A sportscar shouldn’t have...

[Miserablegit]

There’s a very nice 911 GTS parked outside my office (not mine I hasten to add). When I walked past I noticed it has headlamp washers. I know they were compulsory for HID headlamps but are not for LED and it got me thinking... A sportscar really shouldn’t have headlamp washers...

What other trinkets do manufacturers fit that, perhaps, could be missed off a sportscar

[Miserablegit]

kambites said:

Yeah I've never understood the aversion to drive aids which can be switched off and add no weight to the car or inherent interference to the controls.

OP here - I think these driver aids are bad because they add weight because they need cameras and other sensors - not just a software option. I take the view that anyone who needs lane departure warning shouldn’t be driving.

[Miserablegit]

Schmed said:

A french badge on it....

Wondered how long it would take
Presumably we should add 4000 contrasting stitching combinations and embroidered head restraints?

[Miserablegit]

TyrannosauRoss Lex said:

Does traction control or ABS require a camera? Do the sensors add much weight for ABS? If so, is that weight even remotely noticeable, especially when you consider the benefits it can give.

Suggest you read the original quote that referred to lane departure and auto wipers not ABS

[Miserablegit]

Model designation and options list on the rear of the car

[Miserablegit]

AW111 said:

Although the do allow a low bonnet line when down - less drag, less bulk.

Actually pop-up lights should be a pre-requisite as they are cool. Damn those pedestrian impact regulations...

[Miserablegit]

I'd say essence of a sports car is fun- I'd put an slk55 into that category- the weight of the trinkets is partially offset by a lovely v8.

If i had more time I'd work on an algorithm- pop up headlamps offset headlamp washers and contrast stitching/head rest embroidery etc.

[Miserablegit]

Well, in light of the various discussions as to what constitutes a sports car I spent considerable time on the train this morning to come up with a scientific method of determining what constitutes a sports car - It is, as yet, unproven...

It looks like this:

The initial figure is calculated on the basis of the following:

Seating:
No. of seats

Gearbox
Manual gearbox +1
Dsg 0
Auto -1
None -5


Construction Material
Carbon Composite +2
Alloy +1
Plastic composite 0
Steel -1

Mass
Less than 1t +4
1-1.2t +3
1.2-1.4t +1
1.4-5t 0
More -1

Driven wheels
Rwd +3
Fwd +1
Awd 0 and if you have to ask it’s -2

Motive power
Fuel
Petrol +4
Diesel -100
EV -100

Electronic malarkey
Abs 0
Lane departure -1
Radar cruise -1
Facebook integration -50
Headlamp washers -1



Engine layout
V8 +4
V12 +1
6 pot +3
4 pot +2

Total all of that up and then divide the BHP per tonne by that figure.
If the result is less than 15.5 then it's a sportscar.

• might need the odd tweak!

[Miserablegit]

blueg33 said:

Good start - but note that some of the new auto paddle shift torque converter boxes shift faster than twin clutch boxes. Also you havent got a score for a robotised manual eg Ferrari F1 box.

But I like it, if I have time tonight Ill turn it into a spread sheet then we can test it

Just did a trial run using these

evora f360 MG midget ferrari 488 911 audi a5 d

The only ones less than 15.5 were the Midget and the A5 diesel (thats because the A5 has a negative number)

Evora 400 - 18.86666667
Ferrari 360 - 18.93333333
Mg Midget - 5.866666667
Ferrari 488 - 28.64285714
991 s - 39.85714286
A5 3.0 tdi - -0.993243243

So Midget = sports car, Evora and 360 nearly sports cars, 488 and 911 definitely not, A5 misses by a mile but skewed

Edited by blueg33 on Tuesday 10th December 18:03

So if the result from the initial calculation is a negative then it isn’t a sportscar before we get to part 2 or we limit part 1 to a minimum of zero which means the outcome of the division will be division by zero.

Lotus must qualify so we need to tweak somehow.
Not something a clumsy as moving the limit- perhaps add more for reduced mass as that is where cars fall down these days ?

[Miserablegit]

blueg33 said:

Good start - but note that some of the new auto paddle shift torque converter boxes shift faster than twin clutch boxes. Also you havent got a score for a robotised manual eg Ferrari F1 box.

But I like it, if I have time tonight Ill turn it into a spread sheet then we can test it

Just did a trial run using these

evora f360 MG midget ferrari 488 911 audi a5 d

The only ones less than 15.5 were the Midget and the A5 diesel (thats because the A5 has a negative number)

Evora 400 - 18.86666667
Ferrari 360 - 18.93333333
Mg Midget - 5.866666667
Ferrari 488 - 28.64285714
991 s - 39.85714286
A5 3.0 tdi - -0.993243243

So Midget = sports car, Evora and 360 nearly sports cars, 488 and 911 definitely not, A5 misses by a mile but skewed

Edited by blueg33 on Tuesday 10th December 18:03

Clearly some tweaks are needed as has been shown.
Perhaps:

Points for the no. of seats less than 4
1 point for pop up headlamps
1 point for mid-engine
possibly move the ratio down a point?