New innovations are coming on the automotive scene all the time. And now Audi (part of the Volkswagen Group) offers ‘pre sense plus’ as a driver aid on its 2012 A6 3.0T Premium Plus and Prestige.
In the automaker’s ad, it states that the yellow light was invented in 1920 and about 100 years later, 85 percent of drivers have no idea what to do when the yellow comes on in front of them.
I do not know about you, but I stop if I have enough room or move past the light if I am close to it when the yellow occurs! And so far, it has worked out quite well indeed, especially if I have been perceptive to a long green light.
The ad goes on to say that the ‘highly intelligent’ new Audi A6 is here and that it has been built to outsmart the road. If we really want to ‘outsmart the road’ why not get some exercise by walking or even just stay at home! I am just kidding, of course ‘we want to drive!’
Audi claims that the car makes 2,000 decisions and that such will help protect the driver. Do not get me wrong, safety innovations are a good thing. Cars have become safer over the years. However, what is the added cost of a car making 2,000 decisions and could some of them possibly go haywire? After all, people sometimes disagree on at least some decisions. The Audi might end up ‘thinking’ should I step on it, slam on the brakes or do nothing? How about the decision to let the driver do the driving!
Volvo had a system that alerted the driver if someone were hiding in the back seat (ready to possibly attack). The one thing the automaker did not seem to consider is that if the car were locked the chance of a person waiting down low in the back seat was quite remote! As the system flopped, Volvo quickly dropped it – A good decision indeed!
German cars, including Audis, have been known for providing ‘driving pleasure.’ Now all of a sudden there seems to by many aspects of driving that the driver needs help with. Maybe Audi could show a video of the A6 motoring along on our iPhone screens. All decisions solved and the ultimate in driving pleasure, right!
The MSRP of the 2012 Audi A6 3.0T Premium Plus and Prestige is $49,900. A premium plus price indeed!
If Audi wants to over engineer, why doesn’t the automaker bring us an all-electric vehicle at a reasonable price? Now, that would be a great decision!
Kyle Busch is the author of “Drive the Best for the Price: How to Buy a Used Automobile, Sport-Utility Vehicle, or Minivan and Save Money.” He welcomes your comments or car questions at his auto web site: www.cartown1.com. Follow Kyle on Facebook and Twitter.