AYLORMOTIV B.C.AL., AAA, LC.8.C, Approved WINTER SPECIALS *All service by Govt. registered technicians 7+ Luss, On & Firren ng Fite % = api . Check Pattery. test antifreeze, a tnt ti ze KES, i Sj i f re : 5 * . 7 ires & brakes, visual inspection repo “toc, of Wen Pion ud only +t Surer LUBE-MAJOR CHECK "All above with written B.C.A.A., inspection Teport, rotate tires, top up all fluids, road test,“ poo ¥ align check’ “ine, off, filter. top up fhulds, xe extra 2°¢ Tune-Up - HIGH TECH pe “One of BC's top AirCare technicians will check your engine, report findings & tune with scope «= pe roading & ful road test” (4 cy) + pests & taxes ve P aiso speciais on & a8cy 2\¢ BRAKE SERVICE Labour omy Full condition report + estimate, replace s front or rear pads or shoes by cerified technicians, Lifetime guarantee on pads & shoes - most makes HEATING & COOLING Check radiator, hoses, belts, drain & refill cooling system, test antifreeze cond, pressure check & full report’ : ALIGNMENT = THE BEST alignment, by certified technicians, produces full before & after seport & Toag test - your choice” ‘Prices cover most cars & light trucks °* ¢parie & taxes most maxes & models . . . TALKING Govt. licensed inspection YELLOW PAGES station S2564 7293-9000 Wasa. 176 Pamberten, North Var. (5 biks South of Marine (rive) 9GS. F555 °4specd automatic + Power windows ¢ Air conditioning and tacks Keyless remote © CD/AM/FM stereo 2 + Cruise contro! : AUTOMD ENE Ju seaLcr ASEOCTION OF Canaba eee ee EET ABSOCHATION 388 JOURNAL CTES AUTOMOURE bu CasAne _ ¢ Shift on the fly part time 4d system Power steering * Air conditioning ¢ Power windows and locks ¢ Cruise control Keyless remote, anti theft system ° AM/FM/CD with cassette SRG? AE0O}: 2000 Wide GXE (UIAGTD CKOO), Faihecer ORG cone oid, resata Geobaaion a 28 2000 Arinas, Visit our website at wwe.olessacanada.com © 222 HP, 3.0L engine © 4 speed automatic * Automatic climate control © Power windows, locks, drivers seat * Keyless remote, anti theft system «120 watt stereo, CD/AM/FM cassette 2000 Xterra photo submitted MERCEDES concept cars like the F300 {anove) aim to automate many driving functions tike emergency stops. The F200 (left) is con- trolled via video-game- like “joysticks” with a right-hand controller for power and brake and a left-hand docr-mount Stick for steering. ing to ihe future signals IN my youth I always knew that the innumer- able hours seemingly wasted in video arcades would benefit me some- where along the line. It all makes sense at last. Don’t ask me how I came to end up reading the Economie Times of India, but a recent story on DaimlerChrysler’s recent batch of Mercedes “concept cars” has got my giddy like I haven't felt since obtaining the all-time high score on Astervids Deluxe at Circuit Circus. “Smart Cars” are. the way of the future it seems, and a working knowledge of-user- interface devices other than pedals and a steering wheel will most likely be requisites for basic car control. The Mercedes F200 coupe first displayed a couple of years ago, illustrated a grow- ing trend toward computer technology becoming more predominant in your basic fatnity car. OK, expensive fam- ily car, but a trend dust the same. The F200 is controlled via video-game-like “joysticks” with a right-hand controiler for power and brake and a ief-hand daor-mount stick for steering. Thumb and finger- activated hat-switches, buttons and triggers round out the interface. Or, there’s the Mercedes F300 three-wheeler bike/car hybrid which is suspiciously reminiscent of a video game vehicle as played in Stun Runner, minus the anti-gravi- ty thrusters and the photon missiles — hopefully such alevices are included in the next stages of development. More important than the cool interface and sci-fi pre- sentation, however, is that fact that Mercedes future cars will be ultra-suphisticated and able to automate most driving tasks. They project that by the middle of this decade a : Jercedes vehicle will be capa- ble of performing computer- ized emergency stops and passing manoeuvres as well as adjusting itself to countless driving variables like poor visi- bility, heavy waffic and slip- pery roads (they're already doing this, in fact, but to a lesser degree). On top of that, these future cars promise to come pre-programmed with an exe- cutabie knowledge of motor vehicle laws and regulations, making the task of driving pretty much bonehead proof. This would not so much Put rie out of a job as meld my affinity for driving with my innate ability to guide a hovercar through plasmatic turnpikes at Mach 7 then write about the glory of it all... but where would I insert the quarter? Hnamm. For now, be sate.