1999 Party like it’s 69mph

In ’99, Mercedes introduces radar-assisted adaptive cruise on the Mercedes W220 S-Class. It automatically adjusts the vehicle’s speed to maintain a safe distance, whereas non-adaptive systems are happy just to keep to a set speed – and plough into the back of slower cars. In 2005 the W221 S-Class gets Distronic Plus, which can deal with stop-start tra c. And 2013’s W222 pairs (radar-based) Distronic Plus with (stereo camera-based) Steering Assist, helping the car stay in its lane – hello Level 2 autonomy.