List of automotive superlatives

Length

• Longest
  • Car
    • Current production car – 6,499 mm (255.9 in) – 2016 Mercedes-Maybach Pullman
    • Production car – 6,499 mm (255.9 in) – 2016 Mercedes-Maybach Pullman
    • Production station wagon – 5,888 mm (231.8 in) 1974–1976 (for the 1975–76 model years) Buick Estate
  • Truck
    • Pickup truck – 6,680 mm (263.0 in) – Ford F-250/F-350 crew cab long bed
  • SUV
    • Current SUV – 5,700 mm (224.4 in) – 2015 Chevrolet Suburban
    • SUV – 5,758 mm (226.7 in) – Ford Excursion
  • Van – 7,628 mm (300.3 in) Iveco Daily
• Shortest
  • Current production car – 1,371 mm (54.0 in) – 2011 Peel P50^[1]
  • Production car – 1,340 mm (52.8 in) – 1962–1965 Peel P50

Width (without mirrors)

• Widest
  • Car
    • Current production car – 2,038 mm (80.2 in) – Bugatti Chiron
    • Production car – 2,105 mm (82.9 in) – 1953–54 (for the 1954 model year) Chrysler Crown Imperial
    • Production convertible – 2,096 mm (82.5 in) – 2004 Maserati MC12
    • Production station wagon – 2,070 mm (81.5 in) – 1959–60 (for the 1960 model year) Mercury Colony Park/Commuter, and Ford Country Squire/Country Sedan/Ranch Wagon
    • Limited production convertible – 2,100 mm (82.7 in) (armoured) – 1938–1943 Mercedes-Benz 770 W150^[2]
  • Pickup truck – 2,438 mm (96.0 in) – Dodge Ram 3500 inc. mirrors DRW
  • SUV
    • SUV – 2,197 mm (86.5 in) – 1991–2006 (for the 1992–2006 model years) Hummer H1
  • Van
    • Current van – 2,126 mm (83.7 in) Ford Transit
    • Van – 2,240 mm (88.2 in) Mercedes-Benz Vario
• Narrowest
  • Current production car – 1,475 mm (58.1 in) – Daihatsu Move, Honda Life, Mazda Carol, Mitsubishi i, Suzuki Alto along with other kei cars
  • Production car – 990 mm (39.0 in) – 1962–1965 Peel P50

Height

• Tallest
  • Car
    • Current production car – 1,656 mm (65.2 in) – Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII (extended wheelbase)
    • Production car – 2,550 mm (100.4 in) – 1904-1909 Fiat 60 HP
  • Pickup Truck – 2,956 mm (116.4 in) – Brabus Unimog U500 Black Edition
  • SUV
    • Current SUV – 1,989 mm (78.3 in) – Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator
    • SUV – 2,042 mm (80.4 in) – Ford Excursion
  • Van – 3,055 mm (120.3 in) Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
• Lowest
  • Current production car – 1,015 mm (40.0 in) – Caterham 7 CSR
  • Production car – 810 mm (31.9 in) – 1956–1958 Lotus Eleven
  • Limited production car – 736.6 mm (29.0 in) – 1969 Probe 15^[3]

Wheelbase

• Longest
  • Car
    • Current production car – 4,418 mm (173.9 in) – 2016 Mercedes-Maybach Pullman
    • Production car – 4,418 mm (173.9 in) – 2016 Mercedes-Maybach Pullman
    • Production convertible – 3,912 mm (154.0 in) (29 produced) – 1933–1937 (for the 1934–1937 model years) Cadillac V-16
    • Production coupe – 3,912 mm (154.0 in) (20 produced) – 1933–1937 (for the 1934–1937 model years) Cadillac V-16
    • Production station wagon – 3,340 mm (131.5 in) – 1950–51 (for the 1951 model year) Chrysler New Yorker Town and Country
    • Limited production car – 4,572 mm (180.0 in) – 1927 Bugatti Royale Prototype
    • Limited production coupe – 4,300 mm (169.3 in) – 1931 Bugatti Royale Kellner
    • Limited production sedan – 4,300 mm (169.3 in) – 1929–1933 Bugatti Royale
  • Pickup Truck – 4,379 mm (172.4 in) – Ford F-250/F-350 crew cab long bed
  • SUV
    • Current SUV – 3,327 mm (131.0 in) – Ford Expedition EL and Lincoln Navigator L
    • SUV – 3,482 mm (137.1 in) – Ford Excursion
  • Van – 4,332 mm (170.6 in) Nissan NV400, Opel/Vauxhall Movano and Renault Master
• Shortest
  • Current production car – 1,867 mm (73.5 in) – Smart Fortwo
  • Production car – 1,270 mm (50.0 in) – 1962–1965 Peel P50

Track

• Widest front
  • Car
    • Production car – 1,720 mm (67.7 in) – 2011 Lamborghini Aventador
    • Production station wagon – 1,628 mm (64.1 in) – 1968–1978 (for the 1969–1978 model years) Mercury Colony Park/Marquis/Monterey
  • Pickup truck – 1,879 mm (74.0 in) – Ford F-150 SVT Raptor
  • SUV
    • Current SUV – 1,745 mm (68.7 in) – Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon
    • SUV – 1,819 mm (71.6 in) – 1991–2006 (for the 1992–2006 model years) Hummer H1
  • Van – 1,786 mm (70.3 in) Ford E-150 regular wagon
• Widest rear
  • Car
    • Production car – 1,722 mm (67.8 in) BMW i8
    • Production convertible – 1,700 mm (66.9 in) – Lamborghini Aventador
    • Production station wagon – 1,633 mm (64.3 in) – 1968–1978 (1969–1978 model years) Mercury Colony Park/Marquis/Monterey and Ford Country Squire/Country Sedan/Ranch Wagon
  • Pickup truck – 1,925 mm (75.8 in) – Dodge Ram 3500 DRW
  • SUV
    • Current SUV – 1,744 mm (68.7 in) – Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon
    • SUV – 1,819 mm (71.6 in) – 1991–2006 (for the 1992–2006 model years) Hummer H1
  • Van – 1,915 mm (75.4 in) Ford E-350 super duty dual rear wheels
• Narrowest front – 990 mm (39.0 in) – 1962–1965 Peel P50
• Narrowest rear – 521 mm (20.5 in) – 1953–1961 Isetta

Curb weight

• Heaviest
  • Car
    • Production car – 5,100 kg (11,244 lb) – 2017 Mercedes-Maybach S600 Pullman Guard^[4]
    • Production convertible – 2,721.5–2,857.5 kg (6,000–6,300 lb) (29 produced) – 1933–1937 (for the 1934–1937 model years) Cadillac V-16
    • Production coupe – 2,721.5 kg (6,000 lb) (20 produced) – 1933–1937 (for the 1934–1937 model years) Cadillac V-16
    • Production station wagon – 2,449.5 kg (5,400 lb) – 1973–74 (for the 1974 model year) Buick Estate and Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser (with third seat and woodgrain)
    • Limited production convertible – 4,400 kg (9,700 lb) (armoured) – 1938–1943 Mercedes-Benz 770 W150^[2]
    • Limited production coupe – 3,175 kg (7,000 lb) – 1931 Bugatti Royale Kellner
  • Pickup truck – 6,600 kg (14,551 lb) – International XT
  • SUV
    • Current SUV – 5,900 kg (13,000 lb) – 2008 Conquest Knight XV
    • SUV – 5,900 kg (13,000 lb) – 2008 Conquest Knight XV
  • Van
    • Current van – 3,075 kg (6,779 lb) – Iveco Daily
    • Van – 4,380 kg (9,656 lb) – Mercedes-Benz Vario
• Lightest
  • Current production car – 456 kg (1,005 lb) – Ariel Atom
  • Production car – 59 kg (130 lb) – 1962–1965 Peel P50

Engine displacement

Power

Torque

Acceleration

• Quickest 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) – 2.2 seconds – 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder^[22][23]
• Quickest 0 to 161 km/h (0 to 100 mph) – 4.5 seconds – Bugatti Veyron Super Sport^[24]
• Quickest 0 to 200 km/h (0 to 124 mph) – 6.1 seconds – Bugatti Chiron
• Quickest 0 to 300 km/h (0 to 186 mph) – 10.9 seconds – Koenigsegg Regera ^[25]
• Quickest 0 to 400 km/h (0 to 249 mph) – 24.0 seconds – Koenigsegg Agera RS^[26]

Top speed

• Highest top speed: Koenigsegg Agera RS – 447.2 km/h (277.9 mph)^[27][28]
• Highest top speed (naturally aspirated engine) – 1992–1998 McLaren F1 – 391.23 km/h (243 mph)
• Highest top speed (forced induction diesel engine) – BMW Alpina D5 S – 286 km/h (178 mph)

Highest rpm redline

• Internal combustion production car – Ariel Atom 500 10,500 rpm^[29]
• Electric production vehicle – Tesla Roadster (2008–2012) 14,000 rpm

Industry

• First fully functioning automobile – 1885 Benz Patent-Motorwagen
• First production automobile – 1888 Benz Patent-Motorwagen
• First automotive proving ground – 1915 Dodge Brothers Test Track, Hamtramck, Michigan
• First auto company technical institute – 1919 General Motors Institute (now Kettering University)

Engine types

• Straight engines
  • First straight-six engine – 1903 Napier
  • First production straight-eight engine – 1918 Isotta Fraschini^[32]
• V engines
  • First production V4 engine – 1922 Lancia Lambda
  • First production V6 engine – 1950 Lancia Aurelia
  • First V8 engine – 1904 Marmon
  • First production V8 engine – 1910 De Dion-Bouton CJ^[33]
  • First production Air cooled V8 Engine – 1934 Tatra 77
  • First V16 engine – 1929 Maserati Tipo V4^[34]
  • First production V16 engine – 1930 Cadillac V-16
• Flat engines
  • First flat-four engine – 1900 Benz 20 hp racing car
  • First production flat-four engine – 1901 Wilson-Pilcher
  • First flat-six engine – 1904 Wilson-Pilcher
  • First production flat-six engine – 1948 Tucker 48
  • First flat-twelve engine – 1964 Honda RA271 Formula One
  • First production flat-twelve engine – 1973 – Ferrari 365 GT4 BB
• W engines
  • First production W engine – 2001 Volkswagen Passat W8
  • First production W12 engine – 2001 Audi A8 W12
  • First production W16 engine – 2005 – Bugatti Veyron

Engine technologies

Engine configuration & other miscellaneous fundamental construction details

• First engine with removable cylinder head – 1889 Bernardi^[35][36]
• First square engine – 1900 Georges Richard 3 1/2HP^[37]
• First variable displacement engine – 1905 Sturtevant 38/45 six
• First counterbalanced crankshaft – 1908 Mercer Type 35
• First aluminum engine block – 1922 Lancia Lambda
• 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 aluminum cylinder head – 1928 Fiat^[38]
• First diesel engined production car – 1935 Citroen Rosalie
• First gas turbine car – 1950 Rover
• First Miller cycle engine – 1996 Mazda Millenia
• First Atkinson cycle engine – 1997 Toyota Prius
• First Hydrogen vehicle – BMW Hydrogen 7 (Germany)

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 valve (OHV) engine – 1889 Bernardi^[35][36]
• First overhead camshaft (OHC) engine – 1903 Marr Auto Car^[39]
• First sleeve valve – 1909 Daimler (developed functional system from 1903 Knight Engine design)^[40]
• First double overhead camshaft (DOHC) engine – 1913 Peugeot ^[41]

Multi-valve engines

• First limited production 3-valve engine – 1912 Bugatti Type 18
• First limited production 4-valve engine – 1913 Peugeot Grand Prix
• First limited production 5-valve engine – 1921 Peugeot Grand Prix
• First production 3-valve engine – 1924 Bugatti Type 35
• First production 4-valve engine – 1971 Ford Escort Mk1 RS1600
• First multi-valve turbocharged engine – 1980 Maserati Biturbo (AM452)
• First 6-valve engine – 1985 Maserati Biturbo 2.0 L V6 36v 261 hp (prototype)^[42]
• 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 Variable Valve Timing (VVT) engine – 1980 Alfa Romeo Spider 2.0 L^[43]
• First electronic VVT – 1987 Nissan Gloria/Nissan Cedric VG20DET 3.0 L DOHC V6
• 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 twin-supercharged car – 1935 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900
• 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 – 1961 (for the 1962 model year) Oldsmobile F-85 (Turbo Jetfire)^[44]
• First twincharged car – 1985 Lancia Delta S4 Stradale
• First variable-geometry turbocharger – 1988 Honda Legend Wing Turbo^[45]
• First variable-geometry turbocharger (diesel) – 1991 Fiat Croma^[46]
• First twin-turbocharged car – 1981 Maserati Biturbo
• First triple-turbocharged car – 2012 BMW M550d xDrive
• First quad-turbocharged car – 1991 Bugatti EB110

Fuel systems

• First carburetor – 1889 Bernardi^[36]
• First carburetor air filter – 1889 Bernardi^[36]
• 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)^[47]
• First limited production EFI – 1957 (for the 1958 model year) Chrysler 300D, DeSoto Adventurer, Dodge D-500 and Plymouth Fury^[47]
• First production EFI – 1968 Volkswagen Type 3 and Type 4
• First diesel direct injection engine – 1987 Fiat Croma Turbo D i.d.^[48]
• First turbocharged diesel direct injection engine – 1987 Fiat Croma Turbo D i.d.^[48]
• 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^[49]
• First turbocharged gasoline direct injection engine – 2000 Mitsubishi Pajero IO 4G93

Ignition systems

• First contact breaker point ignition – 1910 Cadillac Model Thirty / Delco
• First optional electronic ignition – 1963 General Motors / Delco
• First standard electronic ignition – 1968 Fiat Dino 2.0 / Dino 206 GT (Magneti Marelli Dinoplex)^[50]
• 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
• First flex-fuel vehicle (bioethanol and gasoline)– 1908 Ford Model T

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
• First 4-fuel hybrid – 2010 Monte Carlo Automobile Quadrifuel (powered with bio-ethanol, hydromethane, gasoline and LPG)^[51][52]

Plug-in electric vehicles

• First all-electric car with lithium-ion battery – 1998 Nissan Altra
• First series production plug-in hybrid – 2009 BYD F3DM
• First series production all-electric car available in global markets – 2011 Nissan Leaf
• First series production plug-in hybrid car available in global markets – 2011 Chevrolet Volt/Opel Ampera
• First series production all-electric commercial van – 1989 Citroën C15 Electrique
• First series production all-electric long range highway capable car – 2009 Tesla Roadster
• First series production all-electric luxury car – 2012 Tesla Model S
• First series production plug-in SUV – 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
• First series production all-electric SUV – 2016 Tesla Model X

Body

• First tricar – 1885 Benz Patent Motorwagen^[53]
• 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^[54]
• First aerodynamic design – 1914 A.L.F.A. 40/60 HP Aerodinamica
• First production aerodynamic design – 1921 Rumpler Tropfenwagen
• First monocoque – 1922 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 production retractable hardtop roof – 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner
• 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 – 1946 Chenard et Walcker CHV
• 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 4-door hardtop – 1955 (middle of the model year) Buick Century Riviera and Special Riviera and Oldsmobile 98 Holiday and 88 Holiday
• First hardtop station wagon – 1955 (for the 1956 model year) Rambler Six and V8
• First production fiberglass monocoque – 1956 Berkeley SA322
• First Mini MPV – 1956 Fiat 600 Multipla
• First fiberglass bodied convertible – 1952 (for the 1953 model year) Chevrolet Corvette
• First fiberglass bodied 4-door Sedan – 1970 Anadol A2
• First fiberglass bodied Station wagon / Estate car – 1973 Anadol SV-1600
• First factory clear-coat paint job – 1977 Lincoln Versailles ^[55]
• First electric boot spoiler – 1986 Lancia Thema 8.32
• 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 Crossover – 2002 Renault Avantime
• 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 Reverse – 1902 FIAT 8/16 HP
  • First synchronized transmission – 1924 Isotta Fraschini 8A^[56]
  • First overdrive – 1933 (for the 1934 model year) Chrysler Airflow
  • First modern cone synchromesh transmission – 1952 Porsche 356
  • First 3-speed manual – 1894 Bernardi 3.5 HP^[35]
  • First 4-speed manual – 1901 Ceirano 5 HP^[57]
  • First 5-speed manual – 1948 Lancia Ardea Mk3
  • First 6-speed manual – 1967 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale
  • First 7-speed manual – 2011 Porsche 991
  • First 8-speed manual – 1931 Maybach DS8^[58]
• Automatic transmissions
  • First automatic transmission – 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 2-speed automatic – 1947 GM Dynaflow 1948 model year Buick Roadmaster
  • First 3-speed automatic – 1950 Borg Warner Automatic Drive Studebaker Land Cruiser
  • First 4-speed automatic – 1939 Oldsmobile (Hydra-Matic, also the first automatic)
  • First 5-speed automatic – 1989 Nissan Cedric, Nissan Cefiro, Nissan Gloria, Nissan Skyline, Nissan Laurel, (RE5R01A, Jatco/Nissan transmission)^[59]
  • First 6-speed automatic – 2001 BMW 7 Series (E65) (ZF 6HP26)
  • First 7-speed automatic – 2003 Mercedes-Benz (7G-Tronic)
  • First 8-speed automatic – 2006 Lexus LS 460
  • First 9-speed automatic – 2013 Range Rover Evoque
  • First 10-speed automatic – 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and Ford F-150
• First self-locking differential – 1939 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Super Sport^[60]
• 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 (CVT) – 1958 DAF 600 "A-Type"
• First electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (ECVT) – 1987 Subaru Justy ECVT
• 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)^[61]

Layout

• First rear-engined car – 1886 Benz Patent Motorwagen
• First front-engine rear-wheel-drive car – 1895 Panhard et Levassor
• First front-engined transaxle car – 1898 De Dion-Bouton
• First four-wheel drive car – 1910 Caldwell Vale
• First mid-engined car – 1921 Rumpler Tropfenwagen
• First front-wheel drive car – 1924 Tracta (Gregoire-Tracta)
• First mass-produced transverse front-wheel drive car – 1931 DKW F1^[62]
• First transverse front-wheel drive I6 car – 1970 Austin Kimberley and Austin Tasman
• First mass-produced four-wheel drive car – 1972 Subaru Leone 4WD Station Wagon
• First and only production vehicles manufactured to a four-seater, rear mid-engined, full-convertible design - 1982 Ferrari Mondial
• First transverse four-wheel drive car – 1983 Fiat Panda 4x4
• First mid-engined four-wheel drive car – 1983 Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 (homologation special, 200 road cars produced for Group B regulations.)
• First transverse front-wheel drive I5 car – 1991 Volvo 850^[63]

Suspension

• First front independent suspension – 1898 Decauville
• First torsion bar suspension – 1921 Leyland
• First hydraulic shock absorbers – 1922 Lancia Lambda
• First coil spring / shock absorber suspension – 1922 Lancia Lambda
• First fully independent suspension – 1931 Alfa Romeo 8C
• First air suspension – 1946 Stout Scarab Experimental
• First MacPherson strut suspension – 1949 Ford Vedette
• First self-levelling suspension – 1954 Citroën Traction Avant 15/6 "H"
• First anti-roll bars – 1955 Citroën DS (front and rear)
• First self-levelling suspension on all four wheels – 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 semi-active suspension – 1983 Toyota Soarer (Japan-market model Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension^[64]) and Mitsubishi Galant (Electronic Steering Chassis)
• First active air suspension – 1987 Mitsubishi Galant active ECS
• First fully active suspension without anti-roll bars: 1989 on Toyota Celica: Toyota Active Control Suspension^[64]
• First semi-active hydraulic suspension – 1990 Citroën XM (Hydractive)
• First semi-active suspension scanning the road ahead (sonar) – 1990 Nissan Leopard/Nissan Cedric/Nissan Maxima/Nissan J30 DUET-SS Super Sonic Suspension
• First active anti-roll bars – 1994 Citroën Xantia Activa (Systeme Citroën de Contrôle Actif du Roulis)
• First active suspension optically scanning the road ahead – 2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W222) (MAGIC BODY CONTROL with ROAD SURFACE SCAN)^[65]

Brakes

• First four-wheel brakes – 1910 Isotta Fraschini^[32]
• First power brakes – 1919 Hispano-Suiza H6 (mechanically assisted and 4-wheel^[66])
• First hydraulic power brakes – 1921 Duesenberg Model A^[67] (4-wheel)
• First vacuum-assist power brakes – 1927 (for the 1928 model year) Pierce-Arrow
• First Inboard drum brakes – 1937 Lancia Aprilia
• First disc brakes – 1948 (for the 1949 model year) Chrysler Crown Imperial (4-wheel and standard)
• First inboard disc brakes – 1955 Citroën DS19
• 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 – 1996 GM EV1
• First electro-hydraulic brakes – 2001 Toyota Prius
• First electric parking brake – 2002 BMW E65/E66

Driver aids

• First steering wheel – 1894 Panhard
• 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^[68]
• First adjustable steering column – 1913 Lancia Theta
• First dash-mounted fuel gauge – 1914 Studebaker
• First power windscreen wiper – 1916 Willys-Knight
• First turn signals – 1919 Phianna
• First electric windscreen wiper – 1922 William M. Folberth (inventor)
• 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 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 trip computer – 1958 Saab GT750
• 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 electronic trip computer – 1978 (in middle of model year) Cadillac Seville^[69]
• First navigation system – August 1981 Honda Accord (analog, dealer-installed)^[70]
• First Rain-Sensing Windshield Wipers – 1984 Nissan 200SX and Silvia
• First CRT display – 1984 Aston Martin Lagonda computer controlled instrument cluster
• First electronic four-wheel steering – 1985 Nissan Skyline HICAS
• First heads-up display – 1987 (for the 1988 model year) Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
• First drive-by-wire throttle – 1988 BMW 750iL
• First mechanical four-wheel steering – 1988 Honda Prelude 4WS
• First electrochromic rear-view mirror – 1989 Lexus LS
• First digital navigation system – 1990 Acura Legend
• First original equipment GPS navigation – 1990 Mazda Eunos Cosmo Type-E CCS^[71]
• First Backup camera – 1991 Toyota Soarer Limited (Japan Only)
• First dynamic stability control system/Electronic Stability Programme/Vehicle Stability Control – 1995 BMW 7 Series (E38)-(DSC III), Mercedes-Benz S 600 Coupé-(ESP),^[72] and Toyota Crown Majesta-(VSC)^[64]
• First adaptive cruise control – 1995 (for 1996 model year) Mitsubishi Diamante (like the later Toyota Celsior system, this LIDAR did not apply brakes, only throttle&shifting)^[73]
• First telematics assist system – 1996 (for the 1997 model year) Cadillac Seville (OnStar) and Lincoln Continental (Motorola RESCU)
• First backup sensors – 1999 Ford Windstar and Ford Explorer
• First night vision – 1999 (for the 2000 model year) Cadillac Deville
• First navigation system with voice controls – 2002 Infiniti Q45
• First Backup camera in North American market – 2002 Infiniti Q45
• First radar Collision avoidance system – 2003 Toyota Harrier-Pre-Collision System PCS^[74]
• First self parking – 2004 Toyota Prius^[75]
• First Blind Spot Intervention System – 2005 Volvo S80
• First Around View Monitor (AVM) – 2007 Infiniti EX35
• First Driver drowsiness detection – 2007 on the Volvo S80-Driver Alert Control^[76]
• First driver eyelid monitoring system – 2008 on the Toyota Crown-Driver Monitoring System^[74][77]
• First Synchronized down shift rev-matching system – 2009 Nissan 370Z and Fairlady Z
• First active pedestrian avoidance with steering correction – 2013 on Lexus LS (XF40) (Japan only)^[78][79]

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 ( )
• 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 (Air Cushion Restraint System)
• First standard dual frontal airbags – 1987 Porsche 944
• First rear-seat frontal airbag – 1993 Nissan President
• First side torso airbags – 1994^[80] (for the 1995 model year) Volvo 850^[81]
• First knee airbag – 1996 Kia Sportage^[82]
• First six-airbag system – 1997 Audi A8: 1 side airbag in every door + 2 front airbags.
• First side head airbags – 1997 BMW 7 Series (E38)
• First rear window curtain airbag – 2008 Toyota iQ^[83]
• First rear seat centre airbag – 2009 Toyota
• First seatbelt airbags – 2010 Lexus LFA
• First front center airbag – 2013 Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia

Tires

• First use of pneumatic tires – 1895 Peugeot L'Eclair (Michelin)
• First standard pneumatic tires – 1896 Bollée Voiturette
• First radial-ply tires – 1946 Michelin "X" (Optional fitment on 1949 Peugeots, Citroën 11CV and Simca 8, standard on the 1950 Lancia Aurelia)^[84]
• First self-repairing tires – 1950 Goodyear
• First run flat tire – 1974 Mini 1275GT (Dunlop Denovo; optional)

Lighting

• First electrical lighting – 1898 Columbia electric
• First bright headlamps – 1899 Bleirot carbide generator
• 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 stop or brake lights – 1919 Phianna
• First dual-beam headlamp – 1924 Bilux
• First directional headlamps – 1934 Tatra 77
• First hidden headlamps – 1935 (for the 1936 model year) Cord 810^[85] (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 and Oldsmobile (Autronic Eye)
• First auto-on/off headlamps – 1959 (for the 1960 model year) Buick (Twilight Sentinel)
• First headlamp wipers – 1970 Saab (95, 96, 99)^[86]
• First AC HID (lowbeam only) lights – 1991 BMW 7 Series (E32)
• 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 lowbeam/highbeam HID headlamps (Bi-Xenon) – 1999 on Mercedes-Benz CL-Class^[87]
• First all-LED headlamps – 2007 Audi R8^[88]
• First low beam, front position light and sidemarker LED headlights – 2008 Lexus LS600h
• First continuously adaptive highbeam (HID) – 2009 on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W212)^[89]
• First headlamps with pedestrian highlighting/warning – in 2011 on Mercedes-Benz CL-Class (C216)^[90]
• First full-LED car + tail lights with automatic variable intensity control – 2013 on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W222)^[91]
• First laser headlights – 2014 Audi R8 LMX^[92]

Electrical system

• First magneto – 1897 Lanchester Motor Company^[93]
• First electric self-starter – Arnold (copy of the Benz Velo) before 1900.^[94]
• First power door locks – 1914 Scripps-Booth
• First twin-spark engine – 1914 Alfa Romeo Grand Prix
• First electric power windows – 1938 Buick Y-Job (see "Other" for nonelectric production power windows)
• First combination key and ignition switch – 1948 (for the 1949 model year) Chrysler
• First 12 volt system – 1948 Lancia Ardea mk3
• First alternator – 1959 (for the 1960 model year) Plymouth Valiant
• First sealed battery – 1969 (for the 1970 model year) Pontiac "Freedom Battery"
• First multiplexing wiring – 1986 (for the 1987 model year) Cadillac Allanté & Chrysler C-Body [1988]
• First integrated car systems control – 1987 Toyota Soarer (Electro Multi Vision)^[95]

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 electronically heated windshield – 1985 Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable
• First ventilated seats – 1998 Saab 9-5
• First cooled seats – 2000 Lincoln Navigator
• First heated steering wheel – 2001 Audi A6 and BMW 7-Series

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)^[96]
• First radio installed by a corporation – November 1922 Daimler (installed in a limousine by the Marconi-phone company)^[96]
• 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 portable devices) (OEM systems) – 1991 Mitsubishi 3000GT and Galant VR-4
• First VCR – 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette
• First Bluetooth-capable audio system – 2003 Saab 9-3^[97]
• First MP3-capable audio system – 2001 Mazda Protegé MP3
• First karaoke – 2003 Geely BL
• First 5.1 surround sound – 2004 Acura TL
• First active noise cancellation – 2005 Acura RL

Other

• First anti-theft device – 1930 Ansaldo Tipo 22^[98]
• First power windows – 1939 (for the 1940 model year) Packard 180 (hydro-electric)
• First power seat – 1947 (for the 1948 model year) Cadillac, Buick and Oldsmobile (hydraulic)
• First split folding rear seats – 1959 Auto Union (all makes)
• First composite wheels – 1970 Citroën SM
• First production car to achieve 200 mph (322 km/h) – 1987 Ruf CTR in April 1987^[99]
• First standard composite wheels – 1989 Shelby CSX
• First active exhaust – 1991 Mitsubishi 3000GT