What is the point of Pistonheads?
Discussion
Having just read another PH article on an EV I'm starting to wonder what's the point. Its not the car journalists fault. EV cars are the future. They are just so boring to read about.
They either have an electric motor at the rear or one at the front and the rear, and that's about it. The difference between different EV's is now all about the infotainment. I tried to get interested when they came out. Tesla has some nice videos of how they overcame eddy current problems at different RPMs to increase performance.
I switch off when the journo tries to say how the power negatives the huge overall weight, and how surprisingly well it goes around corners when it seems obvious to me its relative to driving a bus.
Twenty years ago I thought the EU laws making all cars look the same was the end of the car journalist, but I was obviously wrong. The march of EVs is the end of car journalism because they are just so simple in design and they are all the same.
So please someone post something on here which is actually interesting about EVs to keep me as a car enthusiast.
( I have to say my next car will be an EV. Will be buying one prior to retirement because with the government subsidies on tax and the future as it is, it will be impossible not to have one. I just will have no enjoyment in it as a car)
They either have an electric motor at the rear or one at the front and the rear, and that's about it. The difference between different EV's is now all about the infotainment. I tried to get interested when they came out. Tesla has some nice videos of how they overcame eddy current problems at different RPMs to increase performance.
I switch off when the journo tries to say how the power negatives the huge overall weight, and how surprisingly well it goes around corners when it seems obvious to me its relative to driving a bus.
Twenty years ago I thought the EU laws making all cars look the same was the end of the car journalist, but I was obviously wrong. The march of EVs is the end of car journalism because they are just so simple in design and they are all the same.
So please someone post something on here which is actually interesting about EVs to keep me as a car enthusiast.
( I have to say my next car will be an EV. Will be buying one prior to retirement because with the government subsidies on tax and the future as it is, it will be impossible not to have one. I just will have no enjoyment in it as a car)
I have a subscription to CAR magazine which I just flick through now as they review yet another version of the awful looking big electric BMW SUV thingy. Ditto, much of what PH reviews I ignore too, preferring to focus on what real people say once the conversation starts.
I doubt there is much real opinion voiced by motoring journalists anymore as they won't be on the next flight so somewhere hot for the next 2.5 tonne launch if they say anything slightly negative.
I doubt there is much real opinion voiced by motoring journalists anymore as they won't be on the next flight so somewhere hot for the next 2.5 tonne launch if they say anything slightly negative.
If I go to the PH home page, out of the first 10 stories, 2 are on EVs (including the Lotus article)
There are plenty of topics and discussions on here that aren't EVs. I think perhaps in 10 years your question might be more valid, but who knows where EVs will be then.
So at the moment I don't see that much to complain about. I have no interest in diesel cars, I am sure there have been plenty of articles on those over the years, but there's been a lot of alternatives on here to keep me happy.
There are plenty of topics and discussions on here that aren't EVs. I think perhaps in 10 years your question might be more valid, but who knows where EVs will be then.
So at the moment I don't see that much to complain about. I have no interest in diesel cars, I am sure there have been plenty of articles on those over the years, but there's been a lot of alternatives on here to keep me happy.
It's still early days, with demand exceeding supply - once things get on an even keel the manufacturers are going to have to think of ways to differentiate their product. I'd have thought that batteries with a better energy:weight ratio would be a battleground yet to be fought, there's a lot of weight to lose.
It's not that unusual for all of the cars in a group test to have pretty much the same technical spec, though - bunch of 16V four cylinder two litre front drive hot hatches back in the 90's, or two litre turbo automatic ones these days.
It's not that unusual for all of the cars in a group test to have pretty much the same technical spec, though - bunch of 16V four cylinder two litre front drive hot hatches back in the 90's, or two litre turbo automatic ones these days.
It’ll come with time, for now everyone is making shopping cars and suv alike crossovers etc.
I’m waiting for something a bit exciting to pique my interest but I’m still waiting.
Ie, no one yet is focussing on a lightweight EV.
It’s a required task but while no one cares, it won’t get done.
KE >> regen, so who cares if it’s heavy in the bends?
High weight vs unsprung gives a smoother ride quality, so don’t need fancy suspension or wheels.
It’s all definitely in the zone of appealing for ‘normal’ cars right now.
I imagine the early days of ICE was like this. Then once they were everywhere people wanted something more… and started racing them etc.
The journalists don’t help though. Sponsoring has led to dull vanilla reviews.
I’m waiting for something a bit exciting to pique my interest but I’m still waiting.
Ie, no one yet is focussing on a lightweight EV.
It’s a required task but while no one cares, it won’t get done.
KE >> regen, so who cares if it’s heavy in the bends?
High weight vs unsprung gives a smoother ride quality, so don’t need fancy suspension or wheels.
It’s all definitely in the zone of appealing for ‘normal’ cars right now.
I imagine the early days of ICE was like this. Then once they were everywhere people wanted something more… and started racing them etc.
The journalists don’t help though. Sponsoring has led to dull vanilla reviews.
I have nothing interesting to say about EVs because, err, they’re not very interesting.
However, I would comment that if you dislike them so much or derive such little pressure from them, why are you planning on buying one? Yes, I know you’ve suggested financial reasons, but then you wouldn’t be buying a new car at the price they cost nowadays if you are broke would you. Just get yourself an interesting petrol motor as a retirement present and enjoy it for as long as you can.
However, I would comment that if you dislike them so much or derive such little pressure from them, why are you planning on buying one? Yes, I know you’ve suggested financial reasons, but then you wouldn’t be buying a new car at the price they cost nowadays if you are broke would you. Just get yourself an interesting petrol motor as a retirement present and enjoy it for as long as you can.
Yep, given up on car magazines now. The last one I bought had reviews of long term staff cars including the reason why they had it on the staff fleet. One of a fairly mundane hybrid thing stated the reason they had it was because it was a mid sized family saloon. It cost just shy of £50k.
There are now and will certainly be more things in the future that are great about EVs.
Its not that EVs per se are dull, just the market segments the majority have been released into are dull - and are aimed squarely at large sales volumes - to make money.
If PH only released reviews etc of Vauxhall Insignia 1.4s, Nissan Qashqai 1.5D or Renault Megane 1.2 then the same criticisms would likely apply. Then we could be rebranded to What Car? The 'interesting' EVs will follow.
Its not that EVs per se are dull, just the market segments the majority have been released into are dull - and are aimed squarely at large sales volumes - to make money.
If PH only released reviews etc of Vauxhall Insignia 1.4s, Nissan Qashqai 1.5D or Renault Megane 1.2 then the same criticisms would likely apply. Then we could be rebranded to What Car? The 'interesting' EVs will follow.
Mr Whippy said:
It’ll come with time, for now everyone is making shopping cars and suv alike crossovers etc.
I’m waiting for something a bit exciting to pique my interest but I’m still waiting.
Ie, no one yet is focussing on a lightweight EV.
It’s a required task but while no one cares, it won’t get done.
KE >> regen, so who cares if it’s heavy in the bends?
High weight vs unsprung gives a smoother ride quality, so don’t need fancy suspension or wheels.
It’s all definitely in the zone of appealing for ‘normal’ cars right now.
I imagine the early days of ICE was like this. Then once they were everywhere people wanted something more… and started racing them etc.
The journalists don’t help though. Sponsoring has led to dull vanilla reviews.
Everyone became obsessed with range because once or twice a year they do a journey longer than 200 miles but forget by that point they usually need a pee or something and stop anyway….I’m waiting for something a bit exciting to pique my interest but I’m still waiting.
Ie, no one yet is focussing on a lightweight EV.
It’s a required task but while no one cares, it won’t get done.
KE >> regen, so who cares if it’s heavy in the bends?
High weight vs unsprung gives a smoother ride quality, so don’t need fancy suspension or wheels.
It’s all definitely in the zone of appealing for ‘normal’ cars right now.
I imagine the early days of ICE was like this. Then once they were everywhere people wanted something more… and started racing them etc.
The journalists don’t help though. Sponsoring has led to dull vanilla reviews.
Therefore most manufacturers are only building EVs with four seats and a range over 200 miles. The new VW ID2 is really interesting, again it’s just a 4 seat hatchback but it’s going to be cheap (£22k) and meet the needs of 90% of motorists who do frequent, short journeys…..
The Honda E was awesome and perfect for theirs demographic but the main thing the 90% saw was an 80 mile range and they baulked.
The MG Cyberster could still be a great car but a 300+ mile range isnt really necessary and it weighs nearly two tonnes with two adults in it…
None of which answers the question, the point of Pistonheads?, it’s mumsnet for blokes innit
As Rimac have shown, EV's have the potential to be a far more engaging car to drive (ignoring the obvious ommission of a v12, etc sound track).
Being able to control each wheel speed and torque independently offers the opportunity to make cars that can drive in ways hitherto not possible.
I'd also argue - again irgorning the sound aspect - that EV's have the potential to drive better than a forced induction car as they're closer to NA in their power delivery (or can exactly match that delivery).
Battery tech is getting lighter, so as the mass comes down, the possibility of an AWD two seater toy with infinite drivetrain settings (RWD, fwd, AWD and dial in your slip angle) to me at least is exciting.
Being able to control each wheel speed and torque independently offers the opportunity to make cars that can drive in ways hitherto not possible.
I'd also argue - again irgorning the sound aspect - that EV's have the potential to drive better than a forced induction car as they're closer to NA in their power delivery (or can exactly match that delivery).
Battery tech is getting lighter, so as the mass comes down, the possibility of an AWD two seater toy with infinite drivetrain settings (RWD, fwd, AWD and dial in your slip angle) to me at least is exciting.
As we see almost every day on PH, there are a myriad of reasons people use this site. Some don’t even contribute to the car related threads much at all.
Frankly I wish a lot of them would clear off,
but the fact is that people have many different takes.
For me, EVs are just a new way of getting about. Currently it’s hugely flawed but I expect things to improve.
ICE will still be around for many years. And unless you want to enter the city walls of some little dictators, you will be fine for some time to come.
Frankly I wish a lot of them would clear off,
but the fact is that people have many different takes.For me, EVs are just a new way of getting about. Currently it’s hugely flawed but I expect things to improve.
ICE will still be around for many years. And unless you want to enter the city walls of some little dictators, you will be fine for some time to come.
julian64 said:
Having just read another PH article on an EV I'm starting to wonder what's the point. Its not the car journalists fault. EV cars are the future. They are just so boring to read about.
They either have an electric motor at the rear or one at the front and the rear, and that's about it. The difference between different EV's is now all about the infotainment. I tried to get interested when they came out. Tesla has some nice videos of how they overcame eddy current problems at different RPMs to increase performance.
I switch off when the journo tries to say how the power negatives the huge overall weight, and how surprisingly well it goes around corners when it seems obvious to me its relative to driving a bus.
Twenty years ago I thought the EU laws making all cars look the same was the end of the car journalist, but I was obviously wrong. The march of EVs is the end of car journalism because they are just so simple in design and they are all the same.
So please someone post something on here which is actually interesting about EVs to keep me as a car enthusiast.
( I have to say my next car will be an EV. Will be buying one prior to retirement because with the government subsidies on tax and the future as it is, it will be impossible not to have one. I just will have no enjoyment in it as a car)
The joy of cars (on Pistonheads) is mainly with various readers cars and the older stuff. I think it's fairly worrying that when manufacturers make 4-500hp rwd cars that the first comments are always about what grill design it has They either have an electric motor at the rear or one at the front and the rear, and that's about it. The difference between different EV's is now all about the infotainment. I tried to get interested when they came out. Tesla has some nice videos of how they overcame eddy current problems at different RPMs to increase performance.
I switch off when the journo tries to say how the power negatives the huge overall weight, and how surprisingly well it goes around corners when it seems obvious to me its relative to driving a bus.
Twenty years ago I thought the EU laws making all cars look the same was the end of the car journalist, but I was obviously wrong. The march of EVs is the end of car journalism because they are just so simple in design and they are all the same.
So please someone post something on here which is actually interesting about EVs to keep me as a car enthusiast.
( I have to say my next car will be an EV. Will be buying one prior to retirement because with the government subsidies on tax and the future as it is, it will be impossible not to have one. I just will have no enjoyment in it as a car)
The masses want boring, self driving autonomous transport, and that includes the majority on here. It was suggested the other day that we can 'admire the engineering' well, if that's what driving is being reduced to....'admiring' ......then we're already knackered Just enjoy what you have.
Edited by carlo996 on Monday 24th April 10:41
julian64 said:
Having just read another PH article on an EV I'm starting to wonder what's the point. Its not the car journalists fault. EV cars are the future. They are just so boring to read about.
They either have an electric motor at the rear or one at the front and the rear, and that's about it. The difference between different EV's is now all about the infotainment. I tried to get interested when they came out. Tesla has some nice videos of how they overcame eddy current problems at different RPMs to increase performance.
I switch off when the journo tries to say how the power negatives the huge overall weight, and how surprisingly well it goes around corners when it seems obvious to me its relative to driving a bus.
Twenty years ago I thought the EU laws making all cars look the same was the end of the car journalist, but I was obviously wrong. The march of EVs is the end of car journalism because they are just so simple in design and they are all the same.
So please someone post something on here which is actually interesting about EVs to keep me as a car enthusiast.
( I have to say my next car will be an EV. Will be buying one prior to retirement because with the government subsidies on tax and the future as it is, it will be impossible not to have one. I just will have no enjoyment in it as a car)
I borrow my sisters Model S on occasion. And for the first few days it's interesting with say a new upgraded widget. A relatively new way of driving/fuelling and erring more to white goods than fuelling a driving an ICE car. But the car is dominated by the infotainment system. In some respects it's a car for couch potatoes to say watch a film whilst waiting for your wife to finish shopping. I don't watch any TV or films, but if that's you, then great.They either have an electric motor at the rear or one at the front and the rear, and that's about it. The difference between different EV's is now all about the infotainment. I tried to get interested when they came out. Tesla has some nice videos of how they overcame eddy current problems at different RPMs to increase performance.
I switch off when the journo tries to say how the power negatives the huge overall weight, and how surprisingly well it goes around corners when it seems obvious to me its relative to driving a bus.
Twenty years ago I thought the EU laws making all cars look the same was the end of the car journalist, but I was obviously wrong. The march of EVs is the end of car journalism because they are just so simple in design and they are all the same.
So please someone post something on here which is actually interesting about EVs to keep me as a car enthusiast.
( I have to say my next car will be an EV. Will be buying one prior to retirement because with the government subsidies on tax and the future as it is, it will be impossible not to have one. I just will have no enjoyment in it as a car)
PH for me isn't about EV. Most of the EV posts and articles I'll skim read. When I am more compelled to have an EV then maybe I'll be more interested. It;s about the current attainable interesting cars of today, motoring and also the fantastic content in Readers
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