'Advances' in technology
Discussion
What would you say are the 'advances' that have been made in motoring that you'd rather hadn't happened? also are there things you're hoping will happen?
the main thing i don't like is EPAS - The beenfits seem minimal yet in pretty much every example i've driven it has been inferior to hydraulics for steering feel etc. the downsides out-weigh the benefits
I'm also not convinced that all the technology put into recent diesel engines has much benefi compared to the cost/complexity it has added
I'd like to see further developments of in car entertainment and it's integration with other devices including cloud networks etc. it has come on along way recently but i think there's still a lot of room for improvement as it can often feel clunky
Although my knowledge on the subject is very limited Hydrogen fuelled cars seem to be the answer to a lot of motoring problems, i can' understand why this technology hasn't been developed quicker
the main thing i don't like is EPAS - The beenfits seem minimal yet in pretty much every example i've driven it has been inferior to hydraulics for steering feel etc. the downsides out-weigh the benefits
I'm also not convinced that all the technology put into recent diesel engines has much benefi compared to the cost/complexity it has added
I'd like to see further developments of in car entertainment and it's integration with other devices including cloud networks etc. it has come on along way recently but i think there's still a lot of room for improvement as it can often feel clunky
Although my knowledge on the subject is very limited Hydrogen fuelled cars seem to be the answer to a lot of motoring problems, i can' understand why this technology hasn't been developed quicker
EPAS.
Automated "manual" gearboxes.
Menu driven control systems/touch screens - the last thing I want when I'm driving is to have to look at a screen to use a menu.
The recent advances in turbocharging that have lead to it being used for the sake of fuel economy on almost every engine out there.
HiD lights.
Automated "manual" gearboxes.
Menu driven control systems/touch screens - the last thing I want when I'm driving is to have to look at a screen to use a menu.
The recent advances in turbocharging that have lead to it being used for the sake of fuel economy on almost every engine out there.
HiD lights.
Linked brakes on motorbikes, it's got two brake controls, I'll decide when to use them thanks, I don't mind the rear coming on when I brake the front, but if I brake the rear it's for a reason and I don't want the front coming on.
BRMMA said:
I'm also not convinced that all the technology put into recent diesel engines has much benefit compared to the cost/complexity it has added
Double the power for the same fuel economy but I admit the reliability has generally decreased.kambites said:
BRMMA said:
Although my knowledge on the subject is very limited Hydrogen fuelled cars seem to be the answer to a lot of motoring problems, i can' understand why this technology hasn't been developed quicker
Because they're monstrously inefficient. I'm not one who has such an aversion to visiting petrol stations to need a diesel with a 1000mile range but 60miles is ridiculous.
MysteryLemon said:
Electronic handbrakes.
Why? Advance in technology or just step back in laziness? My wallet would disagree that it was an advance when it took a £850 hit to fix the one on our Scenic...
Gotta agree there. Just to make this a little more painful for you - it only cost a friend of a friend £750 to replace the unit on his Audi A8!!Why? Advance in technology or just step back in laziness? My wallet would disagree that it was an advance when it took a £850 hit to fix the one on our Scenic...
'Social Network Integration'
Like the ability to access Facebook through your car is of any real benefit to anyone.
tenpenceshort said:
EPAS allows a reduction in fuel use, as well as systems that can steer for you (such as auto parking). The finer points of steering feel are irrelevant for 99% of the driving population.
Yeah i get the fuel efficiency angle, though i'm not convinced it makes much difference (compare the 911 with DFI engine and then look at the MPG difference between a 997 & 991 and it's relatively small considering all the improvements in other areas too)why do you need electric steering for things such as auto parking? can the electronics not input to the hydraulic system? though i appreciate it would be easier with an all ectric setup
Thing is, it's never "just one advantage". Lets take EPAS as an example:
ADVANTAGES:
1) Co2 improvement over both NEDC and in the real world: (that alone means it's going to be used)
2) Cheaper system than conventional PAS: (again, that's enough on it's own)
3) Simpler integration and design: (no engine mounted pump, reservoirs, pipe work etc)
4) Enabler for extra functionality: (Park assist, lane guidance, stability augmentation, drive "modes" etc)
5) Reduces production costs: (quicker, easier build, without having to fill with fluid or connect pipework etc)
6) Increased reliability & less servicing: (no fluid, or pipes to leak)
7) Integrated diagnostics: The system is self diagnosing.
DISADVANTAGES:
1) Can increase the inertia of steering systems, reducing response and "feel"
Pretty clear cut that one!
ADVANTAGES:
1) Co2 improvement over both NEDC and in the real world: (that alone means it's going to be used)
2) Cheaper system than conventional PAS: (again, that's enough on it's own)
3) Simpler integration and design: (no engine mounted pump, reservoirs, pipe work etc)
4) Enabler for extra functionality: (Park assist, lane guidance, stability augmentation, drive "modes" etc)
5) Reduces production costs: (quicker, easier build, without having to fill with fluid or connect pipework etc)
6) Increased reliability & less servicing: (no fluid, or pipes to leak)
7) Integrated diagnostics: The system is self diagnosing.
DISADVANTAGES:
1) Can increase the inertia of steering systems, reducing response and "feel"
Pretty clear cut that one!
I have to disagree about HID headlamps, I have them on my Volvo V70 and miss them on my C70 when driving at night on an empty road. Less of a benefit on motorways etc so I can see why you might not be that enamoured with them if you mostly drive in SE England or similar.
I also like all the emissions technology on diesels very much indeed. So Steven the Skinflint gets a few less MPG and has a higher running cost over a long period but chokes the world in s
tty black soot a hell of a lot less, seems like a fair deal to me. I don't think I could in any conscience own a diesel vehicle without a particulate filter - maybe I'm just not as selfish as the people that gut the DPF on their car because their pub science tells them it doesn't do anything anyway?
I also have no issue with EPAS, most everyday cars steered like st with a hydraulic system and it seems to make them no worse in my experience.
I seem to be alone on PH in that I generally don't dislike the technology in new cars. It means my everyday car is very quiet, efficient comfortable, refined, extremely reliable and safe. I'm sure a lot of it is some weird fake macho "I take the fuse out of my power steering because I'm so strong I'll tear the wheel off otherwise" bullst. A lot of the people that say it would cry like a little girl if you made them drive everywhere in a 1985 family hatchback.
If you like the way older cars drive then that's fine, there are lots of them still around. I have a 20 year old scruffy MX5 for when I want to get vibration white finger of the arse, but I tend to choose something else when I need to make a 6 hour journey. I spend the last year doing 25,000 miles in it so perhaps it's given me a real appreciation for the technology in modern cars.
I also like all the emissions technology on diesels very much indeed. So Steven the Skinflint gets a few less MPG and has a higher running cost over a long period but chokes the world in s
tty black soot a hell of a lot less, seems like a fair deal to me. I don't think I could in any conscience own a diesel vehicle without a particulate filter - maybe I'm just not as selfish as the people that gut the DPF on their car because their pub science tells them it doesn't do anything anyway?I also have no issue with EPAS, most everyday cars steered like s
t with a hydraulic system and it seems to make them no worse in my experience.I seem to be alone on PH in that I generally don't dislike the technology in new cars. It means my everyday car is very quiet, efficient comfortable, refined, extremely reliable and safe. I'm sure a lot of it is some weird fake macho "I take the fuse out of my power steering because I'm so strong I'll tear the wheel off otherwise" bulls
t. A lot of the people that say it would cry like a little girl if you made them drive everywhere in a 1985 family hatchback.If you like the way older cars drive then that's fine, there are lots of them still around. I have a 20 year old scruffy MX5 for when I want to get vibration white finger of the arse, but I tend to choose something else when I need to make a 6 hour journey. I spend the last year doing 25,000 miles in it so perhaps it's given me a real appreciation for the technology in modern cars.
Edited by dme123 on Tuesday 26th August 11:00
RizzoTheRat said:
BRMMA said:
I'm also not convinced that all the technology put into recent diesel engines has much benefit compared to the cost/complexity it has added
Double the power for the same fuel economy but I admit the reliability has generally decreased.Max_Torque said:
Thing is, it's never "just one advantage". Lets take EPAS as an example:
ADVANTAGES:
1) Co2 improvement over both NEDC and in the real world: (that alone means it's going to be used)
2) Cheaper system than conventional PAS: (again, that's enough on it's own)
3) Simpler integration and design: (no engine mounted pump, reservoirs, pipe work etc)
4) Enabler for extra functionality: (Park assist, lane guidance, stability augmentation, drive "modes" etc)
5) Reduces production costs: (quicker, easier build, without having to fill with fluid or connect pipework etc)
6) Increased reliability & less servicing: (no fluid, or pipes to leak)
7) Integrated diagnostics: The system is self diagnosing.
DISADVANTAGES:
1) Can increase the inertia of steering systems, reducing response and "feel"
Pretty clear cut that one!
To an engineer it is, but to an end user?ADVANTAGES:
1) Co2 improvement over both NEDC and in the real world: (that alone means it's going to be used)
2) Cheaper system than conventional PAS: (again, that's enough on it's own)
3) Simpler integration and design: (no engine mounted pump, reservoirs, pipe work etc)
4) Enabler for extra functionality: (Park assist, lane guidance, stability augmentation, drive "modes" etc)
5) Reduces production costs: (quicker, easier build, without having to fill with fluid or connect pipework etc)
6) Increased reliability & less servicing: (no fluid, or pipes to leak)
7) Integrated diagnostics: The system is self diagnosing.
DISADVANTAGES:
1) Can increase the inertia of steering systems, reducing response and "feel"
Pretty clear cut that one!
1) Co2 improvement over both NEDC and in the real world: By how much really? Probably enough for the fleet buyer to care, but for the end users?
2) Cheaper system than conventional PAS: How much per car really?
3) Simpler integration and design: End user doesn't care, aside from the cost per vehicle.
4) Enabler for extra functionality: Functionality that no-one needs nore cares about, delivered by manufacturers as a USP.
5) Reduces production costs: How much per car really?
6) Increased reliability & less servicing: I doubt that. HydPAS is proven tech and I don't hear of many issues concidering how many systems there are world wide.
7) Integrated diagnostics: End user doesn't care.
This is a tech that delivers many on-paper advantages, but when you look at the primary function of the steering system, it is not as good as the hydraulic systems. It is forced upon us by CO2 legislation and manufacturer toy counts.
Stability control, the only examples I've driven (early volvo ones) were dangerously st & stopped the car being able to corner.
Power steering with no feel as mentioned already.
Computers everywhere, it just makes it harder to fix the car. Take the older model, save as much weight as the new one did & watch the MPGs match anyway.
Electronic handbrakes, the answer to a question that doesn't exist.
Super wizzy woo diffs in FWD cars. Technology that only exists to try & make up for the failure to design them as RWD to start with.
DRLs. As said, they should be on the rear too.
Finally - ergonomics, the more times you hear it mentioned about a design the more uncomfy the driving position is.
t & stopped the car being able to corner.Power steering with no feel as mentioned already.
Computers everywhere, it just makes it harder to fix the car. Take the older model, save as much weight as the new one did & watch the MPGs match anyway.
Electronic handbrakes, the answer to a question that doesn't exist.
Super wizzy woo diffs in FWD cars. Technology that only exists to try & make up for the failure to design them as RWD to start with.
DRLs. As said, they should be on the rear too.
Finally - ergonomics, the more times you hear it mentioned about a design the more uncomfy the driving position is.
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