There's a technology revolution in the auto business, and it involves more than streaming radio apps and voice-activated Facebook updates.
Consumers who haven't shopped for a new car for five or more years—and that's a lot of people, since the average U.S. vehicle has been on the road for just over a decade—may encounter some exotic new advances.
To attract safety-conscious drivers, some car makers are revisiting the question, "Is there anywhere else we can stash an air bag?" Night-vision systems not unlike what the military uses to spot enemies in the dark are appearing at the upper reaches of the luxury market. And to meet tougher fuel-economy standards, car makers are installing transmissions with up to nine speeds.
Source
The Wall Street Journal