Who Do You Think Is The Most Innovative Automaker Today?

I personally like Mclaren's innovations the most :) turning a lightweight open differential into a torque vectoring differential by using the brakes is a great step forward. The only downside is that you won't be able to use 100% of the power in the corner since a brake is eating it up... which you never use anyway due to traction concerns. Or their Carbon fiber tub which takes less time to manufacture then some steel welded chassis. Or even their hydraulically actuated damping/sway bar system.

They may not have as many innovations as an engineering powerhouse like GM, VW or Toyota, but they sure do have the most interesting innovations.

I agree Joe, and the McLaren also rides very nice when not in sport or track mode, something the other supercar manufacturers can't claim. It is realy two cars in one.

Wow Joe, we got deboosted for liking the Mclaren and stating factual un-biased information. Someone here is either childish or has no clue about cars. They should watch the review of the car and then decide.

Lexus by far produces the most innovative products.

lol x 100

more like the most bland

LexSucks- "Lexus by far produces the most innovative products". Um, "Lexus" dosen't make anything and never has. McLaren is a great idea, I would have never even thought of them. VW is a ggod one. GM, really?

The Lexus LF-A is the most advanced sports-car ever produced.

lol

He was banned forever for not playing well with others.

hes here he just has anew screen name.

If you call copying than saying its a new idea then no one can beat Toyota/Lexus.Innovation means changing the whole game like the electrical starter (cranks were used before) and first fully automatic transmission.Onstar and heads up display kicks ass too.Call it like it is.

Ferrari, Porsche.

"Who Do You Think Is The Most Innovative Automaker Today?"

A "little" automaker called HONDA. The Clarity is proof! I would also give kudos to BMW for making a car that teaches itself how to drive.

You are on to something. I remember going through patents by automakers and at one time Toyota had like 50 for a storage compartment door.. yeah 50

VAG doesnt belong, but porsche does.

Wow! We have an expert in the carbon fiber tech here!
How about the CF wavering loom?
And how about that engine going to 9500 rpm in 0.6 seconds? It is developed jointly by Toyota and Yamaha.

blazinboy "Forged Carbon Fiber" otherwise known as CRP or carbon reinforced plastic is closer akin to being a more expensive plastic part then a traditional Carbon Fiber part. Traditional Carbon components are still stronger and lighter as they are designed to be strong in the direction(s) they are loaded rather then a mash of plastic and frayed carbon fiber. The main benefit of using CRP lies mainly in it's ability to be molded much the way plastic is, thus lowering the cost of the components/vehicle.

Toyota/Lexus with the Hybrid Synergy Drive - the most efficient hybrid powertrain up to now.

really but Nissan has an all electric and car that doesn't make them the most innovative.

Volt (GM) not a Glorified Golf Cart.

Mercedes Benz- They have the richest history of inventing new safety and performance technology. And they continue to do so. PRESAFE was first pedestrian detection system, Distronic Plus was first adaptive cruise control, they were the first to create electronic brakes that anticipate braking. SLK was first hardtop convertible. ML was first german SUV, S class was first german sedan with standard LED tailights in 2001. CLS was first 4 door coupe. Sure, the products that followed from other brands may have looked better, but MB consistently is willing to bring new models to market. Also, first company with crumple zones, first cars with airbags, first cars with safety door locks. They also pioneered Bluetec which is in more model types in the US than any other diesels from other brands.

And, they are continuing to support both their Sport and Luxury efforts. They give more free-license to AMG with every model cycle.

hehehe You're funny. I like how to keep most of your claims true you limited them to only German vehicles. However, I noticed an errors for the innovations not limited to Germany.

first cars with airbags - Nay, GM beat them to it by 8 years.

Bluetec which is in more model types in the US than any other diesels from other brands - lol model types, too bad the technology isn't in the majority diesels sold.

No doubt, germans are the best in the "being innovative" propaganda. They even claim they invented the automobile. :D

I disagree, forged carbon does not have the same strength as woven carbon. Woven carbon will have a direction, or multiple directions in which it will be much stronger. The reason why CRP is closer akin to plastic is not in the type or amount of resin. But the methodology used to create it (i.e. injected molds vs template molds where layers are strategically placed in, or woven)

Actually they were the first to implement Airbags in production cars. GM did play with the idea and had numerous prototypes before MB put them into production cars, but GM did not put them into production cars for sale until after MB did.

Can you please google carbon reinforced plastic? or Carbon reinforced polymers? we are talking about the same thing. It is plastic, but with carbon embedded to make it stronger. "Forged Carbon" is similar to brand naming it to make it sound better.

so wrong the G35 had it in 03 the DTS wasn't out till 06

*** so wrong the G35 had it in 03 the DTS wasn't out til 06

Lets talk about the world 280SE.Suburban came out in 1935.Antilock brakes in 71 (Oldsmobile) and 73 airbags (Oldsmobile).Give it up.Thats why Germany and Japan got their asses kicked.Copy cats.

Yeah, those American interiors and faulty electronics sure kicked the crap out of Germany. Actually the French invented ABS for aircraft use in 1929. Mercedes was actually the first to offer electronic ABS in 1978. Here are some more innovations. Volvo also has many safety innovations.

http://www.cars.com/go/advice/Story.jsp?section=top&subject=innovations&story=pastInns

If you say overall Mercedes is hard to be beaten. But presently the real innovators are who have given some solid fuel saving and cleaner emissions solution/alternative. And the first name that comes to mind is Toyota with their industry leading Hybrid powertrains.

There are also different companies that are producing engine management.

Overall Denso easily beats Bosch:

"Denso Corporation Leads – Honda, Ford, Bosch and Delphi gain in ranking"

http://www.autolinedetroit.tv/journal-wp-content/uploads/2008/07/patent-board_press-release_20080513_auto_v2.doc

Onstar is about the only major innovation from America worth a crap. It is a good one though. I can't believe GM is the only one with this system.

Okay Blazinboy you got me on the magnetic shocks.
+1 for you on that one

Personally cars have become technological nightmares...you cannot fix them yourself, headlight units cost in the thousands of dollars, safer yes but the driver is totally removed from the process, have become numb
less visceral, you have to go thru multiple screens to change radio channel versus push one button, too many devices distract the driver
from actually driving, etc etc. It may be innovative but it is not all
progress !!!!

Cadillac by far:

The name Cadillac is now part of our language, used to refer to the most superior product in a field. Yet few autophiles realize that Cadillac has, from the start. led the world in successfully bringing out the most important automotive design innovations.

PRECISION MACHINING OF PARTS:
The manufacturing tolerances specified by Cadillac, often to 5 ten thousandths of an inch, would not be surpassed for decades. Exacting gauges were made to check parts, and unlike other motorcar companies, Cadillac threw away all undersized or oversized parts. (1902)

PIONEERING DEVELOPMENT OF MULTI-CYLINDER MOTORS:
In 1905, Cadillac introduced its high-powered, precision machined 4 cylinder motor. The year before, only 44 cars with 4 cylinder motors were produced by all the other car companies combined. 4 years later, Cadillac was selling 10,000 per year. (1905)

INTERCHANGEABILITY OF PARTS:
Cadillac was the first motorcar company with proven interchangeability of parts. The prestigious Royal Automobile Club of England challenged all automobile manufacturers in the world to prove interchangeability of parts in their cars. Only Cadillac dared accept. The RAC chose 3 cars off the showroom floor, tested them, completely dismantled them, mixed up all the parts, added some new parts, and then supervised their reassembly. All three Cadillacs started and ran a 500 mile race without a hitch. The RAC then selected one to be locked up, just as it was, until entered later that year in a 2000 mile Reliability Run. It won. (1908)

DEWAR TROPHY:
Awarded to Cadillac for " THE GREATEST ADVANCE THEN MADE BY ANY MOTOR CAR ", for interchangeability of parts. (1908)

FIRST POINTS IGNITION SYSTEM STANDARD:
Developed by Delco, this is considered the most important advance in automotive ignition systems. It soon replaced magnetos, and was adopted by virtually all cars and used for the next 65 years. (1910)

FIRST CLOSED BODIES STANDARDIZED:
Closed bodies could be selected and order by catalog. (1910)

FIRST COMPLETE PRACTICAL ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:
The first to develop and offer electric starting, ignition, lighting, storage, and charging systems in an automobile. The most important advance in automotive electrical systems. (1912)

SECOND DEWAR TROPHY:
Awarded for Cadillac's breakthrough in electrical system design. Cadillac is the only company ever to win it twice.

WATER THERMOSTAT CONTROLLED COOLING SYSTEM:
One of the most significant advances in cooling system design, now incorporated on all cars. (1914)

Back To Top
90º V-8 MOTOR:
Cadillac "Ushered in an Epoch" in automotive history with the first 90º American V-8. Cadillac continued to lead the world in V-8 engine design from this year forward. From the start, the Cadillac V-8 was such a technical and commercial success that it has been available every year since. (1914)

TRANS-CONTINENTAL RECORD:
Set by Cadillac V-8, broke the old record by 4 days. (1914)

DESIGNATED TO PRODUCE

So what happened to Cadillac? GM happened to them. Their V8's were crap, and the northstar is noisy and unrefined when pushed and overheats easily. You have to remove the intake and fuel injection system jut to change the starter. It is the most pain in the arse to work on. overheat it once and you spend over 5,000 to fix the cylinder heads. It is actually cheaper to get a new engine. to change the engine the entire subframe including suspension, steering transmission etc has to all come out. By far the most difficult car to service and work on. The engine is very unrefined compared to Lexus and Infinity. It has a ugly exhaust note and is only smooth when you are easy on the gas. Get on the gas or push it and it is very noisy and unrefined.

OH, and I didn't deboost you either, you have credible facts posted, and While I am not particular to domestic cars, I am not blindly biased to the point where I am blindly and ignorantly hating. My main issue with domestic cars is cheaply made interior and shoddy parts. That and the fact that they often skimp out and continually refresh models and call them all new and actually succeed in fooling the ignorant American car buyers. I actually like a few American cars.

The problem with uaw_lax's post is that the question was asking for today, and none of the examples he posted are modern examples. Same goes with some of the other benz answers.

what really make me laugh is there slogan " we don't just make luxury cars, we make cadillacs". Honestly to me cadillacs are as luxurious as chrysler. They are the only luxury car maker I know of that have fogs lights as options. Very innovative...

Very true Joe

None are! With their access to huge research resources, why do they allow themselves to be held hostage by the petroleum industry? They refuse to be innovative and give the consumer what they want. Take a page from technology industry.

SH-AWD