the future of performance cars.....

http://autos.yahoo.com/news/the-future-of-performance-cars.html

 

Good article. I think a supercharged carbon Exige is the future sportscar, they need to make the door taller though.

 

If the MP4-12C can circulate the Top Gear track faster than a Ferrari Enzo and still return high 20's on the highway, I'd say the days of the performance car are not numbered as long as gasoline is still available.

 

I'd love to get a new Big Mac in Orange of course, maybe w some fries & a shake on the side

 

I am old enough to remember the first death of the performance car in the 70's. I have to agree with Dr. Ullrich that internal combustion will be here the rest of my lifetime. As long as there are car enthusiasts there will be technologies that will allow the internal combustion engine to exist. Its not just developing new propulsion systems, its the infrastructure to support them, and that includes the electrics. It will be a long time before hydrogen or other fuels will be readily available everywhere, and with it almost impossible to build new power plants there isn't the capacity to switch over to electrics everywhere.

 

Or they could go the way of the mandated NLA 100W incandescent light bulbs.

The Gov has us by the ba***!

 

Yes, we should be free to have slow carburetted cars with no seat belts, and that rust overnight and get 12 mpg.

 

Absolutely -- Lotus has the basic recipe right. Super lightweight, start with a basic reliable small engine and use technology to wring the power out of it.

If the manufacturing costs of carbon fibre can be reduced, I would guess the days of steel being used in cars are numbered.

 

The "Future" has already arrived....

http://www.teslamotors.com/

 

Lotus has a recipe right but hopefully that won't be the only recipe. There are many ways to cook a meal. If every sports car followed that formula, life would be rather boring IMO.

-F

 

Lambo is also working on dropping the price of CF parts

 

Things I see that spell a bleak future for new fun cars:

Poor global economy.

Poor quality of available gasoline.

The price and availability of gasoline.

Ethanol in increasing amounts in fuel.

Severe "speeder laws" that make the cars useless.

Taxes.

Local law enforcement, as well as State and Federal tax enforcement personnel who TARGET owners of " exotic" cars . Sure, mess with the people who own the business and spend money in the local economy. (Idiots.)

Some stuff needs to change. Or cars as our generation has grown up with them will be gone forever. Changes are already happening, and not all of them are good.


Just my .02. Explains why I like old , slow cars.

 

Same can be said for those that grew up with pre-war cars, steam, horse and buggy, etc...

Don't reminisce, just enjoy the little time we have with them.

 

I like the Porsche hybrid sports car. It's too bad the fuddy duddies who like Ferrari will pooh-pooh it.

The world is changing... Embrace it, don't hide from it.

 

Alright, how much stock did you buy?

(If this is the future, I don't want it. A performance car MUST be LOUD!)

 

I do agree almost 100%, with the exception of: Old, slow cars.
I think the best era of automobiles, both in performance, functions & usability - will be about 2003-2012. I love Nav, ventilated seats, Sat Radio, all power functions, dynamic, massaging seats, keyless entry, etc etc....
However, with the new technology - don't really care for cylinders that shut down while at lights (eco mode), cars that park themselves, or (even) bluetooth !!! Rather just hold a phone to my ear.
So I am ultimately unsold & unsure as to all this newfangled stuff, and I'm a relatively young guy. Fairly tech savvy but not overly so....