There’s already a thread specifically about EV critics:
I intended this thread to be about cars themselves. Things like production models, performance, preferences, etc–pointless mundanities for people who like to talk about cars. And without hijacking the “most interesting car” thread.
I’m fascinated by Polestar. They’re subtly styled like a futuristic sedan, nice and clean, 4 doors, and with good performance. Living in the SF Bay Area, I’m starting to see them fairly regularly and, I like!
i miss the old wagons … mom had a 82 0r 3 chevy malibu that fit 16 (or more) and all the groceries and camping gear and still got about 20 to a gallon …id of inherited that car until my drunk ass stepdad wrapped it around a tree …
Another article about all the upcoming EV models from a variety of makes. Lots of investments into trucks and crossovers.
The Polestar and the upcoming new Polestar are beautifully designed vehicles, for sure. Decent specs as well.
It surprised me how many hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are planned. And that solid state batteries are planned for vehicles within 5 years. These are interesting developments.
I recall recently reading about a breakthrough in hydrogen fuel cell tech. And here it is: Link
There’s still a lot to be done of course, but this is a huge safety advance for converting water to hydrogen & oxygen.
I kind of like the heritage behind the “Hornet” name.
First, there was the Hudson Hornet. Then Hudson became one half of AMC, and the brand was retired.
Then AMC recycled the Hornet name on their compact car. Later, AMC got bought out by Chrysler.
Now Dodge is using the name Hornet for their upcoming EV crossover.
I feel like we’re seeing the beginning of a new golden age of cars. The changes under the hood are leading to experimentation in styling. I’m looking forward to what my choices will be in 2030.
Sorry, but I regret some of the changes already. Sure, cars handle better and are safer now, but having racing in my blood I hate that they tell on you.
Gearheads are going to have to go through the same thing audiophiles did. The new formats are objectively superior in most ways that matter, but the tech is digital and somewhat bloodless.
The scream of a high revving V8 and a mechanical shifter is a very different thing than the whirring of a motor controlled by a microcontroller, even if the motor is way more efficient. And you can’t tinker with an electric car, get a new exhust for more power, add a turbo, etc. It’s alll software and electronics.
Decades ago, I had a 1968 Plymouth Barracuda with a 340. It made about 50 hp more than stock. To get that 50 hp required replacement of the exhaust manifolds, intake manifold, carburetor, camshaft, radiator, ignition coil, and the distributor, plus machine work on the cylinder heads. It required a lot of labor to replace those parts. Downsides: it was louder, thirstier, and polluted more than when stock.
Two years ago, I had a 2017 VW Golf R. It had about 50 hp more than stock. I paid a tuner garage to replace the stock engine program with one that allowed more turbo boost. It took less than a half hour and cost $700. Downsides: it required premium gas, and throttle response was a little jumpy. Also, the clutch couldn’t handle the power, and had to be replaced. That cost another $2000.
I now own a Tesla Model 3 Dual Motor. It makes 50 hp more than stock. All I had to do is open the Tesla app on my phone and select the Acceleration Boost option, which deducted $2000 from my credit card. The only downside is Tesla didn’t really give me anything for my $2000. The battery and motors were always capable of producing the extra 50 hp but were software limited. Tesla just unlocked the power. It’s kind of a ripoff.
What do you mean, “they tell on you”?
I’m not @carnut, but I bet it’s close to this …
Car enthusiasts want to drive 100mph on the highway, but if they ever crash, the vehicle data recorder will ensure the do real badly in any prosecution or civil suit for damages caused.
Teslas in fact datalink stuff back to Tesla HQ all the time. And more cars will be doing that in the future.
IOW, our vehicles are turning into tattle-tales.
My Chevy Bolt has a speed governor set by the manufacturer at 93 mph. I’m not a big fan of high speeds, so it’s never bothered me.
I don’t consider reporting data after a crash to be tattling, which would be reporting as you’re driving. Just another incentive not to crash.
In the long term, we may see another shift in cars. The non-enthusiasts are going to look at a car like a kitchen appliance. All utility and everything else doesn’t matter.
What utility? A self-driving car (and that’s an argument in itself) will act like a commuter train. Step in and let the car take you to work or shopping. When that happens, will people care about the hood ornament or shape of the taillamp? Will they even care how much horsepower the engine has - as long as it can merge into traffic?
Probably not. They’ll want a comfortable ride with a place to plug in their link to the net. And enough cargo capacity for whatever they think they’ll want to carry. For some people that will be the groceries, for others - all the way up to panels of plywood or drywall.
(I was thinking of joking about a car that would let you take a shower on the way to work - but that might not turn out to be a joke. There was one “show car” that had a built-in washing machine.)
People will probably not even care which manufacturer’s name is on the front. No more “Chevy/Ford/Dodge pickup wars.”
So - think of the future car for non-enthusiasts as a people-carrying box with a cargo carrying box.
We’ve been driving down that road for a while now.
And cupholders!
I think what’s happening is that car enthusiasts aren’t necessarily gearheads now.
For a loose comparison, people used to make their own clothes. Practicality for mending and tailoring was paramount. Then factory-made clothes became cost effective, but there was still needed customization by the consumer. Then ready-to-wear clothes became widespread. Consumers could make changes but rarely did. Now mass-produced clothing can’t really survive alterations. Style is still important to many people, though.
Car enthusiasts aren’t tinkering with engines much anymore, but they show their love for cars in other ways. When cars become transport appliances, the market for non-functional styling will become greater.
Well, I have degrees in mechanical and aerospace engineering, but given that the future cars and home power generation systems are so heavy on electrical power / electronics, I have to say that lately, I’m spending more time studying electrical engineering.