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So often I’ve looked at the standard list of equipment fitted to cars and asked myself the question – why? Sometimes it just doesn’t make sense to me but of course to others it is an essential must have feature. Business Car has had a look at some technology and having surveyed a number of business drivers who clearly spend a lot of time behind the wheel they have come up with an essential list of equipment that drivers look for. Here you go:

DAB Radio:   This got off to a very shaky start and is still problematic in some cars and in some areas of the country but for those reliant on radio weather reports and like to listen to crystal clear music a DAB radio is essential. The changeover came and went and frankly I don’t actually know if all new cars have to be fitted with DAB but I’m pretty sure that all new cars are.

Parking Assist: Once only fitted to top end cars it is now percolating down to family cars and smaller cars. The car finds a suitable parking spot. You activate, change gear, accelerate and brake but take your hands off the steering wheel and the car steers itself perfectly into the parking space. I have it but very rarely use it. Others feel they can’t live without it.

Lane Departure Warning & Blindspot Detection: Pretty much self-explanatory, a warning buzzer and/or light illuminates to let you know that you’ve drifted out of your lane if you cross over the white lines, possibly because you are nodding at the wheel. Blindspot detection alerts you if there is another car in the blind spot that it senses you’ve missed – pretty straightforward but useful.

Adaptive Cruise Control: There are some good videos on YouTube showing this in action. Basically, let’s say you’re travelling along the motorway, cruising at 70 miles per hour with cruise control engaged. You’re not properly concentrating and you run up behind the car in front travelling at 50 mph. The system will slow you down to match their speed, then as you indicate and move out to overtake the system picks up your speed back to 70 mph.

Rear Parking Cameras & Parking Sensors:  This is the next step down from Park Assist whereby the parking sensors and rear camera can assist you in not denting the back of your car or a pedestrian. Parking sensors normally come with an audible as well as a visual warning with the sound getting louder and warning LED lights increasing in number and in some cases moving from orange to red as you get closer. Some cars also come with front sensors. Some cars come with a rear camera instead of sensors whilst others have them in addition to the sensors. Particularly if rear visibility is restricted. Some cars even have all-round cameras and sensors which can give you a view on your screen as though you were looking down from above the car. Looks great but not sure if essential.

Autonomous Emergency Braking: In simple terms this stops you from running into a car (or person) in front if you lose concentration. I should add that most of these systems are not meant to stop a high-speed crash, it only activates at low speed but statistics show that this is one of the most common accidents in built-up areas. If you move forward in a queue and the car in front stops quickly the system will activate and stop you from running into the back of the car. Many manufacturers have their own system with mixed reviews but I have to say it has stopped me from having a shunt on a roundabout.

Heated Windscreen: This is becoming more popular as the cost comes down. It consists of a very fine filament built into the windscreen that will superheat and not only clears the screen of frost or snow but also the dreaded interior fog or mist without the need to take a cloth to it leaving irritating smears. The heated screen can also release wiper blades stuck to the windscreen. I would certainly say a must have in the UK.

Satelite Navigation: I believe that BMW is the first car manufacturer to fit Sat Nav into all their new cars. They are so much more these days than just a route planner they will also divert you if there are road works and direct you to garages if you run low on fuel or restaurants if you need some food. They still aren’t standard on all cars but we are moving in that direction.

Apple Carplay and/or Android Auto Capability: Effectively these systems allow you to use all the apps you have on your phone on the screen in your dashboard. You can use a sat nav app and play your Spotify playlist through the car’s audio system.

Speed Limit Monitoring System: This system simply warns you if you drift over the speed limit. They work differently, some give off an audible sound whilst others either flash up the speed limit on your screen or a warning light illuminates. Either way the system could save you points or even your licence.

Wireless Charging: More important if you are driving a lot and making a lot of calls on your mobile. Having wires connecting between your phone and USB port can be untidy and distracting so a wireless charger could be very useful. May not be that essential but useful to have.

There you have it – a round up of techie equipment that business car drivers would like in their cars and worth considering when you change next. By Graham Hill