There are some stupid things happening in auto design these days. Now with electric cars around the corner, manufacturers of performance versions are trying to figure out how to make the silent electric cars sound "sporty", instead of dead silent, and not just to alert blind or deaf people to their presence. Both Mercedes and Porsche are devoting gray matter to this "problem".
Another solution looking for a problem, in my view. Do we still try to make todays computers sound like electro-mechanical calculators or type-writers, or iPods like gramophones?
There is far too much noise pollution in the world. The greatest benefit of everyone going electric would be the relative peace it would bring to burgeoning traffic noise. If I could get every bloody Harley-Davidson and stick them in a heap and burn them, along with some of their noise-addicted, "look at me" owners, that would be the best possible start.
Stupidest current idea of all is this idiot tendency of some manufacturers to install "start" buttons. Christ, didn't we just get rid of them all in the 60-70's? I've had them in my old Citroen, Jaguars and many other cars. All it does is give you two hand movements when one currently does the job, as well as linking the start control with the steering lock which seems eminently sensible, and is ergonomically well-situated.
In car design, there really is nothing new under the sun. Old ideas are sometimes made better now by application of new manufacturing methods, compounds and some technologies, but the basics remain very much the same. You won't get away from personal transport in a box on wheels - not because it is necessarily the best idea but because it basically works and has liberated most people from being stuck in one place for their lives and work. We've had steam, producer-gas, petrol, hydrogen, diesel and electric cars since ~1900. The fuel cell is the next thing and represents a major step forward due to the cell technology itself, but the shell, a box on wheels, remains much the same.
Some might dream of flying cars but it is a wasted dream. We can't stop from hitting things or each other in two dimensions now. The accident rate and death toll from the average wally being incapable of operating in three dimensions would boggle the mind.
For example, refer http://www.nypost.com/p/news/nationa...eIHGsgLlz5jt9K
Last edited by Doug_MPS6; 13-03-2010 at 11:48 AM.
CP_e Standback & PNP; CP_e 3" SS Downpipe; Corksport FMIC with Top-mount K&N filter & OEM Ram CAI; Turbosmart BOV;Dashhawk;Prosport Boost Guage;Sumitomo HTRZIII's in 225/45 x 18
The Velociraptor
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Originally Posted by Mr Nasa
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