Anti-lock brakes
From luxury option to legal requirement.
1978
Mercedes-Benz S-Class W116
FIRST
2007
European Union Regulation 2007
PERFECTED
Turbocharging the masses
From exotic to default in 25 years.
1978
Saab 99 Turbo
FIRST
2003
Volkswagen Golf Mk5 GTI
PERFECTED
AWD goes fast
Four-wheel drive moves from utility to performance.
1980
Audi Quattro
FIRST
1992
Lancia Delta Integrale Evoluzione
PERFECTED
Traction control
Stopping wheelspin before you noticed it.
1987
BMW 7 Series E32 (ASC)
FIRST
1993
Mercedes-Benz S-Class W140 (ASR)
PERFECTED
Active aerodynamics
Bodywork that moves while you drive.
1988
Porsche 959
FIRST
2018
McLaren Senna
PERFECTED
Carbon fibre monocoques
F1 tech reaches the road.
1992
McLaren F1
FIRST
2013
BMW i3
PERFECTED
Electronic stability control
The reason cars stopped going off the road.
1995
Mercedes-Benz S-Class W140
FIRST
2014
European Union Regulation
PERFECTED
Petrol direct injection
How modern engines got 30% more efficient.
1996
Mitsubishi Galant GDI
FIRST
2005
Volkswagen Golf Mk5 1.4 TSI
PERFECTED
The viable production EV
The EV becomes a real car.
1996
GM EV1
FIRST
2012
Tesla Model S
PERFECTED
Hybrid powertrains
From novelty to non-negotiable.
1997
Toyota Prius (NHW10)
FIRST
2003
Toyota Prius Mk2 (NHW20)
PERFECTED
Adaptive cruise control
The car starts driving itself.
1998
Mercedes-Benz S-Class W220 (Distronic)
FIRST
2014
Tesla Model S (Autopilot)
PERFECTED
The touchscreen takes over
The dashboard becomes a phone.
2001
BMW 7 Series E65 (iDrive)
FIRST
2012
Tesla Model S
PERFECTED
Dual-clutch gearboxes
Faster than humans, smoother than autos.
2003
Volkswagen Golf Mk4 R32
FIRST
2008
Porsche 911 997 PDK
PERFECTED
LED then matrix LED
Halogens, then HIDs, then everyone gave up.
2008
Audi R8 V10
FIRST
2013
Audi A8 D4 (Matrix LED)
PERFECTED
TFT dashboards
When physical dials died.
2010
Land Rover Range Rover L322
FIRST
2014
Audi TT Mk3 (Virtual Cockpit)
PERFECTED