The future of the performance car??
Discussion
An extended trip in an i3 tonight got me thinking about the future of the performance car. The instant torque delivery, sharp throttle response and excellent modulation are all characteristics that would fit the profile. I know we have the P1, 918, La Ferrari and the i8 but what about the rest of the market? I am thinking mostly about the mid/high level premium hot hatch, such as the A45, RS3, RS275, CTR etc.. How could this, currently high end technology, be used in these applications?
How long will it be until we see this tech at the lower end of the market?
How far can it be taken, 350hp & 50mpg+ ?
What would be your ideal car using hybrid drive, torque fill, regen etc?
My ideal setup would be a Golf sized car with a petrol turbo engine driving the front wheels through an e-lsd (1.5 BMW 3cyl?) and an electric motor driving the rear wheels with torque vectoring. No turbo lag thanks to torque fill, N/A like response and a huge torque/power range. Battery would be built into the floor plan for low COG. 350-400hp and the potential to achieve 50mpg. Drive would be instant, huge potential for adjustable active handling and not to mention great real world economy. So basically a backwards i8 setup with a single electric motor. All we need now, is the cost to fall and the range to improve, then we can really reap the benefits of the electric age.
Your thoughts?
How long will it be until we see this tech at the lower end of the market?
How far can it be taken, 350hp & 50mpg+ ?
What would be your ideal car using hybrid drive, torque fill, regen etc?
My ideal setup would be a Golf sized car with a petrol turbo engine driving the front wheels through an e-lsd (1.5 BMW 3cyl?) and an electric motor driving the rear wheels with torque vectoring. No turbo lag thanks to torque fill, N/A like response and a huge torque/power range. Battery would be built into the floor plan for low COG. 350-400hp and the potential to achieve 50mpg. Drive would be instant, huge potential for adjustable active handling and not to mention great real world economy. So basically a backwards i8 setup with a single electric motor. All we need now, is the cost to fall and the range to improve, then we can really reap the benefits of the electric age.
Your thoughts?
All depends what floats your boat, being a dinasaur I will always go for a thirsty V8 which is why I've ordered a RHD Mustang. My neighbour who is younger than me has a Tesla that plugs into the wall.
I guess someone younger than me will be able to answer your question, but when hybrids take over and the roar of the NA V8 is gone, something will be missing for me.
I guess someone younger than me will be able to answer your question, but when hybrids take over and the roar of the NA V8 is gone, something will be missing for me.
I cant wait for electric cars to become the norm. Instant throttle response, torque whenever you want and lovely linear power delivery throughout whatever replaces the rev range are all wonderful things .
Ingm not fussed about noise and the cheaper a car is to run the better imo
The bit that worries me is badly tuned epas but thats not an electric car issue as much as a modern car issue.
Ingm not fussed about noise and the cheaper a car is to run the better imo
The bit that worries me is badly tuned epas but thats not an electric car issue as much as a modern car issue.
Great choice on the Mustang! Did you go with the track pack? As for the electric vs fossil fuel debate. I think that the electric drive technology can be used to keep the likes of the Mustang V8 alive in the future, in two ways. 1. Electric drive can be used to augment traditional engines to reduce emissions, and thus allow the manufacturer to continue with that otherwise outdated engine. 2. The appearance of more electric cars within the manufacturers range will reduce group c02, and will allow for the odd 'dinosaur' to creep through.
So you see. The future isn't so bad after all.
So you see. The future isn't so bad after all.
I'm in the two car garage camp. For me, Electric power will always represent efficiency and consideration for the environment and the ICE and will always represent 'proper' driving.
I was born in '89 so the cheap cars I started out with had throttles and clutches actuated by a cable. They had a gearbox in which you had to navigate the ratios yourself. They had brakes which weren't horrendously over-assisted and steering which mechanically connected your fingertips to the road via the front tyres. Stability and traction control were systems fitted to very powerful or luxurious cars only. The car would probably come with an airbag or two and weigh little more than a ton.
No matter how much technology you throw at it, no matter how many engine sound effects you play in, you will never replicate the sensory experience that is driving a car similar to or earlier than the one described above.
I was born in '89 so the cheap cars I started out with had throttles and clutches actuated by a cable. They had a gearbox in which you had to navigate the ratios yourself. They had brakes which weren't horrendously over-assisted and steering which mechanically connected your fingertips to the road via the front tyres. Stability and traction control were systems fitted to very powerful or luxurious cars only. The car would probably come with an airbag or two and weigh little more than a ton.
No matter how much technology you throw at it, no matter how many engine sound effects you play in, you will never replicate the sensory experience that is driving a car similar to or earlier than the one described above.
Hybrid nonsense? With the advancements in battery technology and motor efficiency, the plug in hybrid performance car will be a reality. Hopefully the technology will allow us to continue enjoying the combustion engine well into this century. There will be a place for pure electric cars of course, but it doesn't mean that we have to abandon good old fossil power!
The way I see it, everyday cars will be powered by an alternative fuel (most likely electric) and the relatively small performance car market will use hybrid technology (smaller turbo engine backed by an electric motor).
As for diesel engines, they wont even be on the radar.
All of this future technology will allow us to keep the petrol engine going, and will also benefit performance and response. I agree with the conclusion that the response and character of a naturally aspirated engine cannot be replicated, however we need to be realistic with the future of the performance car.
In the meantime we should all enjoy the falling prices of the current generation performance cars and put the thoughts of fuel economy on the shelf....
The way I see it, everyday cars will be powered by an alternative fuel (most likely electric) and the relatively small performance car market will use hybrid technology (smaller turbo engine backed by an electric motor).
As for diesel engines, they wont even be on the radar.
All of this future technology will allow us to keep the petrol engine going, and will also benefit performance and response. I agree with the conclusion that the response and character of a naturally aspirated engine cannot be replicated, however we need to be realistic with the future of the performance car.
In the meantime we should all enjoy the falling prices of the current generation performance cars and put the thoughts of fuel economy on the shelf....
lou556 said:
Hybrid nonsense? With the advancements in battery technology and motor efficiency, the plug in hybrid performance car will be a reality. Hopefully the technology will allow us to continue enjoying the combustion engine well into this century. There will be a place for pure electric cars of course, but it doesn't mean that we have to abandon good old fossil power!
The way I see it, everyday cars will be powered by an alternative fuel (most likely electric) and the relatively small performance car market will use hybrid technology (smaller turbo engine backed by an electric motor).
As for diesel engines, they wont even be on the radar.
All of this future technology will allow us to keep the petrol engine going, and will also benefit performance and response. I agree with the conclusion that the response and character of a naturally aspirated engine cannot be replicated, however we need to be realistic with the future of the performance car.
In the meantime we should all enjoy the falling prices of the current generation performance cars and put the thoughts of fuel economy on the shelf....
Well it is hybrid nonsense surely............The way I see it, everyday cars will be powered by an alternative fuel (most likely electric) and the relatively small performance car market will use hybrid technology (smaller turbo engine backed by an electric motor).
As for diesel engines, they wont even be on the radar.
All of this future technology will allow us to keep the petrol engine going, and will also benefit performance and response. I agree with the conclusion that the response and character of a naturally aspirated engine cannot be replicated, however we need to be realistic with the future of the performance car.
In the meantime we should all enjoy the falling prices of the current generation performance cars and put the thoughts of fuel economy on the shelf....
Every time you convert energy (oil to electric, coal to electric, gas to electric, etc.) you lose a fair bit of efficiency, and seeing as most of our electricity is generated from non-renewable oil or gas it would surely be more efficient to just burn oil (as many of us do) or gas to propel the car in the first place. Or maybe install a nuclear reactor drive system?.............
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