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Car technology I'm thankful and unthankful for

The past few years have seen a surge of tech features in new vehicles — everything from cloud-based content to semi-autonomous driving. While some of it makes the driving experience better, not all tech is useful or well thought out. Automakers who are adept at drivetrains, ride quality and in-cabin comforts often fail at infotainment interfaces and connectivity. From testing dozens of vehicles each year and in the spirit of gratitude, here are three car tech features I'm thankful — and a trio I could live without. Thanks Connected search: This seems like a no-brainer since everyone already has it on their smartphones, but not all automakers include it in the dashboard and as part of their nav systems. The best ones, such as Toyota Entune, leverage a driver's connected device to search for a range of services and don't charge a subscription or require a separate data plan for the car. I also like how systems like Chrysler Uconnect use Yelp or other apps to find everything from coffee to gas stations and allow searching via voice recognition. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto: It took two of the largest tech companies to get in-dash infotainment right. While they have their disadvantages (you're forced to use Apple Maps with CarPlay, for example), the two smartphone-integration platforms make it easier and safer to use their respective native apps for phoning, messaging, music and more behind the wheel by transferring a familiar UI to the dashboard — with no subscription required. Heated seats and steering wheels: I really appreciate these simple but pleasant features come wintertime. It's easy to get spoiled by bun-warmers on frosty mornings and using a heated steering wheel to warm the cold hands. I recently tested a 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 Coupe that also had heated armrest that added to a cozy luxury experience. Bonus points for brands like Buick that allow setting seat heaters to turn on when the engine is remotely started. No thanks Automaker infotainment systems: Automakers have probably poured millions into creating their own infotainment systems, with the result largely being frustration on the part of most car owners. And Apple CarPlay and Android Auto coming along to make them obsolete. While some automaker systems, such as Toyota Entune and FCA's Uconnect, are easy and intuitive to use, it seems that high-end systems (I'm looking at you BMW iDrive and Mercedes-Benz COMAND) are the most difficult.

2017 Mercedes-AMG C63 Coupe unleashed with 503 hp [w/video]

The Mercedes-AMG C63 Sedan is a truly fantastic car. The recently revealed Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe is a seriously pretty two-door. Combine the two, and you get the 2017 Mercedes-AMG C63 Coupe that'll debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month. The AMG C63 Coupe takes everything we love about the sedan and puts it into the sleeker coupe body. It's equal parts aggression and elegance, and it's got the performance and luxury substance to back up both of those attributes. Under the hood is the same twin-turbo, 4.0-liter V8 as the C63 sedan, with two different states of tune. Standard C63 models get 469 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, while the C63 S ups those numbers to 503 and 516, respectively. Running to 60 miles per hour takes 3.9 seconds in the standard car or 3.8 seconds with the S, and the coupes are limited to either 155 or 180 miles per hour, depending on specification. Both versions of the C63 use Mercedes' AMG Speedshift seven-speed automatic transmission. Inside, it's all C-Class Coupe, which is to say, it's lovely. Same goes for all of the ride and handling bits – there's no doubt in our mind that the C63 Coupe will be just as much fun as its four-door sibling on both road and track. We'll see the AMG C63 Coupe next month, but American deliveries won't start until the summer of 2016, hence the 2017 model year designation. We're licking our chops in anticipation. The sportiest C-Class ever Mercedes-AMG is setting another milestone in the brand's history: the new 2017 AMG C63 Coupe is the next step on the way to more technical and visual distinctiveness. The far-reaching technical modifications are evident at first sight: strikingly flared front and rear wheel arches, an increased track width and larger wheels give the C63 Coupe a muscular look while also providing a basis for highly agile longitudinal and lateral dynamics. The brand's typical "Driving Performance" is also taken to new heights with the C63 Coupe. The AMG 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine, with 469 hp in standard trim or 503 hp in the C63 S, is a completely in-house development from Affalterbach. In addition, the sophisticated AMG RIDE CONTROL suspension with electronically controlled shock absorbers, the set-up of the AMG DYNAMIC SELECT transmission modes, the rear-axle limited-slip differential and the dynamic engine mounts have all been developed by AMG. The C-Class is Mercedes-AMG's best-selling model and forms the backbone of the company's success.

VW could look outside its own ranks for next CEO

Companies have two options when coming up with succession plans – hire within, or go outside its ranks. Either choice comes with advantages and disadvantages, to be sure. Hiring within means generally getting someone familiar with the company and its culture and traditions, while going outside is ideal if you're looking to shake things up and bring in fresh ideas. It's unclear which avenue the Volkswagen Group will go down when it comes time to replace its head man, Herr Professor Doctor Doctor Herr Martin Winterkorn, but he isn't ruling out a trip outside of Wolfsburg. Winterkorn has already given the reins of the VW brand to former BMW board member Herbert Diess, while Andreas Renschler, a former Daimler board member, is heading up VW's truck group. Now, Winterkorn has made some statements to a German weekly that indicate the most important thing about his successor isn't necessarily his (or her, though no women appear to be on the short-list) previous employer, Motoring.com.au is reporting, so much as his qualities as a leader and an engineering background. "A Volkswagen boss has to have a big affinity to our products. He needs to be close to customers and he needs to have a relationship with dealers," Winterkorn told Stern. "Like always, it depends on the personality and it also helps if the candidate is an engineer." Motoring throws out a couple of potential candidates from within, including Porsche boss Mathias Muller, Audi Chairman Rupert Stadler and engineering guru Ulrich Hackenberg, in addition to both Diess and Renschler. And while each candidate has a lot of potential, the only thing that's guaranteed right now is what Winterkorn has already said: "The decision about who will succeed me is not an easy one for the supervisory board."