Ashtray and cigar lighter
ConfortAverage price
30€ - 150€
The ashtray and cigar lighter are comfort features historically found in the majority of automobiles. Originally designed for smoking drivers and passengers, they consist of a small receptacle for ashes (the ashtray), often removable for easy cleaning, and an electrical heating device (the cigar lighter) which, when pressed, heats an incandescent resistance. With changing habits and declining smoking rates, this equipment has become less and less standard. Today, most manufacturers offer it as an option, often under the name 'smoker's pack'. However, the location of the cigar lighter has retained critical importance by transforming into a universal 12-volt power socket. This socket is now essential for powering or recharging a multitude of electronic devices: smartphone chargers, GPS units, dashcams, electric coolers, etc. The ashtray, meanwhile, is often replaced by a storage space or a cupholder, although a removable ashtray, designed to fit into a cupholder, is frequently included in optional packages. This equipment perfectly illustrates the automotive industry's adaptation to societal changes, transforming a specific function into a versatile convenience.
Benefits
- ✓Provides a practical and secure solution for smoking drivers.
- ✓The cigar lighter socket serves as a universal 12V outlet to recharge numerous devices.
- ✓The removable ashtray can be used as a small car trash can or catch-all tray.
- ✓Helps keep the cabin clean by offering a dedicated receptacle for ashes and small waste.
Learn more
The Ashtray and Cigar Lighter: From Period Standard to Modern Convenience Option
The ashtray and cigar lighter are features that have shaped automotive history. For decades, they were as standard as a steering wheel or wheels, fitted to virtually all vehicles, from popular city cars to luxury sedans. Integrated into the center console, they offered essential convenience at a time when smoking in the car was common practice. The cigar lighter operated via a simple yet effective mechanism: by pushing it into its socket, an electrical contact heated a metal heating element until it glowed. Once hot, it popped out automatically, ready for use. The ashtray, often equipped with a lid, was used to collect ash and cigarette butts, keeping the cabin clean.
The Transformation into a 12V Socket: An Essential Second Life
With the decline in smoking and public health campaigns, the systematic inclusion of the ashtray and cigar lighter was called into question. Adapting to new consumer expectations, automakers began removing them from standard equipment. However, while the cigar lighter's heating element disappeared, its base experienced an unexpected revival. The cylindrical socket that powered it became the standard for essential electrical connectivity: the 12V power socket.
Today, this socket is one of the most used convenience features in a vehicle. It allows drivers and passengers to connect a multitude of accessories that make travel easier. Here are a few examples:
Smartphone and tablet chargers: Essential for staying connected on long trips.
External GPS navigation systems: For those who prefer a dedicated device over the built-in screen.
Dashcams: On-board cameras that record the road, increasingly popular for safety and insurance reasons.
Portable electric coolers: To keep drinks and food cool during trips.
Portable air compressors: Useful for reinflating a tire if needed.
The "Smoker's Package": An Option for Die-Hards
For customers who still want the original functionality, manufacturers now offer the "smoker's package". This is an option, often inexpensive, that typically includes two items:
The cigar lighter heating element: It plugs directly into the standard 12V socket.
A removable ashtray: No longer a built-in dashboard drawer, it is usually a cup with a lid, designed to fit snugly into one of the vehicle's cupholders. This modular design makes it easy to empty and clean.
For non-smokers, this removable ashtray can easily double as a receptacle for coins, parking tickets, or a small makeshift trash can, adding a touch of versatility to the accessory.
Conclusion: A Heritage Adapted to the Modern World
The ashtray and cigar lighter are a perfect example of the evolution of automotive equipment. Once a necessity for a generation, they have become a niche option. Nevertheless, their legacy lives on through the 12V socket, a universal connectivity standard that has transformed a smoker's accessory into a power hub for portable tech. Whether used for its original purpose via an optional package or simply as a power source, this spot on the center console remains an essential element of comfort and practicality in the modern automobile.
Associated equipment
Comfort Pack
The Comfort Pack is a set of equipment and features offered by car manufacturers, designed to significantly improve well-being, ergonomics, and life on board the vehicle for both the driver and passengers. Far from being a mere gimmick, it groups together options that transform the driving experience, particularly on long journeys and during daily use. The exact composition of a Comfort Pack varies considerably from one brand and model to another, but it generally includes key elements such as more ergonomic seats with extended adjustments (electric, lumbar, heated), a more sophisticated climate control system (dual-zone or tri-zone), better acoustic comfort thanks to specific glazing, and practical features like keyless entry and start. The main objective is to reduce fatigue, minimize driving-related stress, and create a more relaxing and premium interior atmosphere. By bundling these options, the manufacturer often offers a price advantage compared to selecting each piece of equipment individually, making comfort more accessible and enhancing the vehicle's value on the used car market.
Front cup holders
Front cup holders are devices integrated into the vehicle's cabin, designed to securely and stably hold cups, cans, or bottles. Generally located on the center console, between the front seats, or sometimes on the dashboard, they have become a standard comfort feature in almost all modern cars. Far from being a simple gadget, their design has evolved considerably. Basic models are simple cavities molded into the plastic, while more sophisticated versions can be adjustable to fit various container diameters, retractable for a sleeker design, or even climate-controlled (refrigerated or heated) on high-end vehicles. This feature directly contributes to safety by preventing the driver from being distracted by an unstable drink. It also improves ergonomics and interior space organization, keeping drinks within reach without cluttering other storage areas. In short, the front cup holder is a key element of on-board comfort, particularly appreciated during long journeys or daily commutes.
Center console with storage
The center console with storage is a fundamental element of the modern automotive interior, located between the front seats. Much more than a simple divider, it has become a true multifunctional nerve center. Designed to optimize ergonomics and comfort, it integrates various storage spaces, ranging from a simple catch-all tray to a refrigerated compartment. Its upper part is often capped with an adjustable armrest, improving the driving position on long trips. Over the course of its evolution, the center console has also integrated numerous technologies: it frequently houses cup holders, USB ports, a 12V socket, or even a smartphone induction charger. On high-end models, it may also accommodate controls for the infotainment system, drive mode selector, or climate control. Its design, materials (slush-molded plastic, leather, wood or aluminum inserts), and modularity (adjustable compartments, sliding lid) are important markers of the trim level and the attention paid to the on-board vehicle experience. Thus, it contributes directly to an orderly, practical, and pleasant interior for everyday life.
12V Socket
The 12V socket, more commonly known as the 'cigarette lighter', is a standardized electrical interface found in virtually all motor vehicles. Originally designed to power a small heating element for lighting cigarettes, its use has evolved drastically to become a universal auxiliary power source. It supplies a 12-volt direct current (DC), powered directly by the vehicle's battery. Its simple and robust cylindrical design has made it a de facto industry standard. Today, although the cigarette lighter element itself is often an option or has disappeared, the socket remains an essential interior feature. It allows a multitude of third-party accessories to be plugged in, ranging from simple USB chargers to more power-hungry equipment such as electric coolers or air compressors. It is generally located on the center console, but many modern vehicles also offer them for rear passengers or in the trunk, thereby increasing practicality and on-board connectivity. Its power output, typically limited between 120 and 180 watts (10 to 15 amperes), makes it more versatile than standard USB ports for many applications.