The market leaders in the motor industry are always looking for ways to get an advantage over the competition. They’ll look for ways to trim costs in production and logistics, they’ll improve engine efficiency and performance – they’ll investigate any opportunity that’ll elevate them above their rivals. Every now and again, one of the car companies will do something a little outside of the box, to bring an innovation to market that they believe will revolutionise the industry. There have been many of these over the years, from seat belts and airbags to rear-parking sensors and sat-navs, that have become the norm in car production. However, over the long history of the car, there have been quite a few innovations that didn’t quite stand the test of time. For the most part, it’s easy to see why. We’ve listed our six favourite short lived innovations – not all of which are awful ideas.

Saab Sensonic gearbox

Leaders in the advances of safety technology, Swedish manufacturers were often the first in line when it came to car improvement. One piece of technology that certainly did not improve the driving experience was the Sensonic gearbox. In theory, it seems like an ideal situation. What Saab’s Sensonic gearbox provided was the manual experience with the automatic ease of driving. In basic terms, it was a manual gearbox with an automatic clutch.

This works well on the open road as you slide effortlessly between gears while getting that engaging manual sensation, however it all went out of the window when it came to reverse parking up any kind of hill. As demonstrated by James May in an old Top Gear episode, when reversing up a hill, you can’t control the speed of reverse very easily as you don’t have the clutch control to use to your advantage. Instead, as soon as you lift off the accelerator, the car disengages reverse and you find yourself rolling forward. Not ideal.

Fifth wheel parking

We’ve finally reached a stage of technology where the car parks for you. That’s still something that feels very futuristic despite it being a feature of many cars today. If we rewind back almost 90 years, they were closer to this idea that you’d think. The 1930s fifth wheel parking concept is quite an ingenious one and, to be honest, it’s hard to see why it didn’t become the norm. Especially when you see the amount of marks on bumpers in the major cities.

It was a fairly simple idea as a fifth wheel would push down from the rear of the car at a sideways angle and you can swing the car around in the tightest of spaces. The only real downside we can think of is a tiny bit of scrubbing to the front tyres.

Unfortunately it never took off. Brooks Walker demonstrated his invention on a Packard in 1933 and a second attempt in the 1950s on a Cadillac still resulted in the industry brushing the idea off as too expensive.

autos, cars, chrysler, dodge, lexus, list, rolls-royce, saab, the five best failed car innovations

Vinyl player

This one may be fairly obvious as to why it never stood the test of time, but the ambition has to be applauded. We’ve seen the 8-track, cassette and CD players slowly become obsolete with the advancement of in-car entertainment connecting to people’s phones and digital music collections, but the in-car vinyl player had much bigger issues than just being outdated.

Car companies managed to overcome the issues of a car’s suspension making the vinyl player needle jump with some counterweighted and cushioned arms, so the playing wasn’t as much of an issue that you’d think. The real problem was that you couldn’t just bring your records from home and play them. They were special records that effectively meant you’d have to purchase your entire collection all over again. The in-car vinyl player was also only an option in new cars and not something that could be bought and fitted, so demand for these records wasn’t high at all. After just one year they were removed and Chrysler stopped its support for the temperamental machines.

autos, cars, chrysler, dodge, lexus, list, rolls-royce, saab, the five best failed car innovations
autos, cars, chrysler, dodge, lexus, list, rolls-royce, saab, the five best failed car innovations

Toilet – Rolls Royce

Now this is a rare feature as we understand it to have only been built into one car. A man by the name of Joseph Mashuch of New York ordered a custom coachbuilt Rolls Royce in 1954 that had one interesting feature: a toilet. That’s right, the 1954 Rolls-Royce Vignale had a functioning toilet that would empty the contents onto the road. Now, if like us, you assumed it was under the driver’s seat, you’d be mistaken. Thankfully we can all rest easy safe in the knowledge that there isn’t a Rolls-Royce driver out there that’s driving and relieving themselves at the same time.

This toilet is located in the rear seats, so one would have to pull over before defecating on the M25 and driving off. Thankfully. The owner claims that he only kept the chilled champagne in there, but we’ll never fully trust that statement.

Bose Suspension – Lexus LS400

The audio equipment company isn’t the first candidate that jumps to mind to be developing a revolutionary suspension system, but it spent a lot of time on the project and it was actually a technological success. When you watch footage of the electromagnetic suspension in action it is quite incredible. The test car for the suspension was a magnificent Lexus LS400, and is a car that is known for its smooth ride. The luxury car’s suspension does result in some body roll, as you’d expect, when the car is really put to the test over bumps, corners and hard braking. However, when the Bose suspension in the same model is used, the LS400 has absolutely zero body roll. Not even a hint of it. The wheels seem to move as if completely independent from the chassis.

The real party trick of the system was the ability to jump, although Bose said it wouldn’t allow that feature in a final production model. The reason for the system failing wasn’t a technological one, but financial. The system was too expensive to install and a little heavy. The technology is used by Bose today, but in the cushioned seats for long distance truckers. We’ll never get the pleasure of jumping over speed bumps unfortunately.

Rolls Royce image courtesy of Bonhams.

Keyword: The five best failed car innovations

CAR'S NEWS RELATED

The Sound Of This ’65 Mustang Hitting A Trailer Will Hurt Your Soul!

Loading a car on a trailer should not be this difficult, but if you do not do it with care, sometimes things backfire like this. This gentleman has just bought an amazing show-quality vehicle in California and it looks like an amazing built. Normally he does not decide to ...

View more: The Sound Of This ’65 Mustang Hitting A Trailer Will Hurt Your Soul!

2023 Kia Sportage, Toyota BZ4X headlines this week's new car reviews

The 2023 model year ramps up with Toyota’s first dedicated electric vehicle and Kia’s first hybrid iteration of its bestselling Kia Sportage. Here’s what else moved us this week.  The Sportage sizes up for 2023, with sharper, more futuristic styling, a hybrid model, and new rugged X-Pro trims. It ...

View more: 2023 Kia Sportage, Toyota BZ4X headlines this week's new car reviews

This 2022 Kia SUV Comes In Dead Last in Rankings

The 2022 Kia Sorento is one of Kia’s popular SUVs. It’s a three-row midsize SUV with plenty of room and a stylish exterior. Yet things with the Kia Sorento are not all great. Consumer Reports reviews of the 2022 Kia Sorento have it in last place of all midsize three-row ...

View more: This 2022 Kia SUV Comes In Dead Last in Rankings

Spain: Plug-In Car Sales Maintain 10% Share

The Tesla Model 3 appears to be the most popular BEV model in early 2022. New passenger car registrations in Spain decreased in April by 14% year-over-year 70,393, after a 31% decrease in March, resulting in 61,225 sold that month. A similar situation is noted also in other European markets ...

View more: Spain: Plug-In Car Sales Maintain 10% Share

Florida Man WaterskiIs Barefoot Behind a Formula One Car on Its Way to the Miami Grand Prix

The team at Red Bull Racing sure has fun in their Formula One cars for the “Road Trips” video series. Episodes range from Max Verstappen ice racing on spiked tires to Daniel Ricciardo blasting across the USA at top speed. For the first-ever Miami Grand Prix, Red Bull driver Sergio ...

View more: Florida Man WaterskiIs Barefoot Behind a Formula One Car on Its Way to the Miami Grand Prix

Hot Tires Alert: The Jeep Wrangler 392 Is Getting a Burnout Mode

Some people like to make an entrance, but with the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392, you can create one heck of an exit. Word on the street is that the 2022 Jeep Wrangler 392 and the Ram 1500 TRX could be getting a 4LO burnout mode.  The Jeep Wrangler 392 gets ...

View more: Hot Tires Alert: The Jeep Wrangler 392 Is Getting a Burnout Mode

Happy Mother's Day: One Thing Is For Sure, Elon Musk Loves His Mom

Musk told reporters at the recent Met Gala that he only attended because his mom wanted to go, so, of course, he took her. This article comes to us courtesy of EVANNEX, which makes and sells aftermarket Tesla accessories. The opinions expressed therein are not necessarily our own at InsideEVs, nor ...

View more: Happy Mother's Day: One Thing Is For Sure, Elon Musk Loves His Mom

Tata Nexon EV Ready To Launch On May 11

Tata Motors is all set to announce the long-range Nexon EV prices on May 11, 2022. According to sources, the long-range Nexon EV will get a 30 percent larger battery than the current model and will have a claimed range of around 400km. It will also have some new ...

View more: Tata Nexon EV Ready To Launch On May 11

Peugeot Sport’s 9X8 hypercar won’t be in Le Mans race, to debut later in 2022 WEC season

Only 1 Dodge Model Is Recommended by Consumer Reports

Do You Need an OBD2 Scanner?

Tesla Model 3 Performance Puts Up A Great Fight Against Lamborghini Urus

Why ‘really tough’ Miami strategy will have F1 teams thinking

Howell Is Elite At Rocket Raceway Park

2022 Maruti Suzuki XL6 with a wide-body kit: What it’ll look like

Rosario Highlights NOW600 Winners At Port City

Cummins Wins POWRi At Macon Speedway

Anderson Wins Again In Salt Lake City; Craig 250SX Champion

Laney Wins, Claims California Clash Title

Twitter to have “extreme” work ethic expectations for its employees, says Musk

OTHER CAR NEWS

; Top List in the World https://www.pinterest.com/newstopcar/pins/
Top Best Sushi Restaurants in SeoulTop Best Caribbean HoneymoonsTop Most Beautiful Islands in PeruTop Best Outdoor Grill BrandsTop Best Global Seafood RestaurantsTop Foods to Boost Your Immune SystemTop Best Foods to Fight HemorrhoidsTop Foods That Pack More Potassium Than a BananaTop Best Healthy Foods to Gain Weight FastTop Best Cosmetic Brands in the U.STop Best Destinations for Food Lovers in EuropeTop Best Foods High in Vitamin ATop Best Foods to Lower Your Blood SugarTop Best Things to Do in LouisianaTop Best Cities to Visit in New YorkTop Best Makeup Addresses In PennsylvaniaTop Reasons to Visit NorwayTop Most Beautiful Islands In The WorldTop Best Law Universities in the WorldTop Richest Sportsmen In The WorldTop Biggest Aquariums In The WorldTop Best Peruvian Restaurants In MiamiTop Best Road Trips From MiamiTop Best Places to Visit in MarylandTop Best Places to Visit in North CarolinaTop Best Electric Cars For KidsTop Best Swedish Brands in The USTop Best Skincare Brands in AmericaTop Best American Lipstick BrandsTop Michelin-starred Restaurants in MiamiTop Best Secluded Getaways From MiamiTop Best Things To Do On A Rainy Day In MiamiTop Most Instagrammable Places In MiamiTop Interesting Facts about FlorenceTop Facts About The First Roman Emperor - AugustusTop Best Japanese FoodsTop Most Beautiful Historical Sites in IsraelTop Best Places To Visit In Holy SeeTop Best Hawaiian IslandsTop Reasons to Visit PortugalTop Best Hotels In L.A. With Free Wi-FiTop Best Scenic Drives in MiamiTop Best Vegan Restaurants in BerlinTop Most Interesting Attractions In WalesTop Health Benefits of a Vegan DietTop Best Thai Restaurant in Las VegasTop Most Beautiful Forests in SwitzerlandTop Best Global Universities in GermanyTop Most Beautiful Lakes in GuyanaTop Best Things To Do in IdahoTop Things to Know Before Traveling to North MacedoniaTop Best German Sunglasses BrandsTop Highest Mountains In FranceTop Biggest Hydroelectric Plants in AmericaTop Best Spa Hotels in NYCTop The World's Scariest BridgeTop Largest Hotels In AmericaTop Most Famous Festivals in JordanTop Best European Restaurants in MunichTop Best Japanese Hiking Boot BrandsTop Best Universities in PolandTop Best Tips for Surfing the Web Safely and AnonymouslyTop Most Valuable Football Clubs in EuropeTop Highest Mountains In ColombiaTop Real-Life Characters of Texas RisingTop Best Beaches in GuatelamaTop Things About DR Congo You Should KnowTop Best Korean Reality & Variety ShowsTop Best RockstarsTop Most Beautiful Waterfalls in GermanyTop Best Fountain Pen Ink BrandsTop Best European Restaurants in ChicagoTop Best Fighter Jets in the WorldTop Best Three-Wheel MotorcyclesTop Most Beautiful Lakes in ManitobaTop Best Dive Sites in VenezuelaTop Best Websites For Art StudentsTop Best Japanese Instant Noodle BrandsTop Best Comedy Manhwa (Webtoons)Top Best Japanese Sunglasses BrandsTop Most Expensive Air Jordan SneakersTop Health Benefits of CucumberTop Famous Universities in SwedenTop Most Popular Films Starring Jo Jung-sukTop Interesting Facts about CougarsTop Best Hospitals for Hip Replacement in the USATop Most Expensive DefendersTop Health Benefits of GooseberriesTop Health Benefits of ParsnipsTop Best Foods and Drinks in LondonTop Health Benefits of Rosehip TeaTop Best Air Fryers for Low-fat CookingTop Most Asked Teacher Interview Questions with AnswersTop Best Shopping Malls in ZurichTop The Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens In L.A.Top Best Mexican Restaurants in Miami for Carb-loading rightTop Best Energy Companies in GermanyTop Best Garage HeatersTop Largest Banks in IrelandTop Leading Provider - Audit and Assurance In The USTop Best Jewelry Brands in IndiaTop Prettiest Streets in the UKTop Best Lakes to Visit in TunisiaTop Highest Mountains in Israel