List of automotive superlatives

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:

1. 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);
2. 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;
3. 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

• Longest
  • Current production car - 6,165 mm (242.7 in) - 2010 Maybach 62
  • Production car - 6,405 mm (252.2 in) - 1974-76 Cadillac Fleetwood Seventy-Five Limousine
  • Pickup Truck - 6,650 mm (261.8 in) - 2010 Ford F-350 Super Duty Crew Cab Long Bed
  • Commercial - 7,345 mm (289.2 in) - Mercedes-Benz Sprinter LWB / Volkswagen Crafter LWB
• Widest
  • Current production car - 1,998 mm (78.7 in) - 2010 Bugatti Veyron
  • Production car - 2,075 mm (81.7 in) (without rearview mirrors) - 1961-63 Imperial
  • Limited production car - 2,101 mm (82.7 in) - 2008 SSC Ultimate Aero
  • Pickup Truck - 2,438 mm (96.0 in) - 2010 Dodge Ram 3500
  • Commercial - 2,474 mm (97.4 in) - 2010 Unimog U5000
• Tallest
  • Current production car - 1,990 mm (78.3 in) - 2012 VW Multivan (LWB)
  • Pickup Truck - 2,057 mm (81.0 in) - 2006 Ford F-350 Super Duty Crew Cab Long Bed
  • SUV - 2,083 mm (82.0 in) - 2003 Hummer H2
  • Commercial - 2,676 mm (105.4 in) - 2010 Unimog U5000
• Shortest
  • Current production car - 2,695 mm (106.1 in) - 2010 Smart Fortwo
  • Production car - 2,500 mm (98.4 in) - 1998 Smart Fortwo
  • Limited production car - 1,340 mm (52.8 in) - 1962 Peel P50 (3 wheels)
• Lowest
  • Current production car - 1,117 mm (44.0 in) - 2010 Lotus Elise
  • Production car - 1,029 mm (40.5 in) - 1964 Ford GT40
  • Limited production car - 736.6 mm (29.0 in) - 1969 Probe 15

Wheelbase

• Longest
  • Production car - 3,893 mm (153.3 in) - 1964 Mercedes-Benz 600 Limousine
  • Pickup Truck - 4,379 mm (172.4 in) - 2005 Ford F-350 Super Duty Crew Cab
  • Commercial - 5,080 mm (200.0 in) - 2005 Ford F-550 Super Duty Chassis Crew Cab
• Shortest
  • Current production car - 1,867 mm (73.5 in) - 2010 Smart Fortwo
  • Production car - 1,500 mm (59.1 in) - 1956 Isetta
  • Limited-production car - 1,270 mm (50.0 in) - 1962 Peel P50

Track

• Widest Front
  • Production car - 1,685 mm (66.3 in) - 2003 Rolls-Royce Phantom (2003)
  • Pickup truck - 1,879 mm (74.0 in) - 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor
  • Commercial - 1,930 mm (76.0 in) - 2010 Dodge Ram 4500 Chassis Cab
• Widest Rear
  • Production car - 1,710 mm (67.3 in) - Jaguar XJ220
  • Pickup truck - 1,925 mm (75.8 in) - 2010 Dodge Ram 3500 Crew Cab Dual Rear Wheels
  • Commercial - 1,927 mm (75.9 in) - 2009 Unimog U4000
• Narrowest Front
  • Limited-production car - 990 mm (39.0 in) - Peel P50
  • Production car - 1,495 mm (58.9 in) - Daewoo Matiz, M100 (1998–2008), M150 (2000–2005), M200 (2005–2007) and M250 (2007–present)
• Narrowest Rear
  • Production car - 521 mm (20.5 in) - Isetta

Weight

• Lightest
  • Current production car - 740 kg (1,631 lb) - 2010 Daihatsu Mira
  • Production car - 406 kg (895 lb) - 1964 Mini Moke
  • Current production racecar - 456 kg (1,005 lb) - 1996 Ariel Atom
  • Limited-production car - 59 kg (130 lb) DIN - 1962 Peel P50 (3 wheels)
• Heaviest Curb Weight
  • Production car - 2,855 kg (6,294 lb) - 2003 Maybach 62
  • SUV - 3,428 kg (7,557 lb) - 2006 Hummer H1 Alpha Wagon
  • Pickup truck - 6,600 kg (14,551 lb) - 2008 International CXT
  • Limited-production car - 4,536 kg (10,000 lb) - 2009 Cadillac Presidential Limousine (estimated)
  • Commercial - 5,350 kg (11,795 lb) - 2009 Unimog U5000 Long Wheelbase

Engines

Engine displacement

Smallest

• 49 cubic centimetres (3.0 cu in) - 1963 Peel P50
  • (100+ produced) - 322 cubic centimetres (19.6 cu in) - 1956 Berkeley SA322

Largest

• 1911 Fiat S76 28.3 L (1,727 in³)
• 1912 Benz 82/200, 21.5 L (1,312 in³) inline-four engine
  • (Currently produced)
    • Bugatti Veyron 8.0 L (488 in³) W16 engine
    • (Crate engine only) - GM Performance ZZ572, 9.4 L (572 in³) V8 engine

Power

Highest power

• Petrol/Gasoline engine (naturally aspirated) - 559 kW (760 PS; 750 hp) - 2011 Aston Martin One-77 7.3L V12 engine
  • Note: Lamborghini Aventador V12 engine - 515 kW (700 PS; 691 hp)
  • Note: Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster (5 built) V12 engine - 506 kW (688 PS; 679 hp)
  • Note: McLaren F1 LM (5 built) V12 engine - 500 kW (680 PS; 671 hp)
• Petrol/Gasoline engine (forced-induction) - 960 kW (1,305 PS; 1,287 hp) SSC Ultimate Aero TT
  • Note: Bugatti Veyron Super Sport (30 to be built as of 2010) W16 quad-turbo engine - 883 kW (1,201 PS; 1,184 hp)

• Diesel engine (forced-induction) - 368 kW (500 PS; 493 bhp), Audi Q7 V12 TDI 6.0 L - 5,934 cc (362.1 cu in) twin-turbo V12 engine
  • Note: 298 kW (405 PS; 400 bhp), Ford Super Duty V8 TDI 6.7 L - turbo V8 engine
  • Note: 296 kW (402 PS; 397 bhp), Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra V8 TDI 6.6 L - 6,599 cc (402.7 cu in) turbo V8 engine
  • Note: 261 kW (355 PS; 350 bhp), Ram Heavy Duty I6 TDI 6.7 L - 6,686 cc (408.0 cu in) turbo I6 engine
• Diesel engine (naturally aspirated) - 138 kW (188 PS; 185 bhp), 1992 Ford F-250 V8 7.3 L - IDI Diesel

• Electric engine - 185 kW (252 PS; 248 bhp), Tesla Roadster

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
  • Note: 93.18 kW (126.7 PS; 125.0 hp) per litre - 2009 Ferrari 458 Italia 419.2 kW (570 PS; 562 hp) 4.499 L
  • Note: 92 kW (125 PS; 123 hp) per litre - 1999 JDM Honda S2000 184 kW (250 PS; 247 hp) Honda F20C engine 1.997 L
• Petrol/Gasoline (forced-induction) piston engine - 151.42 kW (206 PS; 203 hp) per litre - 2009 SSC Aero 960 kW (1,305 PS; 1,287 hp) 6.34 L V8
  • Note: 166.2 kW (226 PS; 223 hp) per litre - 2011 Koenigsegg Agera R 831 kW (1,130 PS; 1,114 hp) 5.0 L V8 running on biofuel
  • Note: 151.15 kW (206 PS; 203 hp) per litre - 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII FQ 400 302 kW (411 PS; 405 hp) 1.998 L I4
• 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
  • Note: 33.24 kW (45.2 PS; 44.6 hp) per litre - 1993 Mercedes E 250 Diesel 83 kW (113 PS; 111 hp) DIN 2.497 L OM605 I5
  • Note: 32.55 kW (44.3 PS; 43.7 hp) per litre - 1996 Mercedes C 200 Diesel 65 kW (88 PS; 87 hp) DIN 1.997 L OM604 I4
• Diesel engine (forced-induction) - 77.52 kW (105.4 PS; 104.0 hp) per litre - 2011 Audi 3.0 L V6 twin-turbo 230 kW (313 PS; 308 hp) DIN
  • Note: 75.19 kW (102.2 PS; 100.8 hp) per litre - 2007 BMW 123d BMW N47 150 kW (204 PS; 201 hp) DIN 1.995 L I4
  • Note: 75.18 kW (102.2 PS; 100.8 hp) per litre - 2009 BMW 740d BMW N57 225 kW (306 PS; 302 hp) DIN 2.993 L I6
• 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 lbf⋅ft), SSC Ultimate Aero TT
  • Note: 1,500 N⋅m (1,106 lbf⋅ft) Bugatti Veyron Super Sport (30 to be built as of 2010) W16 quad-turbo engine
• Petrol engine (naturally aspirated) - 759 N⋅m (560 lbf⋅ft), 2008 Dodge Viper SRT-10
  • Note: 786 N⋅m (580 lbf⋅ft), 1999 Mercedes CLK GTR SS (limited production car)
• Diesel engine - 1,085 N⋅m (800 lbf⋅ft), Tied Dodge Ram Heavy Duty I6 TDI 6.7 L - 6,686 cc (408.0 cu in) turbo I6 engine / Ford Super Duty V8 TDI 6.7 L - turbo V8 engine
  • Note: 1,037 N⋅m (765 lbf⋅ft), Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra V8 TDI 6.6 L - 6,599 cc (402.7 cu in) turbo V8 engine
  • Note: 1,000 N⋅m (738 lbf⋅ft), Audi Q7 V12 TDI 6.0 L - 5,934 cc (362.1 cu in) twin-turbo V12 engine
• Electric engine - 368 N⋅m (271 lbf⋅ft), Chevrolet Volt

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.

• Petrol engine (naturally aspirated) - MEP 15.1 bar, 120.03 N⋅m (89 lbf⋅ft) per litre - Ferrari 458 Italia 540 N⋅m (398 lbf⋅ft)
  • Note: MEP 15.4 bar, 122.9 N⋅m (91 lbf⋅ft) per litre - TVR Cerbera 4.5 Red Rose Lightweight 550 N⋅m (406 lbf⋅ft) TVR Speed Eight engine (limited production car)
• Petrol engine (forced-induction) - MEP 33 bar, 262.76 N⋅m (194 lbf⋅ft) per litre - 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X FQ400 525 N⋅m (387 lbf⋅ft)
• Petrol engine (naturally aspirated pistonless rotary engine) - MEP 21.5 bar, 170.8 N⋅m (126.0 lbf⋅ft) per litre - 2005 Mazda RX-8 222 N⋅m (164 lbf⋅ft)
• Petrol engine (forced-induction pistonless rotary engine) - MEP 30.3 bar, 241.38 N⋅m (178.0 lbf⋅ft) per litre - Mazda RX-7 Turbo 313.8 N⋅m (231 lbf⋅ft)
• Diesel engine (naturally aspirated) - MEP 9.03 bar, 71.88 N⋅m (53 lbf⋅ft) per litre - 1999 Nissan Sunny B15 2.2D 2.184 L 157 N⋅m (116 lbf⋅ft) Nissan YD engine
• Diesel engine (forced-induction) - MEP 29.3 bar, 233 N⋅m (172 lbf⋅ft) per litre - 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 250CDI BlueEfficiency 500 N⋅m (369 lbf⋅ft)

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 mpg_‑imp; 79 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; 9.8 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)

Price

• Most expensive (production) - US$2,500,000 Bugatti Veyron Super Sport
• Most inexpensive - US$125 (equivalent to $2,275 in 2023) – 1922 Briggs & Stratton Flyer

Performance

See also: Fastest production car

Acceleration

• Quickest 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) - 2.3 seconds - 2010 Ariel Atom 500
• Quickest 0 to 161 km/h (0 to 100 mph) - 4.5 seconds - 2010 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 SuperSport
• Quickest 0 to 200 km/h (0 to 124 mph) - 7.4 seconds - Auto Motor und Sport - 2006 Bugatti Veyron 16.4
• Quickest 0 to 300 km/h (0 to 186 mph) - 18.2 seconds - Auto Motor Und Sport - 2006 Bugatti Veyron 16.4
• Quickest 0 to 400 km/h (0 to 249 mph) - 55 seconds - 2006 Bugatti Veyron 16.4

Top speed

• Highest top speed: Bugatti Veyron Super Sport - 431 km/h (268 mph).
• Highest top speed (naturally aspirated): Mclaren F1 - 372 km/h (231 mph)

Highest Redline

• Internal Combustion Production Car: 2010 Ariel Atom 500 10,600 rpm
• Electric Production Vehicle: 2008 Tesla Roadster 14,000 rpm

Sales

See also List of bestselling vehicle nameplates

• 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
  • Best single-month sales - 126,905 - July 2005 Ford F-Series

Firsts

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

Industry

• First automobile manufacturer - Benz (1871), Panhard et Levassor (1889) (followed by Peugeot in 1891)
• First standardized automobile - Benz Velo (1894) or Duryea Motor Wagon (1893)
• First mass-produced automobile - Oldsmobile Curved Dash (1901)
• First auto company technical institute - General Motors Institute (now Kettering University)
• First automotive proving ground - Dodge Brothers Hamtramck, MI Test Track 1915

Engine types

• first V engine
  • 1904 Marmon V8 engine (few produced)
  • first commercially successful V - 1910 de Dion CJ (V8)
• first straight engine
  • 1903 Napier & Son straight-six engine (few produced)

Engine technologies

engine configuration & other miscellaneous fundamental construction details

• first variable displacement engine — 1905 Sturtevant 38/45 six
• first diesel engined production car — 1935 Citroen Rosalie
• first crankcase ventilation — 1926 Cadillac V8 engine
• first flat engine — 1905 Knox
• 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 — 1923 Cadillac V8 engine
• 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)

Wankel engines

• first Wankel engine — 1964 NSU Spider
• first 2-rotor Wankel engine — 1966 NSU Ro 80
• first 3-rotor Wankel engine — 1988 Vaz 513
• first turbocharged Wankel engine — 1982 Mazda Luce / Cosmo
• first front-wheel drive car with Wankel engine — 1966 NSU Ro 80

valvetrain

• first sleeve valve — 1909 Daimler (used Charles Knight 1903 design)
• first overhead camshaft (OHC) engine — 1898 Wilkinson
• first double overhead camshaft (DOHC) engine — 1921 Ballot

multi-valve engines

• first 3-valve engine — 1924 Bugatti Type 35 (Type 18 had a 3-valve in 1912, but only 6 or 7 were made. The Type 35 used the engine from the 1922 Type 29 racing car.)
• first 4-valve engine — 1913 Peugeot Grand Prix
• first 5-valve engine — 1989 Oettinger - Germany 5V, 1989 Mitsubishi Dangan ZZ (Peugeot had a triple overhead cam 5-valve Grand Prix car in 1921).
• first 6-valve engine — 1985 Maserati Biturbo 2.0 L V6 36v 261 hp (prototype)
• first 3-valve diesel engine — 1989 Citroën XM
• first 4-valve diesel engine — 1993 Mercedes-Benz C-Class (OM604 engine)
• first multi-valve turbocharged engine — 1980 Maserati Biturbo AM452

variable valve timing (VVT)

• first VVT engine — 1980 Alfa Romeo Spider 2.0 L
• first electronic VVT — 1987 Nissan 300ZR VG30DE NVCS 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 turbocharged car — 1962 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
• first variable-nozzle turbocharger — 1989 Shelby CSX-VNT / Garrett AiResearch
• first twin-turbocharged car — Porsche 959
• first quad-turbocharged car — Bugatti EB110
• first supercharged and turbocharged car — 1985 Lancia Delta S4 (homologation special, 200 road cars produced for Group B regulations)

fuel systems

• first carburetor — 1896 Daimler
• first carburetor air filter — 1915 Packard Twin Six
• first automatic choke — 1932 Oldsmobile
• first four-barrel carburetor — 1941 Buick

fuel injection (FI)

• first FI engine — 1910 Adams-Farwell Diesel
• first non-diesel FI engine — 1952 Goliath GP 700 / Gutbrod Superior 600
• first gasoline direct injection engine — 1952 Goliath GP 700 / Gotbrud Superior 600
• first automotive application of Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) — Bendix "ElectroJector" - Prototype / Test Mule 1957 Rambler (never officially produced for consumption), followed by Chrysler (et. al.) in 1958. Bosch developed their D-Jetronic FI from Bendix's design.
• first electronic fuel injection — 1968 Bosch D-Jetronic - Volkswagen Type 3/Type 4
• first Diesel direct injection engine — 1986 Fiat Croma Turbo D i.d.
• 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
• first turbocharged gasoline direct injection engine — 2004/09 Audi A3, Audi A4 and VW Golf Mk5 GTI (2.0 TFSI)
• first turbocharged diesel direct injection engine — 1986 Fiat Croma Turbo D i.d.

ignition systems

• first contact breaker point ignition — 1910 Cadillac Model Thirty / Delco
• first electronic ignition — 1960 General Motors / Delco
• first distributor-less ignition — Citroën 2CV?

general miscellany

• first alternator — 1960 Chrysler Corporation, Plymouth Valiant
• first California Ultra Low Emission Vehicle — 1995 Honda Accord
• first California Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle — 2000 Honda Accord 4-Cylinder

Hybrid vehicles

• First gas-electric hybrid - 1899 Lohner–Porsche Mixte (about 300 produced)
• First modern hybrid car - 1904 Auto-Mixte (Belgium)
• First mass-produced hybrid car - 1997 Toyota Prius
• First hybrid bus - 1997 Hino (Japan)
• First all-wheel drive hybrid - 2004 Ford Escape Hybrid
• First hybrid SUV - 2004 Ford Escape Hybrid
• First hybrid luxury car - 2005 Lexus RX 400h (introduced January 2004)
• First mild hybrid pickup truck - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra Hybrid
• First full hybrid pickup truck - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra Hybrid

Body

• First sedan/saloon — 1900 Renault Voiturette
  • See also: 1911 Speedwell Motor Car Company (first automobile to use the term)
• First motorized truck — October 1896 Daimler
• First production closed-body car - 1910 Cadillac Model Thirty
• First monocoque - 1924 Lancia Lambda
• First shatter-resistant windshield glass - 1926 Cadillac
• First coupé convertible - 1934 Peugeot 401 D Eclipse
• First Pickup / Utility vehicle (Ute) - 1934 Ford Coupé utility
• First flush mounted gas door - 1936 Cord
• First fully boxed frame - 2004 Ford F150 (???)
• First safety windshield - 1948 Tucker Torpedo (popout safety glass)
• First fiberglass body - 1952 Woodill Wildfire (low production)
• First fiberglass bodied 4-door Sedan - 1970 Anadol A2
• First fiberglass bodied Station wagon / Estate car - 1973 Anadol SV-1600
• First MPV - 1956 Fiat 600 Multipla
• First minivan - 1950 Volkswagen Type 2 Also called the mini bus.
• First retractable hardtop - 1934 Pourtout Lancia Belna Eclipse-coachbuilt
• First hatchback - 1953 Aston Martin DB2/4
• First fiberglass monocoque - 1956 Berkeley SA322
• First Crossover - 1955 GAZ M72
• First all-aluminium body - 1932 Riley Kestrel
  • 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 aerodynamic design - 1921 Rumpler Tropfenwagen
• First body made of recycled material - 1954 Trabant P70
• First tricar - 1902
• First cyclecar - 1910 GN/1910 Bédélia
• First production station wagon (estate) - 1908 Ford Model T
  • Honorable mention: 1923 Star
• First fully boxed frame [pick-up] - 2004 Ford F150 (???)
• First single-piece carbon fibre monocoque - 2003 Invicta S1

Transmission

• Manual transmissions
  • First synchronized transmission - 1929 Cadillac
  • First overdrive - 1934 Chrysler Airflow
  • First modern cone synchromesh transmission - 1952 Porsche 356
  • First 5-speed manual - 1948 Lancia Ardea
  • First 6-speed manual - 1967 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale
  • First 8-speed manual - 1960 Moskvitch 410/411
• Automatic transmissions
  • First automatic transmission - May 1939 Oldsmobile Hydra-Matic (also the first 4-speed automatic)
  • First torque converter automatic - 1948 Buick 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)
  • 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 - 1956 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 toroidal continuously variable transmission - 1999 Nissan Cedric and Nissan Gloria
• First dual clutch transmission - 2003 Volkswagen Golf Mk4 R32 (Direct-Shift Gearbox)
• First active differential - 1986 Porsche 959 PSK (limited production of 200 vehicles)

Layout

• First FR layout car - 1895 Panhard et Levassor
• First RR layout car - 1896 Hertel
• First front-wheel drive - 1924 Tracta (Gregoire-Tracta)
  • honorable mention: 1928 Alvis FWD
• First transverse front-wheel drive - 1931 DKW F1
  • First transverse front-wheel drive I5 - 1993 Volvo 850
  • First transverse front-wheel drive I6 - 1970 Austin Kimberley and Austin Tasman
  • First transverse all-wheel drive - 1968 Austin Ant (never entered production)
• First four-wheel drive vehicle - 1910 Caldwell Vale or 1911 Four Wheel Drive
  • First four-wheel drive car - 1966 Jensen FF
  • Honorable mention - 1903 Spyker 60 H.P. (race car)
• First FR layout transaxle - 1950 Lancia Aurelia (the 1914 Stutz Bearcat featured a primitive transaxle)
• First MR car - 1921 Rumpler Tropfenwagen
• First MR four-wheel drive car - 1984 Ford RS200 (homologation special, 200 road cars produced for Group B regulations.)

Suspension

• First torsion bar suspension - 1921 Leyland
• First front independent suspension - 1911 Morgan three wheeler
• First hydraulic shock absorbers - 1933 Hudson (Monroe)
• First coil spring / shock absorber suspension - 1934 Cadillac, Chrysler, and Hudson
• First MacPherson strut suspension - 1949 Ford Vedette
• First Chapman strut suspension - 1958 Lotus Elite
• First air suspension - 1958 Cadillac Brougham
• First self-levelling suspension - 1955 Citroën DS
• First electronic adjustable suspension dampers - 1981 Nissan Skyline
• First electronically controlled suspension - 1983 Toyota Soarer (Japan-market model) / 1983 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-Johnson)
• First power brakes - 1919 Hispano-Suiza H6 (mechanically assisted)
• First four wheel power brakes - 1919 Hispano-Suiza H6
• First vacuum-assist power brakes - 1928 Pierce-Arrow
• First hydraulic power brakes - 1921 Duesenberg Model A
• First standard disc brakes - 1949 Crosley Hot Shot
• First antilock braking system - 1966 Jensen FF (Dunlop Maxaret system, previously used in aviation)
  • First electrical antilock braking system - 1969 Lincoln Continental Mark III
  • First electronic antilock braking system - 1971 Nissan President
• First electric parking brake - 2002 BMW E65/E66
• First diagonally split, dual brake circuits - 1962 Saab 95/96
• First asbestos-free brake pads - 1983 Saab Automobile
• First electro-hydraulic brakes - 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class / 2001 Toyota Prius
• First regenerative brakes - 1997 Toyota Prius

Driver-aids

• First standard rear-view mirror - 1912 Marmon
• First power steering - 1951 Imperial
• First cruise control - 1957 Imperial
• First traction control system/anti slip regulation - 1971 Buick LeSabre (MaxTrac)
• First drive-by-wire throttle - 1988 BMW 750iL
• First electrochromic rear-view mirror - 1989 Lexus LS
• First Rain-Sensing Windshield Wipers - 1984 Nissan 200SX/Nissan Silvia
• First dynamic stability control system/Electronic Stability Programme/Vehicle Stability Control - 1995 BMW 7-Series/Mercedes-Benz CL-Class/Toyota Crown Majesta
• First adaptive cruise control - 1997 Toyota Celsior
• First LED display - 1976 Aston Martin Lagonda instrument cluster
• First CRT display - 1984 Aston Martin Lagonda computer controlled instrument cluster
• First heads-up display - 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme/1988 Nissan Silvia
• First factory GPS navigation - 1990 Mazda Cosmo, 1986 GT Limited Toyota Soarer
• First night vision - 2000 Cadillac Deville
• First power door locks - 1914 Scripps-Booth
• First self parking - 2004 Toyota Prius
• First Blind Spot Intervention System - 2009 Ford Escape/Taurus
• First Synchronized down shift rev-matching system - 2009 Nissan 370Z/Nissan Fairlady Z

Passive Restraint

• First car to come standard with safety belts - 1958 Saab GT 750 ([1] [2])

Active restraint

• First airbags - 1974 Oldsmobile Toronado
• First car to come standard with dual airbags - 1988 Porsche 944 Turbo
• First six-airbag system - 1994 Audi A8
• First head airbags - 1997 BMW 7-Series
• First side airbags - 1995 Volvo 850

Tires/Tyres

• 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" headlights - 1915 Guide Lamp Company
• First dual-beam headlight - 1924 Bilux
• First retractable headlights - 1936 Cord
• First flush mounted taillights with the body - 1936 Cord
• First directional headlamps - 1930s Tatra
• First fog lights - 1938 Cadillac
• First auto-dimming headlights - 1952 Cadillac Autronic Eye
• First auto-on/off headlights - 1964 Cadillac Twilight Sentinel
• First headlight wipers - 1970 Saab (95, 96, 99)
• First AC HID lights - 1991 BMW 7-series
• First DC HID lights - 1997 Lincoln Mark VIII
• First neon lights - 1997 Lincoln Mark VIII
• First all-LED tail lights - 1998 Maserati 3200 GT
• First bi-xenon HID headlamps - 1998 Audi A8
• First low beam, front position light and sidemarker LED headlights - 2008 Lexus LS600h
• First all-LED headlights - 2008 Audi R8

Electrical system

• First magneto - 1897 Lanchester
• First twin-spark engine - 1921 Bentley 3 Litre
• First electric self-starter - Arnold (copy of the Benz Velo) before 1900.
• First electric windows - 1938 Buick Y-Job
• First combination key and ignition switch - 1949 Chrysler
• First AC alternator - 1960 Valiant
• First sealed battery - 1971 Pontiac "Freedom Battery"
• First multiplexed wiring - 1987 Cadillac Allanté
• First integrated car systems control - 1987 Toyota Soarer (Electro Multi Vision)
• First 12 volt system - 1949 Chevrolet

Climate control

• First windshield defroster - 1928 Studebaker
• First windshield washer - 1937 Studebaker
• First air conditioning - 1938 Studebaker Commander
• First rear window defogger - 1948 Cadillac
• First heated seats - 1966 Cadillac
• First automatic climate control - 1964 Cadillac
• First digital climate control - 1975 Rolls-Royce Camargue
• First ventilated seats - 1998 Saab 9-5

In-car electronics and entertainment

• First original-equipment radio - 1923 Springfield
• First navigation system - August 1981 Honda Accord (analog, dealer-installed)
  • First navigation system with voice controls - 2002 Infiniti Q45
  • First digital navigation system - 1990 Acura Legend
  • First GPS navigation system - 1990 Mazda Eunos Cosmo
• First active audio volume control - 1990 Chevrolet Corvette Bose/Delco Gold Series
• First telematics assist system - 1996 tie 1997-model Cadillac Seville (OnStar) and Lincoln Continental (Motorola RESCU)
• First Bluetooth-capable audio system - 2000 Chrysler
• First MP3-capable audio system - 2001 Mazda Protegé MP3
• First active noise cancellation - 2005 Acura RL
• First steering wheel mounted audio controls - 1984 Nissan 300ZX AE
• First front auxiliary input (for iPod/MP3 devices) (OEM systems) - 2006 BMW 3 series

Other

• First steering wheel - 1899 Packard
• First speedometer - 1901 Oldsmobile
• First tilt-away steering wheel - 1912 Peerless
• First dash-mounted fuel tank gauge - 1914 Studebaker
• First tilt-away steering column - 1928 Buick
• First horn ringed steering wheel - 1936 Cord Automobile
• First turn signals - 1939 Buick
• First split folding rear seats - 1959 Auto Union Universal (Fiat patented the system in 1978)
• First tilt/telescope steering wheel - 1965 Cadillac
• First electronic four wheel steering - 1985 Nissan Skyline HICAS
• First mechanical four wheel steering - 1988 Honda Prelude 4WS
• First composite wheels - 1989 Shelby CSX. Composite wheels were an option on the 1970 Citroën SM.
• First active exhaust - 1991 Mitsubishi 3000GT
• First Production Car To Achieve 200 MPH 1987 Ferrari F40

Pre-War

• Best-selling pre-war vehicle - Ford Model-T (15,000,000 sold between 1908 and 1928)
• Least-expensive full-featured automobile - 1927 Ford Model-T (US$300; about US$3,500 in inflation-adjusted 2005 dollars)
• 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)
• Longest - Bugatti Royale - 6.4 m (21 ft) long,
• Longest Wheelbase - Bugatti Royale 4.57 m (180 in) or 4.32 m (170 in) wheelbase depending on model
• Widest - Mercedes-Benz 770 2,108 mm (83 in)
• Widest Front Track - 1,626 mm (64.0 in) - Mercedes-Benz 770
• Widest Rear Track - 1,676 mm (66.0 in) - Mercedes-Benz 770
• Heaviest Curb Weight - 3,673 kg (8,098 lb) - Mercedes-Benz 770
• Largest pre-war Straight-4 - 21,495 cc (1,312 in³) - 1912 Benz 82/200
• Largest pre-war Straight-6 - 21,112 cc (1,288 in³) - 1905 Panhard et Levassor 50 CV
• Largest pre-war Straight-8 - 12,763 cc (779 in³) - 1929 Bugatti Royale production car; the prototype had a 14,726 cc (899 in³) engine
• Largest pre-war V12 - 11,310 cc (690 in³) - 1933 Hispano-Suiza Type 68bis

See also

• Units of measurement
  • International System of Units
  • United States customary units
  • Imperial units
• Power
• Torque
• Mass