Lady Elanore

OLED for me. I'm on my second one and have never looked back. They make a fantastic monitor to view photographs on, as the latest sets have extremely accurate colour balance (or you can adjust them yourself). Virtually all OLEDs are made by LG these days with Panasonic and Sony tweaking their bought-in LG panels and of late, they have added a large heat sink, so they can run the screens even brighter than the LG original.

I'm a Canon shooter, but recently bought a used Sony A7 as a walkaround camera. It's full frame, small mirrorless form factor and it only cost £375 or so from WEX cameras. Best of all, although the camera is physically several years old, it's only done 4,500 shots A cheap fast Tamron lens and I'm good to go I wouldn't recommend the camera for fast action shots, which are the main things I shoot, but for landscape and portrait type things, it's a nice camera with excellent image quality. It's not too hard to get your head around the software either, which is a bonus for me and my slightly feeble brain

I was put off them when I drove the Nissan Primera CVT about 20 years ago. It was a hateful thing, not helped by a course sounding engine droning away. I should probably try something modern like a Qashqai to see how they have advanced. But there is something about the rising sound of revs that I like. It's an intrinsic part of the experience of acceleration and deceleration for me and I can't imagine a Tom Cruise car chase would sound the same if the car was CVT. Although the Fast and Furious lot have that many gear changes going up the gearbox, perhaps they should get CVTs

No derailing that I can see, the thread was meant to encourage discussion. If we all agreed it wouldn't be a discussion, it would be a 'love in' I would like to be convinced of the EV revolution as it might make me actually want an EV, which on the face of it, would be a handy thing as it's in my future - assuming I'm still driving or buying new cars in the next decade. The thread was really meant for the discussion of whether 'media' was going to dwindle, as EVs don't seem to have the same attraction for most folk that IC cars do. This may change, but my friends who are buying EVs want one in the same way they want an iphone. They know nothing of the design or technology and want the latest thing. Mostly they bang on about how cheap the thing is to run, but know nothing about any of the car's engineering. It's easy to go off topic with EVs, as I've proved, but I still wonder if Brisky will become a smaller place as EVs become the dominant form of transport 😞 (Disclaimer: the sad face emoji was for the potential shrinking of Brisky, not EVs becoming the dominant form of transport 😞 )

Typo, or rather not concentrating now corrected to W12

Why not shoe horn the W12 out of a Bentley in there. Oh and pie...

I miss the good old days of the Fabia 2.0 rants. As we know they were much faster than the Honda Civic Type Rs ever were. On a slightly tangential move, does anyone know how big Brisky is in terms of UK car forums? I suspect it's a lot bigger proportionally than the number of Škodas in the country compared to other marques - if that makes sense?

I should add in fairness to the above post, well, two above post, that I've also just read that we expect another 30GW of wind power on line by 2030, which is equivalent to a lot of powerstations....when it's windy. This from Autoexpress In comparison, Lithium-ion battery production for electric cars is very energy-intensive. As an example, a 100kWh battery will take around 20 tonnes of CO2 to produce. A typical battery lasts for 150,000 miles, so that equates to around 83g/km of CO2. Then, when you take into account charging over that same distance, the same battery car will deliver 124g/km of CO2 over its lifetime. Current hydrogen production and in car use, is a similar figure, but that should drop once hydrogen is made from renewables. Anyhoo I digress again. We need to all go out and buy Fabia 2.0 petrol cars and keep Brisky going on the legendary performance of these beasts. W16 Octy anyone?

I am very careful to try and convey this is my personal thinking. I just did a quick scan read of my first post and I counted the use of the letter/world 'I' 29 times and several times used the word 'my' in sentences. I was hoping that we could have a meaningful chat about electrification and how the encroaching EV revolution will change our car culture in the future. I believe that our car culture and media outlets (eg magazines, online and in print, and forums) will dwindle to some degree, as the passion will not be preserved once we stop running or reduce our uptake of dinosaur juice.

I don't believe the car industry is going in a good direction. The resources of a decent sized nation are being poured into a wholly new technology for transport at a massive cost to the environment. We already have the infrastructure for Hydrogen combustion (JCB are already making hydrogen engined plant machinery) and although it's not as green to make hydrogen, it is easy to store, refill and saves dragging an extra half ton of batteries around. The emissions have a slight NOx output, but there are ways around that. At the moment, Ireland is beginning to worry that it has enough infrastructure to power its data servers, (admittedly huge) before we even talk about electrifying all their vehicles. Autocar commissioned an expert to work out how much more electricity was required to totally convert the UK to EVs and they reckoned we were around 9 power stations short. There are currently no plans to build these extra power stations (almost certainly reactors) although there is one new reactor coming on line in 2026, we will be phasing out remaining fossil fuel stations of course. Wind power is great when there is wind, although storing electricity is a not convenient technology in many ways, needing huge battery packs to store a meaningful amount of the stuff for our use. I don't believe batteries in cars are the answer and that they are mainly a knee-jerk reaction that politicians think will get them their jobs back at the relevant time. I'm saying this knowing that hydrogen combustion cars would more than likely be slower than current petrol cars in order to reduce emissions to super green levels and I do like a quick car, but for me, I would like hydrogen.

Ah vinyl. As someone who does 'sound' for a living, I think it's fair to say that the vast majority of my colleagues and friends in the industry would agree that digital now easily surpasses the quality available on vinyl and yet most would also agree, they understand why so many people prefer vinyl or moving back to it as their preferred medium. At least one day you can buy your sons Cooper off him and show it the love it deserves

I've taken for granted, but now realise, that I like cars built by car companies that have tradition, especially if that leans to something a little sporty. I like the sound track, I like the subtle vibrations, I like the compromises (which to be fair are pretty small) that IC engines and gearbox come with. I work in an industry dominated by advanced electronics, but that's my job, it's not a hobby. A car can be used for pleasure and business, it's quite a trick, really. I don't think I have many objects in my life that can serve those dual roles, or at least provide the same amount of both pleasure and usefulness in all aspects of my daily routine. No, for me, once we go full EV, I won’t be going to car meets or shows for them. I'd rather huddle together with my friends who have oil under their fingernails and listen to their V8s roar.

That is exactly what I said in the quote YOU used .

So another interesting development in the car world is, after Apple's aborted mash-up with Hyundai fell apart, SONY have announced a couple of prototype EVs. This seems to signal that all sorts of electronic component and white goods manufacturers, have a gimlet eye on the car market and a quick buck (figuratively speaking). Personally, I find it quite alarming. Musk showed that using his 'special set of skills' he could take the automotive world by storm, all from a standing start and not having a history in making cars at all. An entrepreneur for sure, but certainly not a traditional 'car guy'. Apple similarly are looking at making cars, Google has more than dabbled and now SONY intended to enter the market. As I said in my opening salvo a couple of weeks ago, I like to interact with my cars, the combustion engine and gearbox are the key to that particular lock, EVs don't do that for me. It would seem that we are moving even further from my true desires, more and more companies that have no real interest in the motor trade and especially what enthusiast want, are after a slice of the pie. It shows a move in the market that appears to signal that the car is going to eventually be seen, at least in the mainstream, as nothing more than a commodity for moving people and stuff and will be nothing short of a large white goods box with wheels stuck on the side. I fear for us, that like and enthuse over our cars. Cars built without passion and the only important fact for the manufacturers is the profit, will kill the whole scene for me. A big part of my life will be over and there will only the past to look forward to. It's a very sad state of affairs that I see encroaching on us 😞

You might be on to something there!

Well reading the interesting posts about the "curry hook" (we used to call it that when we sold the Almera - it was in a former life ) maybe car media isn't going to die out with the combustion engine... as long as there are curry hooks fitted to EVs that is

For me, this is a perfect example of why I like combustion engines. Two opposing types really, but both brilliant cars. I love a V8 (I assume it's a V8) and the A2 is a genius little car. I came close to buying one, but ended up with a VW Golf TDi. Always regretted not owning one, the idea of a futuristic aluminium car with a super efficient 1.4 diesel (it was a 1.4 wasn't it?) was a great idea. Dummy grill at the front exposing a couple of filler nozzles if I remember correctly. I watch a video review of a V8 and I turn the sound up and wait for the drift moments. I see an electric review and I probably skip forward to see what the 0-60 number is and then go make a cup of tea. A friend of mine sold his crazy NA V8 Audi and bought a V6 Twin turbo replacement. A more complete car but not as charismatic. Now he's ordered an electric car because it makes sense financially (he can right off his first year's corporation tax with it). Given a review of those 3 cars, whether in print, or especially if it was a video review, I would choose to read/watch the V8 first, then the V6 and might not even bother with the EV. There is an irony in that the EV may well be the most complete car of the 3, it just doesn't do it for me. Maybe time for a magazine called 'What Recharge'

But you must have seen the beginnings of the shift to reviewing more and more electric vehicles. I basically look at the photos of the interior to see if there are any real buttons and knobs, check what the range is and the price, then I'm done. I don't sit in my virtual racing seat and imagine the climbing revs, the careful matching of revs with the gear change, the extra push of the final few revs (Porsche GT3 I'm thinking of you) and ultimately the gentle clinking of a cooling down car that's had a good thrashing. Sounds a bit sexual I grant you, but the electric car doesn't really do that for me. I have nothing against EVs, but they don't have the general interest levels that combustion engines enjoy imho Hence forums and the printed word will slowly die out to a fair degree I believe 😞

^^^ this I've been following a chap who's been building a Stratos replica for several years and is clearly a labour of love. I honestly can't see that ever being the case for a Tesla and it's ilk. It depends on how you view your cars I suppose. Are they just a mode of transport for you? and do you measure it's success in that department in how efficient it is in doing its job. Is it comfortable, quiet, reliable, capacious and has reasonable running costs? Many of us will compromise some of those factors for a car that gives us that little (to quote James May) "fizz". There aren't any forums, as far as I am aware, that are dedicated to washing machines and their modding, or group meets for frost-free freezers. That's why I find myself glossing over more and more car reviews and wonder on the future effect of the electric car on magazines, both in print and online. It therefore seems an extension of that, which will lead to car forums dwindling too. That's the main question I'm throwing out there.

CVT isn't going to be the problem, as I see it, it's the lack of emotional connection with the 'future cars' that are coming our way. As I posted earlier, the sound and feeling of the literally living and breathing combustion engine is a huge part of what matters to car fans. There is no reason why electric cars can't look fantastic, but why would we care for the driving experience if it's just about 0-60 that is talked about. Or what's the unique selling point if all that differentiates cars in general is the OS they employ. I was given a ticket for the recent Classic Car Show at the NEC recently (and also offered a lift down in an AMG silly car ) and the sounds of the 'go for a spin' cars was astonishing. Big naughty V8s were a highlight Also looking at shiny bits and having technical things explained by my learned and experience engineering friend was a genuine joy and privilege. He pointed out many clever solutions to strange problems that required mechanical magic. There was a huge hall which was 50% full of mechanical bits and bobs in boxes, not a single complete car in sight. Looking at electrical connectors and electrical motors won't have the same draw for most enthusiasts I fear. So, is car media a dying pleasure?

Maybe, but how does this impact the media? I kinda made a long first post to show my reasoning for worrying that motoring journalism and car forums are a doomed species. Electric cars are very good at what they are meant for, but I suspect people won’t bond with them in the same way. Perhaps Apple and Civic Type R fanboys (and girls) will embrace the electric car - it's light-hearted generalisation, so don't burn me - but I think the rich car culture society that most of us inhabit here in cyberspace, will slowly evaporate

Thats my worry. Will car forums be mainly people talking about high charge rate stations they have found, or the latest software update to their air conditioning? Will Brisky be mainly a bunch of classic car enthusiasts talking about their beloved 2.0 tdi Yetis?

I've noticed more and more electric cars reviews appearing in car reviews and now we have a TV show specialising in e-car reviews too. It made me wonder what the future of the traditional car show and magazine is. Bear with me while I digress a little. Once up on a time... The traditional heart of any car is the engine. Most of us on Brisky love the internal combustion engine and have a long and intimate relationship with it - you can read into that what you will, but with the onslaught of the electric motor, this relationship is sure to change I feel. I genuinely can't see people raving about the Tesla 'whizzywoosh' motor being more evocative than the BMW 'whirrrthweep', the attraction of these engines all comes down to the numbers imho. However, with combustion engines, Is the straight six preferable to the V6? Which sounds best, which is smoothest? Which is evocative of the marques pedigree most faithfully? The scream of the V12, the discordant howl of the V10, the bark of a Pinto engine with big carbs, all to be consigned to the dustbin of evil things. There is the smell of mechanical things, the character of the beast as it warms up, the visual allure of multiple cylinder banks, the miles of plumbing and belts, it's all part of the living breathing, organic core of our cars. As we have a liquid fuelled car, we need a gearbox, this too has its own appeal, or if you have certain British Leyland products, then repulsion. The 4 speed snickity Ford gearbox in the early Escorts to the 7 speed manual of a Porsche, these are the most tactile of things, we connect with our engine in a sympathetic way. We ask the engine to accelerate us and in turn, to assist its task, we listen and feel our motors increasing urge, so with mutual rapport, we change ratios and await the next symbiotic moment where in perfect unison, we enjoy the synchronised dance again and again. The amount of pleasure that can be gained from timing a perfect gear change is ridiculous, but it's part of the process and the reason we connect with our cars on a human level. Even the DCT and Automatic can be controlled and used to great effect in the enjoyment of driving our cars Of course the compromises that having a combustion engine mean even more mechanical items are required, prop shafts, drive shafts, differentials, even the bonnet shape is partly dictated by the machine beneath it. This brings me to electric cars and heading back to being OT I suppose. There is no getting away from the fact that electric cars are coming and in the short term at least, these will be battery powered devices. They are green, generally fast in a straight line and futuristic in their interiors. But the 'heart', where is it? I fail to see how I will ever be enthralled or excited by a set of electric motors, no matter how fast they can fire me down the road, pure straight line speed is a nice party piece, but there is no interaction at least for me. I've only driven one electric car and I'll admit it was only for 20 minutes. I've also only been a passenger in a couple of them, but any initial wonder when stepping on board a 4 wheeled space ship is soon dispelled once we are on the move. Yes they are fine cars and fulfil their brief admirably. Comfortable, quieter than Boris when questioned about Brexit and potentially spacious. I can't really fault them as modes of transport, they seem generally excellent. Personally I hate touch screens, especially in cars and the large display in cars like Teslas, I truly detest them. Perhaps it's because I played piano in my younger days and got used to being to feel my way around the keyboard without the need to look down from the music and without accidentally playing an unintentional note, owning to a certain amount of force being needed to activate a key stroke? Electric cars leave me cold I'm afraid, no matter how fast they are. I won't mention range anxiety as for me in my job, it's potentially a real issue, even with some cars being able to cover 300 miles (or perhaps 250 in real world winter conditions and sitting in motorway jams with the heater on), however I know it's not really a concern for the vast majority of people, or at least it shouldn't be. So, at last the media side of it... Well, I have now read many reviews of electric cars and by and large they talk about the things that don't excite me. Handling of many of these cars is fine, often thanks to the low centre of gravity caused by extremely heavy battery packs, ride quality if OK and acceleration is good to outrageous. They talk about electronic doodads, connectivity and charging rates, but it leaves me with an empty feeling in my stomach. It's like reading a mobile phone review. Phones reviews seem to be mainly about battery size, screen quality, processor speed, and storage and that now seems to be pretty much maxed out. Screens have extreme resolutions that few can discern, they are more than enough storage for 95% of people, batteries are pretty much the same spec across the board and processors are a marvel of modern engineering. I've had the same phone for 3 years now and I looked at the latest version and could perceive no real difference when compared to my own. I know the newer version has superior specs, but the biggest difference was the OS version. That's how I see electric cars if you will excuse the generalisation. I'm now more interested in the software of my phone than the device itself. Phones are almost all the same size and shape, similar speed, similar storage, similar facilities such as camera, in fact the manufactures are desperately throwing crazy specs at us to entice to buy something with a wow factor. 100 megapixels camera anyone? Phones that can bend in the middle? No, for me phones are becoming white goods and I fear that to a large degree, cars will become that too. Will car media survive this transition? Will a 'Which' test of electric cars become the norm, rather than the 'CAR' magazine giant group test? Maybe Top Gear and its ilk will continue with their, "how can we drive something totally inappropriate for the conditions and do ridiculously unpleasant things to it" standard template, but ultimately I fear this too will die. I have stopped reading electric car reviews, at least for cars that I may well be forced to drive one day and possibly only am interested in something a bit different, an electric Bowler might be a laugh, but the latest Mustang-e or Tesla Jetson mode doesn't float my boat. I'm not knocking the electric car as transport, it's magnificent at doing that, but I think the death knell of the petrol car will mean apart from what will become 'classics', the car scene and myself will become estranged and no longer BFFs 😞 Will car reviews online and in print survive in the current form? Will even Brisky ultimately be consigned to the dustbin for worshipping the devils juice? Will only middle-aged and old men huddle in the corners of pub car parks for a covert mini meet of their pride and joy Fabia 2.0 petrol? If anyone actually has read this far, perhaps you'd like to pitch in with a thought on the matter. Please don't use this thead to knock either petrol cars or electric cars as such, I was only setting a scene for what I think means the potential end of car related interactions as we know them. Do I get a badge for the longest post/rant in quite a while? .

I've worked for nearly 40 years ( well 3 weeks a year) next door to the Lyceum and never been in...except once to see what frequencies they had their radio mics on as we were having problems and even then didn't see the full interior 😞 Lovely looking theatre