Longing for technology that has become obsolete in vehicles is growing

Many automotive technologies, once essential to the driving experience, have become so obsolete that they practically belong in museums today. Thanks to evolving safety standards, digitalization, and environmentally friendly approaches, systems once considered "innovations" have now been consigned to the pages of history. So, which technologies has the automotive world bid "farewell" to?

The era of wrapping your head with a pen while driving is over

Cassette players, once a symbol of the 1980s and 1990s, are now simply a nostalgic fixture in classic cars. Drivers once rewound a cassette with a stylus while driving, battling the forward and back buttons to catch their favorite track. Today, these have been replaced by Bluetooth systems, smart displays, and online music platforms.

The cigarette break is history

The ashtrays and cigarette lighter sockets that once graced the dashboard of nearly every car have now been replaced by USB ports and charging ports. The decline in cigarette smoking and the emphasis on in-car air quality have led to the end of this small but symbolic detail.

The era of “lower a little, raise a little” is over

Once upon a time, opening a window meant turning a handle. On long drives, cries of "Open a little more" would be heard from the back seat. With the proliferation of power windows, this classic gesture has become a thing of the past—and now cars automatically adjust the windows with a single touch.

The triumph of the button age

Start-stop buttons and smart keys, which have replaced metal keys, have revolutionized comfort. While it was once impossible to start a car without the metal keys in our pockets, today simply "getting close" is enough. Some newer models don't even require a key, and can be unlocked with facial recognition or a phone call.

The full-size spare wheel remains in memories

Full-size spare tires, which once took up nearly half the trunk, have now been replaced by small "temporary spare tires" or tire repair kits. The reason is simple: they save both space and fuel. But nostalgic drivers still yearn for the reliability of the old-school spare tire.

A classic that surrenders its soul to automatics

For car enthusiasts, the clutch held a special place. That feeling when shifting gears, the mechanical connection established with the engine… But with the development of automatic transmissions, the manual transmission became almost a collectible nostalgia item. New generations of drivers now receive their driver's licenses without ever having experienced the third pedal.

Times are changing, so is the steering wheel

The automotive world has undergone constant transformation throughout history. Some technologies have faded into obscurity, while others have been reborn. But the one constant has been people's passion for driving. Perhaps in the future, the systems we praise as "innovation" today will also become "relics of the past."