MADE IN GERMANY
Innovations by German auto manufacturers
It is no doubt that German-built cars stand as the epitome of safety, reliability and sturdiness. Across the world, Germany is known for its excellence in innovation and technology in the automotive industry. The country boasts of top-class infrastructure, skilled resources and efficient R&D that steer its highly competitive automobile businesses.
A report by Germany Trade and Invest (GTAI), an economic development agency of the Federal Republic of Germany offers, substantiating facts that reflect the strength of this industry. It states —“Germany is Europe’s number one automotive market in production and sales terms; accounting for around 30 per cent of all passenger cars manufactured and almost 20 per cent of all new registrations.”
The report further stresses on Germany’s auto manufacturing prowess that contributes to making it a global hub for this sector; more than 15 million vehicles in 2015 have been produced by German automobile manufacturers, equivalent to more than 19 per cent of total global production. The auto sector is also the largest in this European country, reporting a turnover of `404 billion in 2015, accounting for 20 per cent of Germany’s total industry revenue. Apart from catalysing the country’s economy, it also provides employment across the country in great numbers. In 2015, the automobile industry in Germany emerged as one of the largest employers, with a workforce of around 7,92,500 professionals.
Global demand for German-made vehicles remains strong. The “Made in Germany” label has always given customers the promise of positive attributes mentioned earlier. German manufacturing companies have also developed technologies that are “industry firsts”. Ernst &Young conducted a study, where it surveyed 300 companies in Europe’s automotive sector. Amongst them, 81 per cent consider Germany to be the most innovative automotive hub in the world.
When it comes to German-made cars, there are definitely a handful of manufacturers that have largely contributed to the success of this business. The following is a select list of German players and their innovations and technology that exemplify the world’s love-affair with German cars.
AUDI
Audi is one of Volkswagen Group’s luxury carmakers that’s known for its sleek design and advanced technology. Its rich history dates back to 1885, when a brand called Wanderer laid the foundation of the German automaker. After a number of mergers and takeovers, the company’s official name was shortened to Audi AG in 1985. The automaker’s slogan —
Vorsprung durch Technik, meaning "Advancement through Technology”— is a value ingrained in all of its models launched over the years.
Like most car brands, Audi too has never overlooked the importance of safety in its vehicles. It has introduced a number of technologies that attempt to safeguard driving conditions. One such feature is Audi lane assist that helps the driver maintain his lane on the road. The clever system reads lane markings by means of a camera at the front of the car. If the car starts to drift towards the identified lane markings, Audi lane assist alerts the driver through vibrations in the steering wheel. No warning is sent in case the driver indicates a change in lane with the turn signal.
Another notable security feature is its side-guard head airbag that protects the heads of the front and rear passengers in case of a collision. This system is designed to complement the side airbags, in order to reduce the load of the accident on the passengers’ cervical vertebrae. With a correctly worn three-point seatbelt, the side-guard head airbag cushions the passengers against not just the interior of the car, but also objects outside of the vehicle.
With a number of intuitive technologies, Audi has endeavoured to simplify the drivability of its vehicles. One such functionality is its gearshift indicator that notifies the driver at the right time to change the gear. Switching gears at proper intervals has proven to save fuel and increase the efficiency of the vehicle. Additionally, this system ensures running of the engine at optimum revs (revolutions of the engine per minute).
Integration of devices to ensure convenience while driving is significant to the German car brand. The Audi phone-box allows drivers to use their mobile phone in the car by placing it in the storage compartment in the centre console of the car. This not only charges the phone via USB, but also allows it to be operated via the multi-media control panel, multi-function steering wheel or voice control. Most of Audi’s cars are also equipped with speech dialogue system that allows you to control the functionality of your phone and navigation system through voice commands. The central operating element for this system is the push-to-talk button on the multifunction steering wheel. When this button is pressed, your first voice command selects the unit to be operated. audi.in
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke (German for Bavarian Motor Works) was formed in 1916 in Munich, to build aircraft engines for Germany. On witnessing the aftermath of World War I, BMW stopped making them. This pushed the company to diversify, and in 1926 it made its first ever motorcycle — the R32.
Ever since the company was founded, it has been a torchbearer of innovations that have shaped “auto-mobility” businesses worldwide, alongside its German equals. In 1999, BMW introduced Dual Stage Deployment for front airbags in the 5- and 7-Series. This safety system analyses the severity of the collision, and deploys the front airbags accordingly. From gentle to powerful, Dual Stage Deployment is an intuitive programme that looks out for the comfort of the passengers in case of an accident.
Advanced Safety Electronics (ASE) is another feature that customises security measures to be undertaken, as per the nature of the accident. The ingenious system tailor-makes the response by the vehicle, according to the situation. It recognises safety features to be activated within milliseconds of a collision — including airbags, seat belts and belt force limiters. The idea is to help keep maintenance cost to a minimum after minor accidents.
BMW released a Mayday System under its navigation features in 1998, becoming the first manufacturer ever to offer this security feature. With the touch of a button, an automated distress call can be made to a person at BMW’s Roadside Assistance Group for an emergency response. The programme also transmits the location of the vehicle, making communication easier.
The German automaker has also been on the forefront of interactive technology that significantly aims to improve the in-car experience. In its 7-Series, it has included a host of additions that enhance this top-end BMW product. The rear, also known as the Executive Lounge of the 7-Series, is equipped with BMW Touch Command, an Android-powered tablet. The device acts as a remote control for 24 different functions in the car that range from comfort to entertainment and navigation options. BMW 7-Series also comes with Ambient Air Package that offers eight different fragrances to pick from. Passengers can activate one of more scents of their choice, adding an edge to comfort inside the vehicle. bmw.com
MERCEDEZ-BENZ
In 1886, Carl Benz was awarded German patent number 37435 for building a three-wheeled, selfpropelled “Motorwagen” or motorcar. Officially the first automobile ever made, Benz is responsible for innovating the concept of auto-mobility back in the day. This invention laid the foundation for MercedesBenz that began its journey in 1920. It has since then developed and registered around 90,000 auto patents that range from engines to safety, design and comfort features. In 1958, the company conducted the first crash testing programme in the world that involved a rigorous regimen to ensure safety precautions before the release of every new Mercedes-Benz model.
Since the 1950s, various companies have developed the Antilock Braking System (ABS). It helps assist the driver to retain steering control under heavy braking, by preventing wheel lock-up. In 1978, Mercedes-Benz developed a second-generation Antilock Braking System in partnership with Bosch, a leading supplier of technology and services. The innovation was applied to Mercedes-Benz W116, which became the first ever vehicle to use this technology, marking a milestone in automobile safety. Today, ABS is a widely used safety enhancement technique, adopted by various car manufacturers around the world. It offers improved control and provides stability while braking on dry and slippery surfaces, in order to avoid uncontrolled skidding.
In 2002, another groundbreaking innovation called PRE-SAFE was engineered by the company. In an attempt to ensure complete safety to passengers, PRE-SAFE is an intelligent functionality that foresees an upcoming collision. When an accident is imminent, it prepares the cabin to ensure minimum damage. It does so by tightening the seat belts snug and adjusting the front head restraints to optimise the effect of restraint systems of the car (airbags and seat belts).
One of its recent innovations is Car-to-X Communication that has been included in the 2017 E-Class. This path-breaking system is way ahead of its time, as it shares critical information with other vehicles equipped with this technology on potential dangers like heavy rain, accidents, breakdowns and fog. By means of a cloud-based system, it allows communication between cars in order to carefully analyse upcoming driving conditions.
VOLKSWAGEN
The largest brand of the Volkswagen Group (also owns Bentley, Bugatti and Lamborghini), Volkswagen’s roots go back to 1937, when a need was felt for a “people’s car”. Launched in 1949, its Type 1 Beetle has been the symbol of the brand worldwide. The company has one of the most diverse-looking line-ups in the auto world. While its models have been more attuned to the mid-segment, it has time and again released vehicles that are technologically ahead of their time.
Volkswagen cars are equipped with a number of safety features that protect the vehicle and passengers against accidents. The addition of Xenon lights has provided significant improvements for secure night driving. The spectrum provided by this type of light is similar to daylight, thus aiding visibility in dark conditions. Xenon lights are notable for their long range and ideal lateral spread.
Apart from airbags, front and rear parking sensors, Volkswagen cars are also fitted with Antilock Braking System that prevents the wheels from locking up when in a collision. In case of an impending accident, the wheels tend to lock-up, taking away control from the driver.Volkswagen’s ABS control unit uses speed sensors to monitor the rotational speed of all of the wheels. If it foresees an impending wheels’ lock-up, ABS minimises the pressure on brakes, until the rotation of wheels resumes normalcy.
Volkswagen offers a host of driving modes across its models that allow you to fine-tune your drive. Apart from the usual Normal, Sport/Race and Comfort options, Volkswagen offers Tiptronic and Individual modes that can add an edge to your VW experience. Automatic transmission with Tiptronic is available in five or six speeds that allows drivers to override the automatic mode by moving the lever to the Tiptronic shift gate. In this mode, gears are arranged one after the other like in a race car’s gearbox. The idea of this mode is to provide the driver the convenience of an automatic gearbox, with the sportiness of a manual one. Individual mode lets you create a driving experience that is customised precisely to your needs. Functions such as steering and acceleration response can be adjusted with ease in this mode, and models with adaptive cruise control (a control system for road vehicles that automatically adjusts the vehicle speed to maintain a safe distance from vehicles ahead) can also be adjusted.