The results from KPMG's 13th annual Global Automotive Executive Survey has predicted that a new generation of cars will make better use of built-in internet access and, if automakers get their way, turn us all into "connected drivers".


Apparently 34% of car executives expect that consumers' purchasing decisions over the next five years will be driven by whether the car they purchase has internet connectivity. This goes much further than mere web surfing though and a selection of related benefits can be found below.

KPMG's Internet Connected Car Features (Ideas)
* Live traffic updates.

* Voice recognition .

* Access to smartphones through steering wheel controls and the dashboard.

* Increased safety as vehicles can communicate with each other and pass warnings on dangerous situations such as wet roads.

* Technical problems could be diagnosed and some even repaired remotely.

* Traffic jams and red lights could be identified before they are reached.

Attempting to realise the car's potential as a "gateway to the internet" is actually nothing new and several manufacturers, such as BMW (iDrive), have been doing a more basic form of online integration for years. But surfing the internet while driving isn't exactly well advised and many such systems wisely restrict access, at least while moving, to passengers for precisely that reason. Hackers are going to love this.