No, You Really Don't Need A New Analog Supercar

It makes a lot of sense. I'd still rather have an F40 than just about anything on the road today, but despite not fitting into that 50+ demographic, I still would rather not be in a car that will absolutely bite my head off, and 600+hp without driving aids probably qualifies...

 

Typical Jalopnik, let's make some assumptions and then just spout off. Call me when they start doing real automotive journalism and not just headlines to get the clicks.

 

Whenever I make one of those lists with ''favorite cars'', my top 5 are all completely analogue, no flappy paddles and bare minimum of electronic intrusions.

My top 10 contains a couple of flappy paddles (LaF, 599 GTO, CS).

An F12 is a fantastic car and I would love one. But one to keep, for life? Other cars, more analogue, appeal to me more. Says it all, for me!

 

he must hate motorcycles.

 

Heck modern high performance bikes have become as robotisized as their super car brothers. The only caveat is that even professional racers can't control over 200HP on a 380lbs bike. They say we mere mortals on the street never come close to the 200HP because of the nannies kicking in.

 

Thanks for sharing...would have never seen it otherwise and certainly worth reading. I found the comments as interesting as the article. Being in the 50+ category (and a little wiser than in the "good old days"), I thank God for all those digital computers feverishly talking to each other when I'm enjoying that spirited drive. I don't have an F40 but I'm still having more driving fun than anytime in my life!

PS: doesn't mean I don't still love the analog cars, I just don't have one and at my age, that's probably a good thing.

 

I know you guys complain about paddle shifters but I will tell you one thing even worse for sports cars: Electric power steering.

It's just horrible. I didn't like it on the Corvette C7 and I have similar issues with it on my Mini S. It's like some computer programmer tried figure out how the steering should feel under different circumstances.

And, it's coming because it's cheaper, lighter and more energy efficient than older hydraulic "analog" systems.

 

Spot on. My Porsche is hydraulic. I drove some of then newer electric systems and, regardless of what some reviewers say (that it's better than 99% of the rest of stuff out there and not too bad) I hate it compared to the feel of hydraulic.

Steering and road feedback is such an integral part of the sports car experience to me that it is depressing that those systems are being relegated to the past... and there is no outright performance advantage except through fuel efficiency (and small there too).

 

I agree. Every time I drive one with electric power steering I second guess everything I'm doing. Just feels unnatural.

 

On certain cars I can actually live with the paddles. Haven't driven an electric steering car before but all I'm constantly hearing is that it does detach you that much more.

Last thing anyone needs is the steering feel of a chrysler sebring convertible

 

Veering off topic, but large sportbikes have been at the point where they have "too much" power for mortals for at least a decade, probably longer. Impressed by a Veyron's 500 hp/ton? Try double that for leading sportbikes like the Aprilia RSV4-RF, BMW S1000RR, Yamaha R1, and Ducati 1299 Panigale.

Fortunately (or unfortunately depending on your POV), the trend is for more and more electronic systems on these bikes. All have traction control, wheelie control, ABS. Two of the four have sensor systems that claim to be able to tell the mode the rider is in (turning vs crashing) and adapt the electronics to make the riding experience both fun and as safe as possible.

I see two related things coming due to this situation, both for supercars and for superbikes:

1. Riders/drivers that have grown up on these systems will lack the skills needed to actually control the vehicle in extreme situations without the aids. But more importantly, the mindset will be that the lack of these aids is a huge deterrent to using a vehicle. That F40 will surely kill you.

2. You might see a polarization of buyers. An F40 will always be desirable, but will say an early Dodge Viper? Not sure but current values of Vipers suggest some people steer clear of simpler analog cars, perhaps because of the mindset of #1 above.

And in closing, a bonus point.
3. If no manufacturer will build an exciting, dangerous car that just might kill you, eventually enthusiasts will do it themselves. Say what you want about Cobra replicas, but cars like them will not be going away anytime soon.

 

I don't necessarily disagree. The power that modern hypercars deliver is beyond the capabilities of most drivers and even with electronic aids is unusable on public roads.

This does not mean that there isn't a place for a lightweight analog car of modest horsepower. More fun driving a "slow" car fast than a fast car slow and all that.

Until someone sees fit to make such a car I'm perfectly content with the unfiltered joys of vintage machines.

 

Not having driven a performance import car with electric steering, would you knowledgeable guys tell me what cars we're talking about. Just the concept sounds terrible.

 

This.

I think Lotus nailed it with the Elise, actually. That car exists full time in the fun zone. I'd like to say the same about my Porsche 356, but the Lotus has three-point belts and other stuff to keep you from dying if you hit a squirrel.

Modern "supercars" are engineered with all of those driving aids as part of the equation. It's naive to think you're going to use 700 bhp without traction control, because ultimately it's still about a tiny patch of rubber and asphalt. I think we're just so far past the performance parameters of "analog" that much of this stuff is now required. Even if you're under 50.

 

The Elise is just about the only modern car to go that route. Unfortunately Lotus doesn't seem to be selling all that many.

 

What the article fails to mention is that all this fantastic technology that is supposed to "protect" you is actually there to drive the car for you. It speaks to people who either can't drive or are more interested in using their cell phones than enjoying the driving experience. Sad.

Those analog cars did require you to know your stuff and commanded your full attention. However, they also rewarded you for good driving techniques, punished you for mistakes, and connected you to the road for a more visceral experience. And you didn't have to pay all that money for all those features that drive the car for you... err I mean make the car safer to drive.

 

Think about this...
How many people who can drive an analog car would be Injured or killed in a Lexus with a stuck accelerator? None.

Those who know how to turn the key, put the car in D, and rely on nannies will be more likely to be unfortunate victims of natural selection.

I'm not knocking safety don't get me wrong I think the modern evolutions in auto safety are amazing and I believe in them. Just that I think it's so important to have some basic car horse sense. I have insisted all three of my kids know how to drive a manual transmission. None of them would be killed by a stuck accelerator.

 

Take all of this one step further. Commercial airline pilots today are being told by the FAA that their manual skills of actually flying todays aircraft have deteriorated and that in an an emergency when the computers cut out and are no longer flying or landing the airplane. These skills which are desperately needed by the flight crew may possibly make an emergency situation much worse. Some airlines at this time are already recommending more simulator time at regular intervals for their pilots to sharpen their skills. I do not recall all the details but fairly recently there was an example of commercial pilot error involving an overseas carrier where the pilot during an emergency actually shut down the engines in flight and caused the death of all on board because of his unfamiliarity with all the flight controls. Computers should aid the driver or pilot ....not replace him.

 

EVO did an article on analog supercars
EVO Tests Seven of the Greatest Analog Supercars - EVO Ferrari F40 McLaren F1 Video

 

+010101010101

These days drivers don't have to be alert to blindspots, lane discipline, parallel parking, or tailgating. The car does it all. No need to hone driving skills then.

 

Interesting article. I think he summed up my feelings on the Porsche Carrera GT. Fantastic car, but wanting to kill if you are not uber careful. A true race car for the road. No doubt the reason values have been climbing, and also a reason why so many end up off road.......

That which has allowed the horsepower war= computers - is also that which is annoying to many now because it's allowed us to make a 700+ HP RWD monster car in the form of the F12. So if you like your car purely analog, there are the cars from the past, they are all there, there are so many and you can get one.

But to sell cars these days, the objective of any car company, they need big power and lots of safety etc and to make you feel special somehow.

 

I agree, and people overlook how great a time it is now to own classic cars. Ironically, mobile phones and the Internet have made vintage/classic car ownership better than ever you can find cars, restorers, specialty mechanics, spares, advice, etc. And, if your old ride ever gets you into trouble, you've got your phone.

My dream garage doesn't really include anything made in the last 20 years. They've improved the power, but haven't improved the drama or the adrenalin rush.

 

I declared it the end when I got in a Mustang GT and saw that it had traction control I mean come on are you kidding me?
I will say however that I have electronic power steering in my S2000 and don't find it vague or numb it doesn't have the feeling of an early 911 but it is definitely not numb.

 

I know this is an odd comparison, but your first point really really hits home with me. I played competitive paintball for the last 15 or so years, over that time the guns and game itself has evolved into a video game almost. All the guns are electro-pneumatic where pulling the trigger 2-3 times per second produces a capped 12 balls per second. The game evolved to allow coaching to combat "bird dogging" and hand signals from onlookers. This basically made the coach the video gamer, and the players the game. We had a term called "joysticking" where the coach would say "ok do this, now do that, now duck down, ok hes not looking, shoot now" etc etc. just as if you were playing a video game. This past year this all changed, enough gripes from the older vets got the main league to change to a no coaching at all rule. They also lowered the rate of fire to 10BPS. It doesnt sound like a huge drop, but there is a massive difference with those extra 2 balls per second. The newer kids who didnt play the game how it was originally played are lost and the true talent of players is more evident then ever. You could be a semi competent player with a coach, and easily be able to hang with some of the top players in the world. Now without coaches, the skill levels are much more evident.

I can absolutely see how the addition of all these electronic nannies is making for a "softer" driver since they are not used to the feels of an unassisted car, just like how the new blood of paintball dont know how to play the game without the assistance of a coach barking orders.