• On TechRepublic: Five super-secret features in Windows 7
June 16, 2009 4:57 PM PDT

Mercedes-Benz does the driving for you, almost

by Wayne Cunningham
  • Font size
  • Print
  • 3 comments


Ah, the good life, where your car negotiates traffic speeds for you and gives you a massage. The Mercedes-Benz S550 actually does all of the above, using its adaptive cruise control to not hit the car ahead and letting you choose from four settings on its massage seats. This car also gives you an enhanced view out the front for those pitch dark nights driving through the mountains, and a blind spot-warning system, alerting you to cars in the lanes to either side.

There is quite a bit to like about this car, but in our hypercritical way, we found a few features that didn't meet our ideal. For one, the car's iPod integration doesn't actually let you select the music you want to hear. And although it receives traffic information, displaying it on the navigation system's maps, it will blithely let you drive right into bad traffic jams.

Read our review of the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S550.

Recent posts from The Car Tech blog
To thwart speculators, Lexus to lease, not sell, 500 LFAs
Car Tech Live Podcast 146: The deal unravels - Is Saab dead?
BMW debuts the new 5-series online
GoPro HD Hero Motorsports sacrifices simplicity for flexibility
On the production line with the 2010 Porsche Panamera
Infiniti quality effort features a woman's touch
Xtreme Mustang: Verts in a concrete jungle
Google Maps Navigation arrives for Android 1.6
Add a Comment (Log in or register) (3 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next
by Eludium-Q36 June 17, 2009 9:11 AM PDT
Yeh, this is what happens when cars become subject to (or vulnerable to) the tech-insertion cycle. Seriously, I really fear this. Because - and I really hate to use this as an example - remember the mania over iPhone v1 ? And then came the realization that it didn't include ALOT of desired features and a YEAR LATER the 3G came out. And then came the realization that it also didn't include ALOT of desired features, etc. Now, project that cycle onto vehicles. Now, will you have people shunning v1.0 of a vehicle's new tech because they KNOW it's missing things they'll want and will show up in successive versions ? Ugh.
Reply to this comment
by epsilonparadox June 17, 2009 11:45 AM PDT
Really? You looked at a $100k car and you ding it because you want better iPod integration?? Ridiculously small minded!
Reply to this comment
by streamline35 June 17, 2009 11:19 PM PDT
I think the point is that with a $100k luxury car, ipod integration shouldn't even be an issue (considering it comes on most cars 1/4 of the price). So of course it's going to get knocked for excluding something so basic (in a tech review like this one)
(3 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next

Search Car Tech

advertisement

About The Car Tech blog

CNET's Car Tech blog covers the latest developments in the automotive industry, with commentary on car stereos, hybrid and concept cars, GPS, and much more. The Car Tech blog offers the latest news and reviews from CNET's Car Tech reviews channel.

Add this feed to your online news reader

The Car Tech blog topics