Drive: Making the road feel better

TORONTO STAR FILE PHOTO

Porsche's PDK transmission allows faster shifting than is manually possible.

John LeBlanc

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

It's hard to argue that modern electronic systems that react more quickly than humanly possible have made cars safer (if less challenging) to drive.

Here are three of the most significant driving aid technologies recently introduced:

Automatic-manual transmissions

What if you could combine the ability to shift gears on your own when you wanted to, and the convenience of not needing to use a clutch pedal between shifts?

That question was answered when Porsche introduced its Tiptronic automatic-manual transmission as an option in its 1989 911 Carrera.

But as big of an improvement Tiptronic and its many copycats from other automakers were, shifts were still sluggish compared to the direct gear engagement manual transmissions offered.

The solution was dual-clutch automated manual gearboxes: two gearboxes in one housing, each with its own clutch, working alternately and sequentially, with the next gear in sequence engaged when the first is selected.

Porsche introduced its Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (or PDK) in its 1983 956 endurance racer. In manual mode, PDK can shift faster than a manual gearbox. And missed gears – and the subsequent gearbox damages – were a thing of the past.

In the interim, though, other automakers like Ferrari, BMW, Volkswagen, Nissan and Mitsubishi beat Porsche in offering dual-clutch transmissions in production models, until finally Porsche offered its PDK last year.

Intelligent braking systems

Intelligent braking systems have evolved dramatically in the past decade.

Known as electronic brake force distribution (EBD), recent Anti-lock Braking System applications not only prevent wheel lock under braking, but also electronically control the front-to-rear brake bias to "balance" the car in emergency or performance driving situations.

Some automakers have recently taken ABS even further.

Introduced on the top-line CL coupe four years ago, Mercedes-Benz's Pre-Safe protection system uses radar to scan the road ahead and detect a potential accident.

As soon as Pre-Safe starts automatic partial braking, the supporting bolsters in the multi-contour seats are inflated and the front pasenger seat is moved to the safest position.

Electronic stability control

The advent of electronic stability control systems is probably the most important advance in auto safety since the seatbelt.

Using sensors to gauge the attitude of the car, and then applying the brakes to make adjustments, ESC is highly effective in helping a driver maintain control of the car.

In fact, it's estimated that up to 9,600 traffic fatalities in the U.S. could be avoided if all passenger vehicles were equipped with ESC.

Unlike ESC, traction control is not designed to aid in steering the car.

The preponderance of SUVS and their inherently high centres of gravity, spurred on Volvo to develop its Roll Stability Control (RSC) system, which senses a potential roll-over and cuts back on engine power or brakes one or more wheels to prevent it.

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