Fridges, Plasma Screens and Toilets Named Ultimate Car Accessories

WINCHESTER - August 11, 2008: High-tech in-car gadgets are usually the reserve of James Bond cars or those of the rich and famous which are fitted with the very latest ‘must-haves’ to be able to enjoy the ultimate motoring experience. However, according to a recent survey commissioned by Protyre, motorists would happily shun the widely-available optional equipment on the market such as satellite navigation, air conditioning and radio CD players, for their dream accessories if they had the choice when buying a new car.

As the summer season gets into full swing, over 10% of respondents stated that they would have a refreshment facility, whch would include a fridge, ice cream machine, cold drinks dispenser, fully-stocked bar for passengers, and a coffee machine for those early starts.

In-car entertainment is also paramount according to the study, with 45% of motoirists indicating that they would choose to have a flat-screen television linked to a games console, DVD player or personal computer. Whilst nearly a third of those surveyed would specify surround sound, an iPod docking station, bluetooth connectivity and a blu-ray player also topped the list of the most wanted technological gizmos.

If this wish list is not considered to go far enough, motorists who frequently embark on long journeys and want the creature comforts of the family camper van, 15% would even kit their car out with a bed, toilet, and heated floor mats! Nevertheless, the study also showed that safety remains firmly embedded in the minds of drivers says Protyre, with a quarter of drivers specifying an automatic tyre inflation system which would keep pressures constantly maintained, or a tyre pump as an alternative to having to reach for an airline on a garage forecourt.

Commenting on the results, Phil Brookes operations director at Protyre explained: “When the boundaries of costs, imagination and vehicle design have no limits, it is amazing what drivers would want to have in their cars if they had a complete freedom choice regarding its specification, and could leave the conventional options behind. However, it is encouraging that drivers still regard tyres as a key safety component of their vehicle which are often neglected as many take to the road to go on holiday.”