11 most exciting technology elements at the New England Auto Show

If car fans were lucky enough to find parking for the New England Auto Show at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center on Saturday, they had the opportunity to check out everything from McLarens to hybrids on the exhibition floor. Some new players in the car game like the Cadillac ELR and the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray were on display, featuring fresh, innovative technology likely to turn heads.

We picked the best tech the show has to offer, including Hyundai’s new Blue Link telematics solution, Audi’s recently redesigned A3 and S3 with adaptive cruise control, and Ford’s Mannetone driving simulator. Check out the best of what the tech world had to offer at the 2014 New England International Auto Show.

Cadillac

The Cadillac ELR hybrid electric coupe was swarmed with appreciative onlookers throughout the show. The combination gas-electric hybrid features an on-board gas-powered generator which extends the distance of a single battery charge from 37 miles to 340 miles. Cadillac’s ELR offers four drive modes (tour, sport, mountain, and hold), which can all be monitored on The CUE, a full-color, high-resolution touch screen. CUE comes to life when it senses a hand near, providing feedback vibrations to let you know it has received your command, both helping to minimize the need to look away from the road.

Chevrolet

The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is a beaut, and their redesigned sports coupe comes with the MyLink system which features an 8-inch HD color touch-screen that can be controlled with hand gestures or via the steering wheel. The Vette also has the capability to stream HD Radio and Pandora, and can even display 3D maps. RemoteLink Key Fob Services come standard ion OnStar-equipped vehicles (which the Corvette can be), allowing owners to start, stop, lock, and unlock their vehicles from miles away, all at the touch of their smartphone.

Acura

The Acura RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD is what Auto Blog writer Brandon Turkus calls the model the “V8 alternative we’ve been waiting for.’’ The 2014 RLX Sport Hybrid is the first vehicle in Acura’s line to deploy a new, three-motor hybrid powertrain technology, with a direct-injected V-6 engine and a 7-speed dual clutch transmission. Inside the car, the RLX Hybrid boasts the Acura electronic gear selector and Acura Head-Up Display System, which projects key driving information like turn-by-turn navigation and the speedometer, on the car’s windshield.

Ford

Ford’s most exciting technology at its exhibit wasn’t in an actual vehicle, but rather in a simulator named Mannetron MX100. Show-goers had the opportunity to drive a simulated Ford Fiesta ST (after waiting in line and signing a waiver), complete with seat belt, 360-degree spinning seat and screens, and true-to-life racing sounds. Check out this video of the Ford ST Driving Experience live at the LA Auto Show last November.

Toyota

Toyota also featured a driving simulator, TeenDrive 365, but rather than getting strapped in with a trio of screens in your face, users were seated in the driver’s seat of a 2014 Camry with an over-the-eye simulated mask. Users were tasked with operating the simulator while distracted and onlookers were given a first-person view of the driver’s experience, as well as a look inside the car from an HD television display.

Toyota

A look at the TeenDrive 365 experience.

Hyundai

Hyundai showcased most of its models, from the wallet-friendly Elantra, to the top-of-the-line Equus, during the show. Most of Hyundai’s models can be equipped with the manufacturer’s recently improved Blue Link telematics system, which allows owners to communicate safety needs, navigation needs, and even set curfew alerts for young drivers using a geo-fence.

Hyundai

The Hyundai exhibit offers an interactive Blue Link display which allows show-goers a chance to explore the system’s features.The system offers roadside and emergency assistance, points of interest searches, and through a geo-fence, the ability to set up alerts if the car is driven over a specific speed or after a certain time.

Pictured: The Blue Link’s ability to find nearby gas stations with the best prices.

BMW

The all-electric BMW i3 was on display at the BCEC, featuring a lithium-ion, high-voltage battery which can be monitored using the BMW i Remote App. The smartphone application shows how efficiently the car is driven in its Last Trip Performance segment. The car’s i Navigation can be used both in the vehicle and on a smartphone, allowing users to find the most efficient route to their destination after parking their vehicle to charge it at the closest charging station.

MINI

Tech Radar called MINI’s infotainment system, MINI Connected, one of the best systems out there in 2012, and its newest model, the 2014 Mini Cooper hardtop, will come equipped with all the Connected bells and whistles. The system works with Bluetooth to connect directly to smartphones, allowing drivers to listen to playlists from their phones and browse their favorite Pandora stations right on their dashboard. Owners can also e-mail directions directly to their car with Google Send to Car.

Honda

Jon Green of Brookline brought his son Worth to check out the auto show, and the duo stopped to admire the 2014 Honda Fit EV. The 100 percent electric vehicle produces zero emissions, and owners can keep track of the car’s performance with the HondaLink EV smartphone-compatible monitoring system. The system keeps track of the vehicle’s charge, how long it will take to be fully charged, and how far the car could go on its current charge. Owners can also set the charge timer to maximize efficiency during off-peak hours. The car also comes with an interactive remote that allows owners to start or stop charging, see the current state of charge, or turn on air conditioning to pre-cool the vehicle.

Nissan

Cars.com named the Nissan Leaf its “Eco-Friendly Car of the Year’’ in January, beating out the Chevrolet Volt and Volkswagen Jetta Sportswagen TDI. The car gets about 80 miles per charge, and also boasts an improved telematics system, which will allow drivers to listen to and dictate SMS messages, and a standard rear-view camera.

Audi

Audi’s re-imagined A3 (pictured) and S3 were on display at the auto show and both feature adaptive cruise control and lane assist options. What sets the Audi cruise control apart from its competitors, according to a brand representative, is the fact that you can set the distance you’d like there to be between your car and the car in front of you while cruising.