With all of the ways technology is changing our world, it shouldn’t be surprising that we’re going to see some new advances in the cars of 2017. There will be a host of new features that will change the way we operate cars, increasing the level of safety, affordability and more. Here are a few upcoming car technology trends that will come up in 2017:
1) Competition for Tesla’s electric cars
The Chevrolet Bolt is one of the top electric cars of our era, bringing a new level of practicality and affordability to the world of electric cars. The Bolt’s base price just under $30,000 and its EPA-rated range of 238 miles on a single charge put it in competition with other electric cars, as well as with the family vehicles like the Hyundai Sonata, Ford Escape and Honda Accord. As a result, the demand for electric cars is going to face a crucial test. Other electric cars are increasing their ranges, but are still not reaching the Bolt’s level. Tesla’s eagerly awaited Model 3 hopes to challenge the Bolt for the longest range at the best price.
2) New life for Diesel cars
In 2017, Chevrolet and Mazda hope to put diesel cars on the market. After Volkswagen got caught up in an emissions-cheating scandal, diesel sales plummeted. Now, Chevrolet and Mazda are going to try their hand at the technology. We will have to see whether the technology has a future in the U.S. by looking at the sales of the diesel-powered versions of the Chevrolet Cruze and the Mazda CX-5.
3) Cars that talk to each other
Internet of Things technology has made a big impact on the world, so why wouldn’t cars become more connected as well? In 2017, Cadillac CTS sport sedans will offer a new system that allows them to share information about driving conditions such as speed, weather, accidents, sudden braking and more. This is the start of vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, a wi-fi-like technology that will one day be on every new car. This will help drivers to be more aware of what is beyond their line of sight.
4) Autonomous cars in the real world
Fiat Chrysler is working on producing about 100 autonomous Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid minivans. This is a part of Google’s vehicle development project. The self-driving minivans will not be sold to the public, but Google will test the technology’s readiness and safety. The Pacifica was chosen to be Google’s production-vehicle test bed because it is a family vehicle, and also because the size of the minivan makes it perfect for carrying the myriad sensors necessary for autonomous driving. The Pacifica’s tall height also gives sensors the best possible view of the van’s surroundings.
We’ll have to see how many of these trends catch on and how many don’t appeal to the market as much as they’re hoping. One thing is for sure: driving is going to drastically different in 2017 and in the years to come. These technological advances are exciting because they have to potential make driving a safer, more convenient and more affordable experience.
