Just a thought re: cars.

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Old Aug 3, 2009 | 12:27 AM
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Just a thought re: cars.

Have anyone ever thought about how the world of cars will be like a few years from now. Would there be any supercars left? Knowing how universally the internal combustion engine has been limited by regulation constantly until the point that car manufacturers are just turning high mpg cars and not focusing on the supercars. Will we be able to mod our modest cars to create more power without the powers that be holding us back? Sure, there could be always new "engine" technologies such as hydrogen and electric and they could have much much power, but would it be as fun as driving a petrol car?

By 2016, all of manufacturer's fleet average must be 36mpg.
Porsche in big trouble.
Prospect of global warming and the "green" movement.
Almost every car company in the world is suffering financially.

We're all young here and that's the stem of the problem. We all love cars but will the same type of cars and supercars be around when your kids grow up to drive? If I ever make the big bucks when I grow older, will I still be able to go and buy a supercar?


In case youtube embed broke(widescreen!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKqEcIDxDSU
Old Aug 3, 2009 | 12:27 AM
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Just watched top gear too?
Old Aug 3, 2009 | 12:28 AM
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Yeah, which brought up a good point!
Old Aug 3, 2009 | 12:32 AM
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hopefully there will still be super cars. I can't imagine them ever being illegal. I mean that would be like saying fast food will ever become illegal. It's bad for everyone and everyone knows it but the fast food chains still making billions. Sure it'll be tougher to own (higher taxes, registration fees, cost of ownership) but seeing how Jay Leno has almost a century's history of cars it shouldn't ever completely die out.

Plus think about how fast cars are such a part of Americana. Nascar is a huge deal on the mainland.
Old Aug 3, 2009 | 02:01 AM
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there will always be "supercars" however you define them 7-10 years from now. although there will be more of a shift to greener technology, i don't see petrol as a form of fuel, evaporating in such a short while. while the oil cartels definitely have a reason to worry, i still see my 2004 sti running with the cars of the future.
Old Aug 3, 2009 | 02:43 AM
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The Supercar AS WE KNOW IT will be dead very soon.

But as Ted said, there will always be Supercars. I mean, Ferrari is working on a hyrbid system for their 458 Italia. Porsche is testing electric 911s. Toyota is working on their V10 Hybrid "Supra".

So to answer your thought, yes, the days of petrol-powered V12s are numbered. But that doesnt mean I'm any less excited about the future. I am a bit sad that our grandchildren may never hear the wail of an Italian V10 or V12, but I'm sure the supercars of the future will offer a whole NEW array of excitement.

The sad part is that the petrol cars of today may not live on as classics. But we're human, we learn to move on.



And, that last segment of Top Gear today was really sad. Jeremy looked like he was about to cry when he said "good night", and you can tell he was genuine.
Old Aug 3, 2009 | 08:53 AM
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I think all the tuners will have to start learning how to make Hybrids fast...that's pretty much it. As the technology progresses more speed will come.
Old Aug 3, 2009 | 09:26 AM
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Electric is the way to go, so much torque.
Old Aug 3, 2009 | 10:01 AM
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Tesla
Old Aug 3, 2009 | 11:58 AM
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That's why there always has been and always will be a market for vintage autos.
Old Aug 3, 2009 | 12:00 PM
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I think before electric cars become normal, battery technology has to improve. The Tesla has wayyy too much lithium-ion batterys, which makes it heavy.
Old Aug 3, 2009 | 12:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Choku Dori
That's why there always has been and always will be a market for vintage autos.
W3RD!! Japanese Nostalgic Happy Bday too Ryan!!

But they are also pushing for hydrogen powered cars but a price tag for those would be in the 100k, so till then, Gas and electric powered are the only way to go.. Oh and dont forget vegetable oil powered vehicle's too!
Old Aug 3, 2009 | 01:05 PM
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Hell yeah Walter! And thank you for the bday wishes!
Old Aug 3, 2009 | 01:57 PM
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Originally Posted by VRT Gump
Tesla
I'll concur to that....This is my earth friendly "GREEN Super Car"....I can't remember what show it was but this bad boy out excelled a F1 and numerous other cars. 0-60 in 3.7!!

http://www.teslamotors.com/

Last edited by 4080wrx; Aug 3, 2009 at 02:09 PM.
Old Aug 4, 2009 | 02:21 AM
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once the electrical infrastructure goes green, i'll believe more in electric cars. getting power from the electric grid is still contributing to global warming. once that snag is done, electric power ftw.



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