List of automotive superlatives: Information from Answers.com Mobile

List of automotive superlatives

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Contents

1 Vehicle dimensions
2 Engines
3 Economy
4 Price
5 Performance
6 Sales
7 Firsts
8 Pre-War
9 See also
10 References

Automobiles are frequently judged in their industry by many superlatives: the smallest, largest, fastest, lightest, best-selling, and so on. They vary greatly in size, engine displacement, power, price, and many other traits.

In order to keep the entries relevant, the list (except for the firsts section) is limited to automobiles built after World War II, and lists superlatives for earlier vehicles separately. The list is also limited to production road cars that:

are constructed principally for retail sale to consumers, for their personal use, and to transport people on public roads (no commercial or industrial vehicles are eligible);
have had 20 or more instances made by the original vehicle manufacturer, and offered for commercial sale to the public in new condition (cars modified by either professional tuners or individuals are not eligible); and;
are street-legal in their intended markets, and capable of passing any official tests or inspections required to be granted this status.

Vehicle dimensions

Overall

Length
- Longest
  - Current production car - 6,165 mm (242.7 in) - Maybach 62
  - Production car - 6,405 mm (252.2 in) - 1973-76 (for the 1974-76 model year) Cadillac Series 75^[1]
  - Pickup Truck - 6,650 mm (261.8 in) - Ford F-350 Super Duty Crew Cab Long Bed
  - Commercial - 7,345 mm (289.2 in) - Mercedes-Benz Sprinter LWB and Volkswagen Crafter LWB
- Shortest
  - Current production car - 2,695 mm (106.1 in) - Smart Fortwo
  - Production car - 1,340 mm (52.8 in) - 1962-65 Peel P50

Width
- Widest
  - Current production car - 2,058 mm (81.0 in) - Lamborghini Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce
  - Production car - 2,105 mm (82.9 in) - 1953-54 (for the 1954 model year) Chrysler Crown Imperial
  - Pickup Truck - 2,438 mm (96.0 in) - Dodge Ram 3500
  - Commercial - 2,474 mm (97.4 in) - Unimog U5000
- Narrowest
  - TBD

Height
- Tallest
  - Van - 1,990 mm (78.3 in) - VW Multivan (LWB)
  - Pickup Truck - 2,956 mm (116.4 in) - 2005 Brabus Unimog U500 Black Edition
  - SUV - 2,083 mm (82.0 in) - 2003-9 Hummer H2
  - Commercial - 2,676 mm (105.4 in) - Unimog U5000
- Lowest
  - Current production car - 1,117 mm (44.0 in) - Lotus Elise
  - Production car - 1,029 mm (40.5 in) - 1963-69 (for the 1964-69 model year) Ford GT40
  - Limited Production car - 736.6 mm (29.0 in) - 1969 Probe 15^[2]

Wheelbase

Longest
- Current production car - 3,828 mm (150.7 in) - Maybach 62
- Production car - 3,912 mm (154.0 in) - 1933-37 (for the 1934-37 model year) Cadillac V-16
- Limited Production car - 4,572 mm (180.0 in) - 1927 Bugatti Royale
- Pickup Truck - 4,379 mm (172.4 in) - Ford F-350 Super Duty Crew Cab
- Commercial - 5,080 mm (200.0 in) - Ford F-550 Super Duty Chassis Crew Cab
Shortest
- Current production car - 1,867 mm (73.5 in) - Smart Fortwo
- Production car - 1,270 mm (50.0 in) - 1962-65 Peel P50

Track

Widest Front
- Production car - 1,685 mm (66.3 in) - Rolls Royce Phantom
- Pickup truck - 1,879 mm (74.0 in) - Ford F-150 SVT Raptor
- Commercial - 1,930 mm (76.0 in) - Dodge Ram 4500 Chassis Cab
Widest Rear
- Current production car - 1,694 mm (66.7 in) Maybach 57 and 62
- Production car - 1,710 mm (67.3 in) - 1992-94 Jaguar XJ220
- Pickup truck - 1,925 mm (75.8 in) - Dodge Ram 3500 Crew Cab Dual Rear Wheels
- Commercial - 1,927 mm (75.9 in) - Unimog U4000
Narrowest Front
- Production car - 990 mm (39.0 in) - 1962-65 Peel P50
Narrowest Rear
- Production car - 521 mm (20.5 in) - 1953-61 Isetta

Weight

Lightest
- Current production car - 600 kg (1,323 lb) - Tata Nano
- Production car - 59 kg (130 lb) - 1962-65 Peel P50
- Current production racecar - 456 kg (1,005 lb) - Ariel Atom
Heaviest Curb Weight
- Current production car - 2,855 kg (6,294 lb) - Maybach 62
- Production car - 4,800 kg (10,582 lb) (armoured-at least 21 made) - 1938-43 Mercedes-Benz 770 W150^[3]
- SUV - 3,428 kg (7,557 lb) - 1992-2006 Hummer H1 Alpha Wagon
- Pickup truck - 6,600 kg (14,551 lb) - 2003-8 (for the 2004-8 model year) International CXT
- Commercial - 5,350 kg (11,795 lb) - Unimog U5000 Long Wheelbase

Engines

Engine displacement

Smallest

Current production car - 624 cubic centimetres (38.1 cu in) - 2008 Tata Nano
Production car - 49 cubic centimetres (3.0 cu in) - 1962-65 Peel P50

Largest

Current production car - 8,390 cubic centimetres (512.0 cu in) V10 Dodge SRT Viper
Production car - 13,503 cubic centimetres (824.0 cu in) I6 1912-18 Pierce-Arrow Model 6-66 Raceabout and 1912-14 Peerless Model 6-60
Current limited production car - 11,553 cubic centimetres (705.0 cu in) V8 Nelson Racing Engines 705 HEMI BBC Pump Gas Warrior
Limited production car 28,300 cubic centimetres (1,727.0 cu in) I4 1911 Fiat S76 two-seat racer

Power

Highest power

Petrol/Gasoline engine (naturally aspirated) - 559 kW (760 PS; 750 hp) - Aston Martin One-77 7,300 cubic centimetres (445.5 cu in) V12
Petrol/Gasoline engine (forced-induction) - 960 kW (1,305 PS; 1,287 hp) SSC Ultimate Aero TT 6,350 cubic centimetres (387.5 cu in) V8
Diesel engine (forced-induction) - 368 kW (500 PS; 493 bhp), Audi Q7 5,934 cubic centimetres (362.1 cu in) twin-turbo TDI V12^[4]^[5]
Diesel engine (naturally aspirated) - 138 kW (188 PS; 185 bhp), 1992 Ford F-250 7,276 cubic centimetres (444.0 cu in) - IDI Diesel V8

Electric engine - 402 bhp (300 kW; 408 PS), Fisker Karma

Highest specific power (power-to-weight ratio)

Naturally aspirated - 1045 hp/metric ton (1.91 lb/hp) - 2007 Caparo T1 V8 engine 429 kW (583 PS; 575 hp) and 470 kg (1,036 lb)
Forced-induction - 1,107 hp/metric ton 2011 SSC Ultimate Aero TT V8 engine 960 kW (1,305 PS; 1,287 hp) and 1,197 kg (2,639 lb)

Highest specific engine output (power/unit displacement)

Petrol/Gasoline (naturally aspirated) piston engine - 118.81 kW (161.5 PS; 159.3 hp) per litre - 2009 Caparo T1 415.35 kW (565 PS; 557 hp) 3.496 L ^[6]
Petrol/Gasoline (forced-induction) piston engine - 151.3 kW (206 PS; 203 hp) per litre - Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution FQ-400 302.15 kW (411 PS; 405 hp) 1.997 L I4^[7]
Biofuel piston engine - 166.2 kW (226 PS; 223 hp) per litre - 2011 Koenigsegg Agera R 831 kW (1,130 PS; 1,114 hp)
Diesel engine (naturally aspirated) - 33.38 kW (45.4 PS; 44.8 hp) per litre - 1993 Mercedes E 300 Diesel 100 kW (136 PS; 134 hp) DIN 2.996 L OM606 I6
Diesel engine (forced-induction) - 93.33 kW (126.9 PS; 125.2 hp) per litre - 2012 BMW M550d 3.0 L I6 triple-turbo 280 kW (381 PS; 375 hp) DIN
Pistonless rotary engine (naturally aspirated) - 140.5 kW (191.0 PS; 188.4 hp) per litre - Mazda RX-8 Renesis 184 kW (250 PS; 247 hp) JIS 1.3 L
Pistonless rotary engine (forced-induction) - 158.46 kW (215.4 PS; 212.5 hp) per litre - Mazda RX-7 206 kW (280 PS; 276 hp) JIS 1.3 L

Torque

Highest torque

Petrol engine (forced-induction) - 1,508 N·m (1,112 ft·lbf), SSC Ultimate Aero TT
Limited production petrol engine (naturally aspirated) - 786 N·m (580 ft·lbf), 1999 Mercedes CLK GTR SS
Petrol engine (naturally aspirated) - 759 N·m (560 ft·lbf), 2008-10 Dodge SRT Viper
Diesel engine - 1,085 N·m (800 ft·lbf), Dodge Ram Heavy Duty I6 TDI - 6,686 cc (408.0 cu in) turbo I6 engine and Ford Super Duty V8 TDI 6.7 L - turbo V8 engine
Electric engine - 1,300 N·m (959 ft·lbf), Fisker Karma

Highest specific torque (torque/unit displacement)

The mean effective pressure (MEP) is a useful comparison tool, giving the average cylinder pressure exerted on the piston.

Limited production petrol engine (naturally aspirated) MEP 15.4 bar, 122.9 N·m (91 ft·lbf) per litre - TVR Cerbera 4.5 Red Rose Lightweight 550 N·m (406 ft·lbf) TVR Speed Eight engine
Petrol engine (naturally aspirated) - MEP 15.1 bar, 120.03 N·m (89 ft·lbf) per litre - Ferrari 458 Italia 540 N·m (398 ft·lbf)
Petrol engine (forced-induction) - MEP 33 bar, 262.76 N·m (194 ft·lbf) per litre - 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X FQ400 525 N·m (387 ft·lbf)
Petrol engine (naturally aspirated pistonless rotary engine) - MEP 21.5 bar, 170.8 N·m (126.0 ft·lbf) per litre - 2005 Mazda RX-8 222 N·m (164 ft·lbf)
Petrol engine (forced-induction pistonless rotary engine) - MEP 30.3 bar, 241.38 N·m (178.0 ft·lbf) per litre - Mazda RX-7 Turbo 313.8 N·m (231 ft·lbf)
Diesel engine (naturally aspirated) - MEP 9.03 bar, 71.88 N·m (53 ft·lbf) per litre - 1999 Nissan Sunny B15 2.2D 2.184 L 157 N·m (116 ft·lbf) Nissan YD engine
Diesel engine (forced-induction) - MEP 30.9 bar, 247 N·m (182 ft·lbf) per litre - 2012 BMW 5 Series M550d 740 N·m (546 ft·lbf) (Engine also available in BMW: X5 M50d / X6 M50d)

Economy

USA measurements

Highest USA EPA mileage - 48 mpg_-US (4.9 L/100 km; 58 mpg_-imp)/60 mpg_-US (3.9 L/100 km; 72 mpg_-imp) - 2001 Honda Insight 5-speed
- Note: in 2007 the EPA changed its measurement standards, changing the rating to 48 mpg_-US (4.9 L/100 km; 58 mpg_-imp)/58 mpg_-US (4.1 L/100 km; 70 mpg_-imp)
Lowest USA EPA mileage - 6 mpg_-US (39 L/100 km; 7.2 mpg_-imp)/10 mpg_-US (24 L/100 km; 12 mpg_-imp) - 1986-1990 Lamborghini Countach

European Union measurements

Lowest EU fuel consumption - 2.99 L/100 km (94.5 mpg_-imp; 78.7 mpg_-US) - 1999 Volkswagen Lupo 1.2 TDI / 2001 Audi A2 1.2 TDI
Highest EU fuel consumption - 24.1 L/100 km (11.7 mpg_-imp; 9.76 mpg_-US) combined city/hwy 2008 Bugatti Veyron 16.4
Longest 90% range - 1,658 km (1,030 mi) - 2010 Volkswagen Passat 77 kW TDI BlueMotion with 6-speed manual and 70 L (15.4 imp gal; 18.5 US gal) fuel tank, calculated by using extra-urban Euro cycle mileage of 3.8 L/100 km (74 mpg_-imp; 62 mpg_-US)^{[citation needed]}

Price

Most expensive (production) - US$4.4 million Aston Martin One-77^[8]
Least-expensive (production) - US$125 ($1,638 in 2012) – 1922 Briggs & Stratton Flyer
Most expensive (auction) - US$16,390,000 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa (2011)^[9]
Most expensive (private sale) - US$30,000,000—US$40,000,000 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atalante Coupe (2010)^[10]
Most expensive (concept car) - US$8,000,000 2005 Maybach Exelero

Performance

Acceleration

Quickest 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) - 2.3 seconds - Ariel Atom 500^[11]
Quickest 0 to 161 km/h (0 to 100 mph) - 4.5 seconds - Bugatti Veyron Super Sport^[12]
Quickest 0 to 200 km/h (0 to 124 mph) - 7.3 seconds - 2005-11 Bugatti Veyron 16.4^[13]
Quickest 0 to 300 km/h (0 to 186 mph) - 16.7 seconds - 2005-11 Bugatti Veyron 16.4^[13]
Quickest 0 to 400 km/h (0 to 249 mph) - 55.6 seconds - 2005-11 Bugatti Veyron 16.4^[13]

Top speed

Highest top speed: Bugatti Veyron Super Sport - 431 km/h (268 mph).^[14]^[15]
Highest top speed (naturally aspirated): 1992-98 Mclaren F1 - 372 km/h (231 mph)

Highest Redline

Internal Combustion Production Car: Ariel Atom 500 10,600 rpm
Electric Production Vehicle: 2008-12 Tesla Roadster 14,000 rpm

Sales

See also:
List of bestselling vehicle nameplates,
List of automobile sales by model,
Bestselling cars of all time

Best-selling models:
- Best-selling vehicle nameplate - Toyota Corolla (more than 32,000,000 sold in nine generations since 1966) - Ford F-Series(33,900,000 sold in twelve generations since 1948, as of May 2010)
- Best-selling single model - Volkswagen Beetle (21,529,464 of the same basic design sold worldwide between 1938 and 2003)
- Best single-year sales - 1.36 million - 2005 Toyota Corolla^[16]
- Best single-month sales - 126,905 - July 2005 Ford F-Series^[17]

Firsts

Mostly full-production vehicles are listed here. Many were preceded by racing-only cars. This list mainly includes developments that lead to widespread adoption across the automotive industry.

Industry

First fully-functioning automobile - 1885 Benz Patent-Motorwagen
First limited production automobile - 1893 Duryea Motor Wagon
First production automobile - 1901 Oldsmobile Curved Dash (Over 400 were produced in 1901, 2,500 in 1902, with over 19,000 built in all.)^[18]
First auto company technical institute - General Motors Institute (now Kettering University)
First automotive proving ground - 1915 Dodge Brothers Test Track, Hamtramck, Michigan

Engine types

first V engine
- First limited production - 1904 Marmon V8
- First production - 1910 De Dion-Bouton CJ V8^[19]
first straight engine
- First limited production - 1903 Napier & Son I6

Engine technologies

engine configuration & other miscellaneous fundamental construction details

first flat engine — 1905 Knox
first variable displacement engine — 1905 Sturtevant 38/45 six^{[citation needed]}

first square engine — 1906 Premier
first engine with removable cylinder head — 1908 Ford Model T

first counterbalanced crankshaft — 1908 Mercer Type 35

first split-plane crankshaft — 1922 (for the 1923 model year) Cadillac V8 engine
first crankcase ventilation system — 1925 (for the 1926 model year) Cadillac V8 engine
first diesel engined production car — 1935 Citroen Rosalie
first gas turbine car — 1950 Rover JET 1 (experimental only; no gas turbine car ever reached real production)
first Miller cycle engine — 1996 Mazda Millenia
first Atkinson cycle engine — 1997 Toyota Prius
first Hydrogen vehicle — BMW Hydrogen 7 (Germany)^{[citation needed]}

Wankel engines

first Wankel engine — 1964 NSU Spider
first front-wheel drive car with Wankel engine — 1966 NSU Ro 80
first 2-rotor Wankel engine — 1966 NSU Ro 80
first 3-rotor Wankel engine — 1969 Mercedes C111
first 4-rotor Wankel engine — 1970 Mercedes C111
first turbocharged Wankel engine — 1982 Mazda Luce and Cosmo

valvetrain

first overhead camshaft (OHC) engine — 1898 Wilkinson^{[citation needed]}

first sleeve valve — 1909 Daimler (developed functional system from 1903 Knight Engine design)^[20]
first double overhead camshaft (DOHC) engine — 1921 Ballot^{[citation needed]}

multi-valve engines

first limited production 3-valve engine — 1912 Bugatti Type 18
first production 3-valve engine — 1924 Bugatti Type 35
first limited production 4-valve engine — 1913 Peugeot Grand Prix
first limited production 5-valve engine — 1921 Peugeot Grand Prix
first production 4-valve engine — 1973 Triumph Dolomite Sprint
first multi-valve turbocharged engine — 1980 Maserati Biturbo (AM452)
first Variable Valve Timing (VVT) engine — 1980 Alfa Romeo Spider 2.0 L^[21]
first 6-valve engine — 1985 Maserati Biturbo 2.0 L V6 36v 261 hp (prototype)
first production 5-valve engine — 1989 Mitsubishi Dangan ZZ
first 3-valve diesel engine — 1989 Citroën XM
first 4-valve diesel engine — 1993 Mercedes-Benz C-Class (OM604 engine)

variable valve timing (VVT)

first electronic VVT — 1987 Nissan 300ZR VG30DE NVCS V6^{[citation needed]}
first cam-switching VVT — 1989 Honda Integra RSi/XSi B16A VTEC 1.6 L DOHC I4
first VVT passenger car diesel engine — 2010 Mitsubishi ASX 4N13 1.8 L DOHC I4

aspiration

first supercharged car — 1921 Mercedes 6/25/40 hp
first turbocharged car — 1961 (for the 1962 model year) Oldsmobile F-85 (Turbo Jetfire)
first application of a wastegate to regulate a turbocharger's boost — 1975 Porsche 911 Turbo
first turbocharged diesel car — 1978 Mercedes-Benz 300SD^{[citation needed]}
first supercharged and turbocharged car — 1985 Lancia Delta S4 (homologation special, 200 road cars produced for Group B regulations)
first variable-nozzle turbocharger — 1989 Shelby CSX-VNT / Garrett AiResearch
first twin-turbocharged car — Maserati Biturbo
first quad-turbocharged car — Bugatti EB110

fuel systems

first carburetor — 1896 Daimler
first carburetor air filter — 1915 Packard Twin Six
first automatic choke — 1931 (for the 1932 model year) Oldsmobile
first four-barrel carburetor — 1940 (for the 1941 model year) Buick (Compound Carburetion)

fuel injection (FI)

first FI engine — 1910 Adams-Farwell Diesel
first non-diesel FI engine — 1952 Goliath GP700 and Gutbrod
first gasoline direct injection engine — 1952 Goliath GP700 and Gutbrod
first Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) — 1957 Rambler Rebel (prototypes)
first limited production EFI — 1957 (for the 1958 model year) Chrysler 300D, DeSoto Adventurer, Dodge D-500 and Plymouth Fury
first production EFI — 1968 Volkswagen Type 3 and Type 4
first turbocharged diesel direct injection engine — 1986 Fiat Croma Turbo D i.d.
first Diesel direct injection engine — 1986 Fiat Croma Turbo D i.d.^[22]
first electronic gasoline direct injection — 1996 Mitsubishi Galant/Legnum 4G93 GDI I4
first passenger car common rail diesel direct injection engine — 1997 Alfa Romeo 156 JTD^[23]
first turbocharged gasoline direct injection engine — 2004/09 Audi A3, Audi A4 and VW Golf Mk5 GTI (2.0 TFSI)

ignition systems

first contact breaker point ignition — 1910 Cadillac Model Thirty / Delco
first electronic ignition — 1959 (for the 1960 model year) General Motors / Delco
first distributor-less ignition — Citroën 2CV (???)

general miscellany

first California Ultra Low Emission Vehicle — 1995 Honda Accord
first California Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle — 2000 Honda Accord I4^[24]

Hybrid vehicles

First gas-electric hybrid - 1899 Lohner-Porsche Mixte
First modern hybrid car - 1904 Auto-Mixte (Belgium)
First mass-produced hybrid car - 1997 Toyota Prius
First hybrid bus - 1997 Hino
First all-wheel drive hybrid - 2003 (for the 2004 model year) Ford Escape Hybrid
First hybrid SUV - 2003 (for the 2004 model year) Ford Escape Hybrid
First hybrid luxury car - 2004 (for the 2005 Japanese model year) Lexus RX 400h (introduced January 2004)
First mild hybrid pickup truck - 2004 (for the 2005 model year) Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra Hybrid
First full hybrid pickup truck - 2008 (for the 2009 model year) Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra Hybrid

Body

First tricar - 1885 Benz Patent Motorwagen^[25]
First motorized truck — October 1896 Daimler
First sedan/saloon — 1900 Renault Voiturette
First production station wagon (estate) - 1908 Ford Model T
First production closed-body car - 1910 Cadillac Model Thirty
First cyclecar - 1910 GN/1910 Bédélia^[26]
First aerodynamic design - 1921 Rumpler Tropfenwagen
First monocoque - 1924 Lancia Lambda
First shatter-resistant windshield glass - 1925 (for the 1926 model year) Cadillac
First minivan - 1932 Stout Scarab
First all-aluminium body - 1933 Riley Nine Kestrel
First coupé convertible - 1934 Peugeot 401 D Eclipse
First Pickup / Utility vehicle (Ute) - 1934 Ford Coupé utility
First retractable hardtop roof - 1934 Pourtout Lancia Belna Eclipse (coachbuilt)
First flush mounted gas door - 1936 Cord 810
First fully boxed frame - 1938 ERA R4D (racing car)
First fiberglass body - 1946 Stout Scarab Experimental (also first monocoque fiberglass body)
First safety windshield - 1947 (for the 1948 model year) Tucker (popout safety glass)
First hardtop - 1948 (for the 1949 model year) Cadillac Coupe de Ville, Buick Roadmaster Riviera and Oldsmobile 98 Holiday
First production minivan - 1950 Volkswagen Type 2 (AKA the minibus).
First limited production fiberglass body - 1951 (for the 1952 model year) Woodill Wildfire
First production fiberglass body - 1952 (for the 1953 model year) Chevrolet Corvette
First hatchback - 1953 Aston Martin DB2/4
First body made of recycled material - 1954 Trabant P70
First Crossover - 1955 GAZ M72
First 4-door hardtop - 1955 (for the 1956 model year) Cadillac Sedan de Ville and Buick Roadmaster Riviera
First production fiberglass monocoque - 1956 Berkeley SA322
First Mini MPV - 1956 Fiat 600 Multipla
First fiberglass bodied 4-door Sedan - 1970 Anodal A2
First fiberglass bodied Station wagon / Estate car - 1973 Anodal SV-1600
First all-aluminium space frame - 1990 Honda NSX
First carbon fibre monocoque - 1993 McLaren F1
First stress-bearing engine acting like a structural member - 1995 Ferrari F50
First single-piece carbon fibre monocoque - 2003 Invicta S1
First fully boxed frame Pickup - 2003 (for the 2004 model year) Ford F-150 (???)

Transmission

Manual transmissions
- First synchronized transmission - 1928 (for the 1929 model year) Cadillac and LaSalle
- First overdrive - 1933 (for the 1934 model year) Chrysler Airflow
- First modern cone synchromesh transmission - 1952 Porsche 356
- First 5-speed manual - 1948 Lancia Ardea
- First 8-speed manual - 1960 Moskvitch 410/411
- First 6-speed manual - 1967 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale
Automatic transmissions
- First automatic transmission - May 1939 Oldsmobile (Hydra-Matic, also the first 4-speed automatic)
- First torque converter automatic - 1948 (middle of model year) Buick Roadmaster (Dynaflow)
- First non-planetary automatic - 1968 Honda (Hondamatic)
- First 5-speed automatic - 1989 Nissan Cedric, Nissan Cefiro, Nissan Gloria, Nissan Skyline, Nissan Laurel,(RE5R01A, Jatco/Nissan transmission) ^[27]
- First 6-speed automatic - 2002 BMW E65 7-Series (ZF 6HP26)
- First 7-speed automatic - 2003 Mercedes-Benz (7G-Tronic)
- First 8-speed automatic - 2007 Lexus LS 460
First limited slip differential - 1955 (for the 1956 model year) Studebaker
- Note: In 1939, the Volkswagen Type 82 used a cam and pawl type differential which had a slip-limiting effect.)
First continuously variable transmission - 1958 DAF 600 "A-Type"
First active differential - 1986 Porsche 959 PSK (limited production of 200 vehicles)
First toroidal continuously variable transmission - 1999 Nissan Cedric and Nissan Gloria
First dual clutch transmission - 2003 Volkswagen Golf Mk4 R32 (Direct-Shift Gearbox)^[28]

Layout

First FR layout car - 1895 Panhard et Levassor
First RR layout car - 1896 Hertel^{[citation needed]}
First FR layout transaxle - 1898 De Dion-Bouton
First four-wheel drive vehicle - 1910 Caldwell Vale
First MR car - 1921 Rumpler Tropfenwagen
First front-wheel drive - 1924 Tracta (Gregoire-Tracta)
First transverse front-wheel drive - 1931 DKW F1^{[citation needed]}
First four-wheel drive car - 1966 Jensen FF
First transverse all-wheel drive - 1968 Austin Ant (never entered production)
First transverse front-wheel drive I6 - 1970 Austin Kimberley and Austin Tasman
First MR four-wheel drive car - 1984 Ford RS200 (homologation special, 200 road cars produced for Group B regulations.)
First transverse front-wheel drive I5 - 1993 Volvo 850

Suspension

First front independent suspension - 1911 Morgan
First torsion bar suspension - 1921 Leyland
First hydraulic shock absorbers - 1932 (for the 1933 model year) Hudson (Monroe)
First coil spring / shock absorber suspension - 1933 (for the 1934 model year) General Motors (Knee-Action), Chrysler (except Airflow), Dodge and Plymouth, and Hudson (Axleflex)
First air suspension - 1946 Stout Scarab Experimental
First MacPherson strut suspension - 1949 Ford Vedette
First self-levelling suspension - 1955 Citroën DS
First production air suspension - 1956 (for the 1957 model year) Cadillac Eldorado Brougham (standard)
First Chapman strut suspension - 1958 Lotus Elite
First electronic adjustable suspension dampers - 1981 Nissan Skyline
First electronically controlled suspension - 1983 Toyota Soarer (Japan-market model) and Mitsubishi Galant ECS
First active air suspension - 1987 Mitsubishi Galant active ECS
First active hydraulic suspension - 1990 Citroën XM (Hydractive)
First active anti-roll bars - 1994 Citroën Xantia Activa (Active Roll Stabilisation)

Brakes

First four-wheel brakes - 1909 Argyll (developed by Arrol-Johnston)^[29]
First power brakes - 1919 Hispano-Suiza H6 (mechanically assisted and 4-wheel^[30])
First hydraulic power brakes - 1921 Duesenberg Model A^[31] (4-wheel)
First vacuum-assist power brakes - 1927 (for the 1928 model year) Pierce-Arrow
First disc brakes - 1948 (for the 1949 model year) Chrysler Crown Imperial (4-wheel and standard)
First diagonally split, dual brake circuits - 1962 Saab 95/96
First antilock braking system - 1966 Jensen FF (Dunlop Maxaret system, previously used in aviation)
First electrical & electronic antilock braking system - 1969 (for the 1970 model year Lincoln Continental Mark III (standard)
First 4-wheel electrical & electronic antilock braking system - 1970 (for the 1971 model year) Imperial
First asbestos-free brake pads - 1983 Saab Automobile
First regenerative brakes - 1997 Toyota Prius
First electro-hydraulic brakes - 2001 Toyota Prius
First electric parking brake - 2002 BMW E65/E66

Driver-aids

First steering wheel - 1900 Packard
First speedometer - 1901 Oldsmobile
First windscreen wiper - 1903 Mary Anderson (inventor)
First electromechanical vehicle horn - 1908 Klaxon ("ah-oo-gah")
First tilt-away steering wheel - 1912 Peerless
First standard rear-view mirror - 1912 Marmon^{[citation needed]}
First dash-mounted fuel gauge - 1914 Studebaker
First power windscreen wiper - 1916 Willys-Knight
First electric windscreen wiper - 1922 William M. Folberth (inventor)
First tilt-away steering column - 1927 (for the 1928 model year) Buick
First windscreen defogger - 1927 (for the 1928 model year) Studebaker
First horn ringed steering wheel - 1935 (for the 1936 model year) Cord 810
First windscreen washer - 1936 (for the 1937 model year) Studebaker
First turn signals - 1937 (for the 1938 model year) Buick
First rear window defogger - 1947 (for the 1948 model year) Cadillac
First power steering - 1950 (for the 1951 model year) Chrysler Imperial
First cruise control - 1956 (for the 1957 model year) Imperial
First tilt/telescope steering wheel - 1964 (for the 1965 model year) Cadillac
First traction control system/anti slip regulation - 1970 (for the 1971 model year) full-size Buick (MaxTrac)
First LED display - 1976 Aston Martin Lagonda instrument cluster
First original-equipment (OEM) Citizens Band radio - 1976 (for the 1977 model year) Lincoln, Cadillac, Buick (except Skyhawk), Oldsmobile (except Omega and Starfire) and Pontiac (except Ventura, Sunbird and Astre)
First trip computer - 1978 (in middle of model year) Cadillac Seville
First navigation system - August 1981 Honda Accord (analog, dealer-installed)^[32]
First Rain-Sensing Windshield Wipers - 1984 Nissan 200SX andSilvia
First CRT display - 1984 Aston Martin Lagonda computer controlled instrument cluster
First electronic four-wheel steering - 1985 Nissan Skyline HICAS
First original equipment GPS navigation - 1986 GT Limited Toyota Soarer
First drive-by-wire throttle - 1988 BMW 750iL
First mechanical four-wheel steering - 1988 Honda Prelude 4WS
First heads-up display - 1987 (for the 1988 model year) Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
First electrochromic rear-view mirror - 1989 Lexus LS
First digital navigation system - 1990 Acura Legend
First dynamic stability control system/Electronic Stability Programme/Vehicle Stability Control - 1995 BMW 7-Series, Mercedes-Benz CL-Class, and Toyota Crown Majesta
First telematics assist system - 1996 (for the 1997 model year) Cadillac Seville (OnStar) and Lincoln Continental (Motorola RESCU)
First adaptive cruise control - 1997 Toyota Celsior
First night vision - 1999 (for the 2000 model year) Cadillac Deville
First navigation system with voice controls - 2002 Infiniti Q45
First self parking - 2004 Toyota Prius ^[33]
First Blind Spot Intervention System - 2008 (for the 2009 model year) Ford Escape and Taurus
First Synchronized down shift rev-matching system - 2009 Nissan 370Z and Fairlady Z

Passive Restraint

First safety padding - 1936 (for the 1937 model year) Chrysler
First seat belts - 1947 (for the 1948 model year) Tucker
First padded dash - 1947 (for the 1948 model year) Tucker
First rear seat belts - 1954 (for the 1955 model year) Ford
First standard seat belts - 1958 Saab GT 750 ([2] [3])
First shoulder belts - 1959 Volvo PV444/544
First standard shoulder belts - 1959 Volvo 122

Active restraint

First airbags - 1973 (for the 1974 model year) full-size Cadillac, Buick and Oldsmobile
First standard dual airbag - 1986 Mercedes W124
First six-airbag system - 1994 Audi A8
First head airbags - 1997 BMW 7-Series
First side airbags - 1995 Volvo 850

Tires

First use of pneumatic tires - 1895 Peugeot L'Eclair (Michelin)
First standard pneumatic tires - 1896 Bollée Voiturette
First radial-ply tires - 1949 Michelin "X" (patented in 1946)
First self-repairing tires - 1950 Goodyear
First run flat tire - 1974 Mini 1275GT (Dunlop Denovo; optional)

Lighting

First electrical lighting - 1898 Columbia electric
First standard lights - 1904 "Prest-O-Lite" acetylene
First standard electrical lights - 1908 Peerless
First integrated electrical and lighting system - 1912 Cadillac Model 1912 Delco
First "dipping" headlamps - 1915 Guide Lamp Company
First original-equipment (OEM) "dipping" headlamps - 1917 Cadillac
First dual-beam headlamp - 1924 Bilux
First directional headlamps - 1934 Tatra 77
First hidden headlamps - 1935 (for the 1936 model year) Cord 810^[34] (hand cranked from dash)
First flush mounted taillights with the body - 1935 (for the 1936 model year) Cord 810
First fog lights - 1937 (for the 1938 model year) Cadillac
First power hidden headlamps - 1938 Buick Y-Job
First production power hidden headlamps - 1941 (for the 1942 model year) Desoto (standard)
First auto-dimming headlamps - 1951 (for the 1952 model year) Cadillac (Autronic Eye)
First auto-on/off headlamps - 1963 (for the 1964 model year) Cadillac
First headlamp wipers - 1970 Saab (95, 96, 99) ^[35]
First AC HID lights - 1991 BMW 7-series
First neon lights - 1994 (for the 1995 model year) Ford Explorer
First DC HID lights - 1996 (for the 1997 model year) Lincoln Mark VIII
First all-LED tail lights - 1998 Maserati 3200 GT
First bi-xenon HID headlamps - 1998 Audi A8 ^[36]
First low beam, front position light and sidemarker LED headlights - 2008 Lexus LS600h
First all-LED headlamps - 2008 Audi R8

Electrical system

First magneto - 1897 Lanchester Motor Company^[37]
First electric self-starter - Arnold (copy of the Benz Velo) before 1900.^[38]
First power door locks - 1914 Scripps-Booth
First twin-spark engine - 1921 Bentley 3 Litre
First electric power windows - 1938 Buick Y-Job (see "Other" for nonelectric production power windows)
First electric power seat - 1947 (for the 1948 model year) Cadillac, Buick and Oldsmobile
First combination key and ignition switch - 1948 (for the 1949 model year) Chrysler
First 12 volt system - 1952 (for the 1953 model year) Cadillac and Chrysler Crown Imperial
First alternator - 1959 (for the 1960 model year) Plymouth Valiant
First sealed battery - 1970 (for the 1969 model year) Pontiac "Freedom Battery"
First multiplexed wiring - 1986 (for the 1987 model year) Cadillac Allanté
First integrated car systems control - 1987 Toyota Soarer (Electro Multi Vision)^[39]

Climate control

First exhaust system heat - 1917 (???)
First cooling system heat - 1926 (???) (Cadillac also lists heat as an option for $32 in the 1926 model year although it is not clear what the source is)
First automobile air conditioning - 1939 (for the 1940 model year) Packard
First automatic climate control - 1963 (for the 1964 model year) Cadillac
First heated seats - 1965 (for the 1966 model year) Cadillac
First digital climate control - 1975 Rolls-Royce Camargue
First ventilated seats - 1998 Saab 9-5

In-car entertainment

First radio - May 1922 Ford Model T (fitted to the passenger door by 18 year old George Frost, president of the Lane High School Radio Club in Chicago)^[40]
First radio installed by a corporation - November 1922 Daimler (installed in a limousine by the Marconi-phone company)^[40]
First aftermarket radio - 1923 Springfield Body Corporation
First original-equipment (OEM) radio - 1929 (for the 1930 model year) Cadillac and LaSalle
First in-car phonograph - 1955 (for the 1956 model year) Chrysler (optional on all makes)
First FM radio - 1958 (for the 1959 model year) Lincoln
First stereo - 1964 (for the 1965 model year) full-size Chevrolet
First 8-track tape - 1965 (for the 1966 model year) Lincoln and Ford Thunderbird and Mustang
First compact cassette - 1977 (for the 1978 model year) Cadillac and Buick (except Skyhawk)
First steering wheel mounted audio controls - 1984 Nissan 300ZX AE
First Compact Disc - 1986 (for the 1987 model year) Lincoln Town Car
First active audio volume control - 1989 (for the 1990 model year) Chevrolet Corvette Bose/Delco Gold Series
First front auxiliary input (for iPod/MP3 devices) (OEM systems) - 1991 Mitsubishi 3000GT and Galant VR-4
First Bluetooth-capable audio system - 1999 (for the 2000 model year) Chrysler
First MP3-capable audio system - 2001 Mazda Protegé MP3
First active noise cancellation - 2005 Acura RL

Other

First power windows 1939 (for the 1940 model year) Packard 180 (hydro-electric)
First split folding rear seats - 1959 Auto Union (all makes)
First composite wheels - 1970 Citroën SM
First production car to achieve 200 mph (320 km/h) 1987 Ferrari F40
First standard composite wheels - 1989 Shelby CSX
First active exhaust - 1991 Mitsubishi 3000GT

Pre-War

Best-selling pre-war vehicle - Ford Model-T (15,000,000 sold between 1908 and 1928)
Least-expensive - US$125 ($1,638 in 2012) – 1922 Briggs & Stratton Flyer
Least-expensive full-featured automobile - US$300 ($3,723 in 2012) - 1926-27 (for the 1927 model year) Ford Model-T
Fastest pre-war stock production vehicle - Cord Automobile - 1937 supercharged 812 Beverly sedan 173 km/h (107.66 mph) - September 1937 at the Bonneville Salt Flats
Fastest pre-war vehicle - Railton Mobil Special - 2-SC Napier Lion V-12 - 595 km/h (369.740 mph) - Driver John Cobb on August,23 1939 at the Bonneville Salt Flats
Longest pre-war production - 6,096 mm (240.0 in) - 1933-35 (for the 1934-35 model years) Cadillac V-16
Longest pre-war limited production - 6,400 mm (252.0 in) 1927-33 Bugatti Royale
Longest pre-war production wheelbase - 3,912 mm (154.0 in) - 1933-37 (for the 1934-37 model years) Cadillac V-16
Longest pre-war limited production wheelbase - 4,572 mm (180.0 in) 1927 Bugatti Royale
Widest pre-war - 2,100 mm (82.7 in) 1938-43 Mercedes-Benz 770 W150 (armoured)
Widest pre-war Front Track - 1,626 mm (64.0 in) - 1938-43 Mercedes-Benz 770 W150
Widest pre-war Rear Track - 1,676 mm (66.0 in) - 1938-43 Mercedes-Benz 770 W150
Heaviest pre-war Curb Weight - 4,800 kg (10,582 lb) - 1938-43 Mercedes-Benz 770 W150 (armoured)
Largest pre-war limited production car inline-four engine 28.3 L (1,727 cu in) 1911 Fiat S76 two-seat racer
Largest pre-war Straight-6 - 21,112 cc (1,288 cu in) - 1905 Panhard et Levassor 50 CV
Largest pre-war limited production Straight-8 - 14,726 cc (899 cu in) - 1927 Bugatti Royale
Largest pre-war V8 - 14,700 cc (897 cu in) - 1910-12 De Dion-Bouton
Largest pre-war V12 - 11,310 cc (690 cu in) - 1935-38 Hispano-Suiza J12
Largest pre-war V16 - 8,048 cc (491 cu in) - 1930-33 (for the 1931-33 model years) Marmon Series 16

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