HARTFORD — Any parent of a teen driver knows how nerve-racking it can be to hand over the keys, but a new car feature from General Motors is aimed at easing those fears.
Chevrolet’s 2016 Malibu will have what’s called a “teen driver” feature.
It’s basically parental controls, much like those on TVs and Internet browsers, but for the car.
Parents can set a maximum speed limit or radio volume. The Malibu can also be programmed to warn the driver when the speed gets too high.
The driver and passenger can also be reminded to fasten their seat belts by an automatically muted radio system.
If that’s not enough, the car can send a teen driver “report card” to the parents.
Ford has a similar system called “MyKey,” which launched in 2008. In 2013 the company reported that MyKey was in more than 6 million Ford and Lincoln cars in the U.S.
The 2016 Malibu will be revealed at the New York International Auto Show on April 1.
