I have seen the future of motoring - and it might not include drivers.

Evidence of that inevitability has been mounting in recent years.

It all started quite innocently, with cars that glow cheerily when the owner approaches, unlock the door when he grabs a handle, close it (softly) behind him, turn on the wipers when it rains, and turn on the headlights at dusk.

Heck, a couple of them even see in the dark.

Then, a few months ago, I drove a Toyota that parks by itself. Volkswagen has unveiled a model that does the same. BMW is expected to do so soon too.

As neat as that sounds, it freaks me out a little. Unlike the automatic transmission which rendered the clutch pedal redundant, and steering-mounted cruise controls which made the accelerator a little less relevant, parking is as intrinsic to driving as treading water is to swimming.

It is a skill no real driver should give up too easily.

Then came the Volvo S80 3.2, a car equipped with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).

This radar-assisted gadgetry will let the car cruise on its own, while keeping a safe distance from other vehicles.

Indeed, it brakes when the car in front slows down and picks up speed again when conditions allow.

The technology is not altogether new, as Mercedes-Benz had it on the previous S-class nearly a decade ago. But the carmaker had deemed the feature unsuitable for Singapore.

So the S80 3.2's system is the first to be used here.

How does it fare?

Well, let's just say if more cars were equipped with it, panel beaters might go out of business.

Switch the cruise control on, and set the distance you want to keep. Even in the shortest setting, the S80 maintains more than two car lengths from the car in front.

It works when you change lanes, negotiate a bend or trudge along in fairly heavy traffic (as long as it flows).

The ACC is quick to slow down, but is slow to pick up speed when conditions allow. And should an idiot swerve into your path with inches to spare, a bonus feature called Collision Warning beeps loudly and lights up a red strip near the windscreen.

That is when it is recommended to apply the brakes with some urgency. Or execute a 'moose avoidance' manoeuvre.

The S80's responsive steering makes that pretty jiffy. You can calibrate the steering resistance, but even at its 'heaviest', the wheel is not as chunky as a Bavarian car's.

Like many BMWs, the S80 3.2 is powered by an inline-six engine. It has the unmistakable rorty resonance of a straight six (perhaps a tad too rorty), but does not seem to deliver as much fury with the sound.

Still, if Volvo's intentions were to offer a car BMW owners might feel at home with, it could do far worse.

The ACC may be somewhat incongruous in this instance, but at least Volvo has left the right to rein in the car to a full stop to the driver.

A new VW on the way assumes that responsibility unto itself. What's next - a car that navigates itself?

Engine: 3,192cc 24-valve inline-6
Gearbox: Six-speed automatic
Max power: 238bhp at 6,200rpm
Max torque: 320Nm at 3,200rpm
0-100kmh: 7.9 seconds
Top speed: 240kmh
Fuel consumption: 9.8 litres/100km (city-highway)
Price: $190,500 (with COE)
Agent: SM Motors