A Perfect 10: Automotive Wizardry Promises to Wow Consumers
New technological capabilities and a competitive landscape have combined to push automobile manufacturers to achieve new heights in vehicle enhancements that appeal to consumers.

Consumers are licking their chops in anticipation as automobile manufacturers install amazing new features in vehicles that are rolling off the line for the remainder of 2004 and beyond. In the competitive quest to build the perfect automobile, here are the top 10 vehicle enhancements that have a significant "wow" factor:

1. Space-age safety
Multi-technology safety systems combine lane-change alerts, speed and rollover warnings, adaptive cruise control, vehicle-to-vehicle communications, radar traffic sensing and a communication system that receives information on upcoming road conditions either by satellite or from radio signals relayed by transmitters along the road.

2. More miles to the gallon
Flexible power engines with cylinder deactivation cut fuel consumption by as much as 20 percent.

3. Peace and quiet
By layering instrument panel laminates, manufacturers have reduced cabin noise and vibration. New dissipative material installed in cabins will deaden sound much like in a recording studio.

4. A whole "sight" better
The integration of bumper-embedded minicams with on-board navigation screens expand the drivers ability to see where they are going and whats around their vehicle.

5. Thumbs up for diesel
Electronically injected common-rail diesel systems out of Europe are on the rise because they are quieter and more fuel-efficient.

6. Systems that integrate
Active control reactors are being built to "speak the same language" as other car parts, and in doing so, enhance safety. For example, information from vehicle brake and stability control monitors connects to the seat belt module. When braking rapidly, the data instructs the seat belt to tighten.

7. Information on a beam
Radio, traffic and weather coverage, in selected markets, can be beamed to a vehicle through pay-to-subscribe satellite service.

8. Smart cruise control
Adaptive cruise control uses radar technology in small transmitters mounted just above the vehicles front bumper. An onboard computer tracks the distance between the vehicle and the one in front of it, and then when needed, automatically reduces the engine throttle to maintain safe braking distances and speeds.

9. Cool cooling
New types of reflective coatings bounce the suns heat off vehicles, increasing the efficiency of air conditioning systems.

10. Stop on a dime
Advanced ceramic composite brakes replace traditional iron brakes and are designed with enlarged cooling ducts to hasten heat displacement. New generations of brake linings provide consistent abrasion for longer wear.