RE: McLaren renews engine contract with Ricardo

[R400TVR]

Munter said:

I think Tesla have disproved that.

No they haven't! A Tesla is a glorified milk float - no character, no soul, no interaction. They may be fast off the line, and fine around a built up area, but they are no driver's car by any stretch of the imagination.

[R400TVR]

Munter said:

Like it or not.

You're ability to use PH quoting is poor.

But seriously. Tesla have a very desirable range of cars. People want them. Most can't afford them. But they want them. Because they are stylish and the numbers (particularly in ludicrous mode) are daft. Your modern buyer doesn't care so much about how the numbers are made. Certainly future buyers don't if we're talking residual values.

This comment is why all fossil fuel cars, and all real petrolheads are a dying breed. It starts with modes, then electric steering, then self drive, then the inevitable ban on fossil fueled vehicles, then all design and individuality will be erased.

[R400TVR]

Salamura said:

It's one thing designing an engine from scratch, it's another thing taking engineering responsibility for an existing power unit and making changes in calibration or for costdown, manufacturing, reliability etc, which is what McLaren are doing. It's unlikely that they can design an engine from scratch only using the design team they have in house without a major consultant showing them how it's done.

I believe the engine wasn't designed from the ground up, but was based on a Nissan engine called the VRH.

[HJG]

All that remains from that 'Nissan' engine is the bore spacing. That is all.

[jontysafe]

I personally believe that once we get out of our heads that decent everyday transport must be fast beautiful and most of all fun, then and only then will actual fun cars that don’t have all the compromises to every day usability will become commonplace and affordable. Heck even do away with being road legal and lorks a malarkey invest in existing and new racetracks around the world.
I know it goes against ever petrol filled vein in my body but give me the option of safe autonomous travel and I’d be all over it.