Why is sportiness rated so high nowadays?
Discussion
Nearly every manufacturer has one or more "sports" models in their range. Car reviews tend to focus on handling issues - how does that 2+ ton SUV/luxury saloon handle in 200km/h+ situations etc.
In reality, urban traffic and autobahns are clogged up - why dont the manufacturers offer a "comfort"/cruise option as well? I am talking of a wafting, smooth ride as in an XJ12 S3 or W140 SEL.
Why the "sport" craze?
In reality, urban traffic and autobahns are clogged up - why dont the manufacturers offer a "comfort"/cruise option as well? I am talking of a wafting, smooth ride as in an XJ12 S3 or W140 SEL.
Why the "sport" craze?
Rushmore said:
Why the "sport" craze?
ImageA lot of people want to project an image -to others- of being a "go-getting achiever who drives fast between important events and extreme sports activities"
Even if the reality is just a 9-5 office job with an erratic, tail-gating, busy motorway commute and trips to the Trafford centre at weekends in a harshly-suspended, over-wheeled-and-tyred saloon(preferably German), SUV or people carrier.
In 99% of cases, the "sport" model most manufacturers make is merely a trim level with no added performance. Like many "lifestyle" SUVs etc, the buying public seems to hanker after a certain image regardless of the fact that it is often more show then go with most sport trim level cars 
I think Audi are largely responsible for this.
Their market image seems totally about "sportiness". Some of the Audis I've encountered have boring diesel engines and stupidly stiff suspension that seems at odds with the rest of the mechanicals, but that's okay because the wheels are enormous and there are lots of little shadowline trim bits and brushed aluminium trim inserts to make you think you're in behind the wheel of a technological tour-de-force that's ready to take anyone on.
Then you drive like that.
Their market image seems totally about "sportiness". Some of the Audis I've encountered have boring diesel engines and stupidly stiff suspension that seems at odds with the rest of the mechanicals, but that's okay because the wheels are enormous and there are lots of little shadowline trim bits and brushed aluminium trim inserts to make you think you're in behind the wheel of a technological tour-de-force that's ready to take anyone on.
Then you drive like that.
And what I like most is the Porsche (but also found at Audi and BMW) Minimal Increase in Performance We Call It "S" But Could Have Done It Right From The Beginning ("PMIIPWCISBCHDIRFTB") move:
"The new (insert model name here) "S" (or "RS", or "S4" or: "4S" or: "GTS" or "GTS4") has newly designed (add 1" to the standard spec factory wheels diameter) inch alloys, a 5mm lowered suspension (what a BIG difference), improved brakes and bigger brake discs (of course - no need to get the brakes right for the standard spec model), a 5mm smaller steering wheel, a leather-clad gearknob (hurrah!!!!), "discreet" (what is discreet about it when you put a badge on your car??????) "S" (or "RS", or "S4" or: "4S" or: "GTS" or "GTS4") badges and (wait), ADDITIONAL 25 HP (in addition to the 330HP the car already has - BIG difference) by reworking the electronic blabla thingy.
Motor hacks will write reviews full of crap, how great the car is now and how much is has improved over the standard spec, and, yes, you can really feel the difference when doing Nordschleife (which none of the cars will ever do) at 3am in the morning.
GERMAN RANT OVER.
"The new (insert model name here) "S" (or "RS", or "S4" or: "4S" or: "GTS" or "GTS4") has newly designed (add 1" to the standard spec factory wheels diameter) inch alloys, a 5mm lowered suspension (what a BIG difference), improved brakes and bigger brake discs (of course - no need to get the brakes right for the standard spec model), a 5mm smaller steering wheel, a leather-clad gearknob (hurrah!!!!), "discreet" (what is discreet about it when you put a badge on your car??????) "S" (or "RS", or "S4" or: "4S" or: "GTS" or "GTS4") badges and (wait), ADDITIONAL 25 HP (in addition to the 330HP the car already has - BIG difference) by reworking the electronic blabla thingy.
Motor hacks will write reviews full of crap, how great the car is now and how much is has improved over the standard spec, and, yes, you can really feel the difference when doing Nordschleife (which none of the cars will ever do) at 3am in the morning.
GERMAN RANT OVER.
Edited by Rushmore on Saturday 9th June 16:31
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