Tesla Model X
only beneficial to humans if they are simple and user-friendly. Technologies must be able to learn from and adapt to people, so that it seems less technical and more human and familiar,’ he reassures. All right then, but let’s go back to the question of driverless cars being boring. One car that will help you forgive the future for consistently pissing you off, is the BMW Vision Next 100. A copper-coloured car of tomorrow – a sealed-wheel concept that’s as much DC Comics as it is a real car. It has theoretical options like Ease Mode, for comfort over intensity, and the Companion, a glowing ball of light that gives information to pedestrians when the car is in self-driving mode, telling them what the car is about to do before it does it. Or, slap the Boost Mode button to become at one with the car so as to increase driving pleasure. It’s built around a core artificial intelligence system that can give you as much control as you want, at any given moment. Imagine being entirely in control when you want to hoon about, and then switching over for the Companion to take over when you run out of talent? Okay, so it won’t quite work like that, but you will be able to switch in and out of the levels of autonomy to suit your mood. Neat.
Ten years ago people thought that electric cars would never make it, let alone autonomous cars. Having spent time in the BMW i3 and i8 recently, I can tell you that emission-free motoring (from renewable sources, in particular) will keep that smile firmly on your face. As a committed petrolhead, my ‘entirely rational’ fear of electric driverless cars ripping the joy out of high-octane frolics is taking a bit of a beating. Or perhaps it’s the Pommery whispering sweet bubbles to me.
Rinspeed Etos
THREE MORE AUTONOMOUS CARS The Renault Trezor’s steering wheel extends in width to allow the driver a panoramic view of the dashboard, and exterior lights indicate that the car is driving itself. Tesla’s Model X SUV has 465km of range and is ludicrously fast, accelerating from 0-100km/h in 2.9 seconds. The Rinspeed Etos concept comes with its own drone. In auto-mode the steering wheel retracts into the dashboard while two curved widescreens inch closer to the passengers.
Renault Trezor
We’ve driven even more cars. See our reviews at GQ.co.za
54 GQ.CO.ZA FEBRUARY 2017
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2016/12/21 10:57 AM