive cruise, parking sensors, reverse cameras etc but the navi is probably the most useful....

What about twin-charging for the masses?

[LHD]

Garlick said:

We have things like xenon lights, adaptive cruise, parking sensors, reverse cameras etc but the navi is probably the most useful....

What about twin-charging for the masses?

I'd stick my hand up and say DSG/Double clutch gearboxes being the biggest technical advance of the last 25 years.

I've yet to drive a car with one and not be impressed.

[Caruso]

Cup holders.

[Homer Jay]

The ESP.

PS: The GPS? Never, because Google Maps exists anyway.

[Waugh-terfall]

Another vote for Sat Nav too, though I tend to look where I'm going first and follow signs/nose and not use it. Tends to just be used for going somewhere the first time.

Built in Bluetooth for phones is another possibility.

[DjSki]

If you'd had a crash and been saved by one, we'd all say airbags......

[eldar]

Cheap, rugged microprocessors. Eliminated carburettors, distributors and the need to adjust them every 3,000 miles. Then ABS, Satnav and the rest followed.

[DangerousMike]

definitely tyres.

[mollytherocker]

How about Pistonheads? I spend more time on here than in my damn car!

MTR

[Doniger]

25 years ago...that's 1985...I was only a wee thing but am pretty sure a touchscreen operated talking map that could connect wirelessly to your mobile telephone to facilitate hands free calls and even read your text messages out loud to you while you drive along was pretty much inconceivable back then.

Satnav gets my vote too then...

[V Powered]

Paddle-shift gearbox and nav.

[Mark-C]

Telescopic dog ramp --> http://www.kingstown.net/ramp/index.htm#tele

Max won't get in the Landie without it ....

[DennisTheMenace]

Coool ! i will need one of those for my Basset Hound !

[Egg Chaser]

Fuel injection. I prefer carburetors, but you can't deny how much better EFI is for fuel economy.

Also eleminates the need for a choke.