The Citroen C5

It seems 2009 will be the year in which science fiction finally becomes reality in the world of motoring.

No, I’m not referring to the NASA-designed Terrafugia Transition, the first flying car, due to be tested this year and hit the showrooms next year at a cost of £132,000. I’m talking about the new hi-tech gadgetry which ­ordinary, non-flying cars are increasingly being stuffed with.

Cars today can turn the ­engine off when you’re ­stationary, warn you when you’re getting too close to other cars or drifting out of your lane, and alert you to other vehicles overtaking you in your blind spot.

There is even something called self-parking. No longer content with rear, front and side sensors, three manufacturers have come up with a system which ­virtually takes over the parking process.

The driver controls ­throttle, clutch and brake, while the steering wheel turns itself automatically to the right positions.

Volkswagen offers a self-parking option on a range of models, including the Tiguan, Touran and the new Golf Mk6, on sale this month.

Self-parking is also ­available on Toyota’s new Prius and the Mercedes

A-Class. The system on the A-Class, according to ­Mercedes, is able to park in a space only 1.3 ­metres longer than the car – a smaller space than its ­rivals can match.

Citroen has introduced a lane-departure warning ­system for the C5 and C6, which vibrates the seat if you start drifting out of your lane. The Volvo V50 has a blind-spot camera that sets off a flashing light on the driver’s door whenever another ­vehicle is about to overtake. This is helpful especially in guarding against drivers who overtake on the inside. Then there is intelligent cruise control, which keeps you at a safe distance from other cars. This is available on top-line Mercedes models and a growing number of other makes. Later this year, the new Vauxhall Insignia will have the ­optional ­extra of a forward-facing ­camera, which uses ­radar to read speed-limit and “no overtaking” road signs, ­presenting the info to drivers via the dashboard.

On the green front, there’ll be more models using stop-start technology, where cars turn themselves off while you’re waiting in ­traffic. BMW, Mini, Toyota, Smart and Citroen already have this on some cars and the Land Rover Freelander is about to get it. The aim is to improve fuel ­economy.

According to a survey by car buyers’ website motors.co.uk, the subject of in-car gadgets and their usefulness (or otherwise) sparks more heated ­debates among motorists than any other topic.

Steve Fowler, ­editor of What Car?, is sceptical about such gadgets. He says: “They don’t always work. Self-park, for ­example, only ever seems to work when it wants to.”

Hi-tech models:

Volkswagen

Tiguan, basic: £18,214, parking assist: £450

Touran, basic: £12,825, parking ­assist: £529

Golf Mk6, basic: £12,875, parking assist: £494, rear-view camera: £142

Toyota

Prius T Spirit: £21,155, includes parking assist

Land Rover

Freelander 2: £20,876, available this summer, stop-start engine

Citroen

C5 ­Exclusive: £20,395, rear-parking sensors standard

C6 2.7 HDi and 3.0i V6 models: £28,495, heads-up display and parking ­sensor standard

Mercedes

CL: £79,703,

night-view assist: £1,194, ­intelligent cruise ­control: £1,443,

S-Class: £56,566,

night-view ­assist: £1,038, Intelligent Cruise ­Control: £1,443.

A-Class: £14,064, ­

parking assist: £468