Newswise — For the third year, IEEE Spectrum has issued its annual list of the top ten tech cars. The article focuses on production cars now in showrooms or soon to be available, but this year also singles out three concept cars for special mention. The cars on this year's list are the 2006 Chrysler Heritage Edition, whose headlights automatically switch to low beams when the car detects approaching vehicles. 2006 Volkswagen Passat, whose European version can be equipped with radar-based active cruise control. 2006 Volvo S-60, available in Europe with a camera-based blindspot eliminator. 2006 Subaru R2 Type S, for its tiny but mighty, supercharged, intercooled, 660-cc engine. 2007 General Motors Yukon, an example of GM's increasingly sophisticated OnStar radio-based alert system. 2007 Mercedes-Benz E 320 Bluetec, which will have the cleanest diesel engine on the planet. 2007 Lexus LS460, for its breathtaking assortment of technologies and creature comforts, including advanced stability control, three DVD players, and a 19-speaker sound system. Ford Reflex Concept Car, a turbo-diesel hybrid. Subaru B5-TPH Concept Car, for its turbocharged gasoline-hybrid power plant and advanced manganese lithium-ion batteries. Mitsubishi Concept CT-MIEV, a four-door hatchback with four electric motors, one in each wheel.
In addition to those, there's special mention of the new Bugatti Veyron, an astounding piece of engineering with a 1000-horsepower engine and a top speed of 408 km/hr (253 mph). Author John Voelcker, a connoisseur of vintage British automobiles, drove from New York to the North American International Auto Show in Detroit as part of his coverage for the article.
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