1st gen tech - is it ever good enough?

[AW111]

I was thinking about this reading the ABS thread.

1st gen ABS (single/dual channel) was pretty st. Gave me a few brown trouser moments.
1st gen double clutch autos / automated manuals have a pretty bad rep in auto mode around town.
Early (Lucas) EFI.
Traction control.
Electric PAS.
Drive by wire throttles.

All of these have improved significantly with later generations, but were they "good enough" when first released?

Was any major new technology?

[kambites]

Those things were all designed to provide incremental improvements compared to an existing technology. I think there have been completely new things which have been worthwhile in their first generation.

[redstu]

Its natural and normal for tech to improve, if the developers waited until it was perfect thren it probably wouldnt make it to production.

[crosseyedlion]

Electric Windows

[AW111]

I think EFI was pretty good from day one, if you ignore the Lucas issue, which I believe came down to a badly designed fuel pump only.

I don't expect perfection from day one, of course not, but some technologies are seriously underdone when launched.

Electric windows as mentioned above were ok, also electric mirrors, wipers, washers. Loads of useful minor stuff - I don't really know where I'm going with this...

[Captain Muppet]

Honda still bang on about a lack of warranty claims on VTEC, and the first VTEC engines did deliver 100bhp/litre while still giving the same low down torque as a normal engine of the same capacity.

[anonymous-user]

I'm pretty sure that ETC has always worked properly, otherwise you'd have people spearing off left right and centre as their throttle plate did something the pedal hadn't asked for!

[lexusboy]

MK1 Prius

[Garybee]

Have 'drive by wire' throttles improved significantly? My '98 BMW 328 has his type of throttle and it seems fine.

[BGarside]

1st gen. could be better, if it was more thoroughly engineered to prevent embarassing issues for manufacturers, as opposed to cost-reduced later on when such things become routine fitments?

Also, such things may originally have been premium-priced luxury options rather than being seen as basic requirements fitted to all cars, so there may have been more cash available to spend designing / building such technology originally. E.g: Look at the cost of specifying aircon or ABS on a 1980s Mercedes.

My father has a first-generation Flymo which is still working after some 40-odd years. The newer stuff appears to be cheap carp in comparison.

Compare also the quality of construction of early radios, TVs, etc...

[McWigglebum4th]

lexusboy said:

MK1 Prius

I would say Mk1 insight

100Mpg and weighs zilch


Still not bettered

[Captain Muppet]

McWigglebum4th said:

I would say Mk1 insight

100Mpg and weighs zilch


Still not bettered

Mk1 Citroen AX Diesel. 100mpg, weighs less and has more seats. Also it was first.

Admittedly it does that without resorting to any clever new technology, but that doesn't make the Insight "better", just much more expensive to manufacture.

Although as a "1st gen" hybrid it works very well and is certainly good enough.

[BL Fanboy]

currybum said:

100mpg out of a Citroen AX diesel? really, I would be surprised if you averaged half that.

Not sure about the 100mpg claim as an average but I got 55 mpg urban with a Saxo diesel which I assume has a similar drivetrain but is heavier. >50 mpg from an AX certainly.

[BL Fanboy]

BGarside said:

Compare also the quality of construction of early radios, TVs, etc...

No thanks, have you looked inside early tellies and the latest tellies? Crikey, with the old stuff I'm sure Prince Philip would have something to say about them.