Washington Auto Show Features Latest Innovations
February 4, 2010

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour

2010 Honda Insight

2010 Subaru Forester's heated windshield wipers.

2010 Jaguar XF

2010 Toyota Prius

The annual Washington Auto Show was held last week in our nation’s capitol. Many auto manufacturers came out in full force to show their latest innovations, including several unique glass options.

Honda introduced its new 2010 Accord Crosstour, which is equipped with deeply tinted privacy glass in its rear sidelites, wedge-shaped rear quarter windows and in its tailgate. In addition, the vehicle’s front windshield is designed to reject heat “to reduce heat from solar loading for improved comfort and air conditioning performance.”

Heat-rejecting glass like that used in the Accord Crosstour likely will begin showing up on more and more vehicles as California’s auto glass regulations take effect in 2012. (CLICK HERE for related story.)

Likewise, the new 2010 Honda Insight is equipped with a windshield with heat rejection, but also sound insulation.

Privacy glass also has become very common, and appears on the 2010 Subaru Forester as well. In addition, the Forester comes with an interesting new addition as an option—a windshield wiper de-icer.

Jaguar was on-hand with its newest sporty luxury vehicle, the 2010 XF, which, among many other options, has an electric backlite sunblind. Other highlights of the vehicle include blue halo and interior mood lighting, along with an aluminum dash board, satin or gloss wood veneers, and twin-needle stitching on both its instrument panel and doors.

Despite much negative press directed toward Toyota for its recent recalls, green vehicles comprised much of the show and one highlight of this section was the Toyota Prius PHV—a third-generation Prius equipped with a lithium-ion battery designed to operate completely electrically and at higher speeds and longer distances.

There were 42 total manufacturers on hand at the show and 700 new cars on display.

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