PH Blog: the death of the scary supercar
Garlick's impressed by the SLS's usability but bemoans the loss of the fear factor
About six years ago I had my first drive of a Lamborghini after years of dreaming about the Countach and being in no doubt that a Diablo would kill me immediately due to my lack of driving prowess. I was nervous as my drive was to take me down a soaking wet motorway from Manchester to London and the car I was driving was a Gallardo with E-gear and it was ... easy. Too easy. Audi climate control kept the screen clear, I could see out of the large mirrors, the ’box was simple to use and it was all rather pleasant. Within 30 minutes I was listening to Radio 2 with relaxed posture and that was that. Sure it would go fast but it was happy playing the role of cruiser. Try that in a Countach. It seems the modern mainstream supercar has become a very simple tool to use; there are exceptions of course but I’m speaking broadly.
Right now there is an SLS Roadster sitting in the PH car park which has 571hp from a rather vocal V8, it can travel at 197mph and gets to 60mph in 3.8 seconds. If I handed the keys to my nan (who has an automatic only licence) she could drive it home happily holding up queues of traffic at 22mph as she peers over the wheel. It’s that easy to drive. I love the SLS with all my heart and scariness is merely a few button presses away, but this is a genuine supercar you could drive with one arm on the armrest, at 30mph listening to The Archers without breaking a sweat. (Or go to the ’ring and lap in 7:40, same as a 911 GT3 – Ed.)
A few weeks prior I was in a Caterham for the commute. It was hot, it was loud, the clutch hated traffic and the harnesses ruined my shirt. When I finally managed to prise myself out of it my clothes smelt of exhaust fumes. You were left in no doubt as to the fact that you were driving something made for track use before road use. Same goes for the TVR in a way, the clutch gets a bit upset with too much crawling traffic, the cabin gets hot and it still commands my respect in damp corners to this day. But, if I want to travel any distance in comfort I’ll take the Lexus, the TVR isn’t owned as a do-it-all car.
In an age where anything and everything is possible I miss the reputation that supercars used to have. When I take one out I want it to make me sweat, I want it to make my palms sticky and for it to sit on the drive growling as it scares pedestrians and gives the impression it wants to kill me and run off with the Mrs. I’m not sure I’m ready to have my flat white extra shot in a cupholder next to my iPhone as the car drives me along in comfort at 180mph while I rush back to meet the chap from Ocado … not yet anyway.
Garlick
When you take your TVR / Lotus Esprit / early 911 out and it's raining you do get sweaty palms and white knuckles (?) But the rewards are good. You know the reason you haven't crashed is because you are in control, or a driving god, or a bit scared.
Good bragging rights too. You can dismiss all talk of tcs,abs,understeer control etc etc - you, the driver are the control.
Go back to early F1 to the likes of Moss, Stewart, Hunt, fittpaldi etc - did they have all the driver "aids" no. Is it any wonder that the Caterhams and all their clones are so popular? Real driving. Be afraid.
And can you still find a scary supercar by jumping in a lambo?
Also the the CLK GTR seems like a handful
Nothing wrong with progress and change. But why take the skill / decisions away from the driver? Have you ever driven a supercar? Try an early E type. 200 bhp 140mph and f-all brakes and very suspect handling.... Didn't need ABS as you couldn't lock the wheels.
Crossply tyres? a lot of racing covers are crossply.
I must draw attention to this para too
Scary cars exist, Noble, Atom etc, but the mainstream cars (from GTR to the hottest of 911's/ latest Ferrari) are easy enough to jump in a drive to the shops. Manhandle your way into a 15 year old Lambo and within minutes you'll have a sore leg, will have reversed into a wall and just as you reach the Apex outside the newsagent the back will step out on you as you wrestle with the manual shift through the gate.
Grrr, that's a manly supercar. Scare me!
You can't see out of the fogged up rear screen and the wing mirrors move themselves.
Nothing wrong with progress and change. But why take the skill / decisions away from the driver? Have you ever driven a supercar? Try an early E type. 200 bhp 140mph and f-all brakes and very suspect handling.... Didn't need ABS as you couldn't lock the wheels.
Crossply tyres? a lot of racing covers are crossply.
These are road cars, not race cars. I think people confuse the two quite a lot, or at least like to think they're hammering down the Mulsanne on the 24h when realistically they're bumper to bumper on the M25.
I'm pretty sure my Merc had a steering box
A lot of people always make this comment... but I've never seen a journalist get their nan to drive a supercar. Can we have your gran test drive the SLS and your TVR back to back (on video) to see how she gets on please. Thanks in advance! ;-)
A lot of people always make this comment... but I've never seen a journalist get their nan to drive a supercar. Can we have your gran test drive the SLS and your TVR back to back (on video) to see how she gets on please. Thanks in advance! ;-)
Hope she doesn't read this...
I reckon the 'usability' is the key to the SLS's success. Without that, Merc may never have built it as it wouldn't have sold in the same numbers. I suspect SLS is having your cake & eating it too. If so, no harm that & possibiliy less of a need for a two car garage either.
A lot of people always make this comment... but I've never seen a journalist get their nan to drive a supercar. Can we have your gran test drive the SLS and your TVR back to back (on video) to see how she gets on please. Thanks in advance! ;-)
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