The saying goes in the automotive world that if you want to see what technology will be in ‘normal’ cars in 10-years time, look no further than the latest Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The German automaker is continuing that technology leadership with its latest S-Class, which features a new technology dubbed ‘Splitview’.

The new technology essentially lets the driver and front passenger view two different programs at the same time on the car’s center-mounted LCD screen – while the driver is viewing navigation directions, the front seat occupant can be watching a DVD on the very same screen.

The Splitview system – which was co-developed between Mercedes and Bosch – uses a trick pixel system and an image filter to display two unique images, depending on seating position, from the same 8-inch LCD display. Just think of Splitview like those old baseball cards that showed a player batting as you moved the card, only a lot more technologically advanced.

Splitview will first debut in the next-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class, which is slated to hit the market in summer 2009.