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? 

 

 

 

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Edited 30 December, 20214 yr by Lady Elanore
Edited title

Who knows tbh. I wonder if it'll just end up like reviews of Coffee machines or fridge freezers in Which? magazine with A++ to F energy ratings  

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? 

1 minute ago, Lady Elanore said:

Will Brisky be mainly a bunch of classic car enthusiasts talking about their beloved 2.0 tdi Yetis? 

 

There'll be an underground scene of 1.4 8v Fabias.

In 5 years time there are going to be lots of fast and expensive cars that are on the road going cheap with out of date tech.

Never raced or rallied but they have had the accelerator pinned to the floor often to show others just how quick they can go.

 

Many will never get to be 5 years old as there are many driving the big fat heavy lumps quite quickly and seem to not be able to stay in their own lane.

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

My other thoughts are when you're watching one of those car-centric films and they rev the nuts off the car before changing gear... are we just going to hear a whine and the lack of gearchange from a CVT? Maybe I'm looking too far into this? 

Subscription means you can rent a car for just a month at a time. 

£49 delivery and how ever much a week, £100-£200, maybe £300 a week which includes everything. Insurance, Electric.

No Credit Checks.

 

Unless the Government controls this then things are going to be mental.

Boris's favourite lenders / sponsors of his position of being Tory Leader are behind Subscription in the UK.  

 

The Boy / Girl racer, Mom / Dad, Gran / Grandad thing is not going to die unless GPS / Roadside boxes / Black Boxes puts speeding off UK Roads.

Then there is the No MOT / VED Classic Car thing that so many in the House of Lords / Parliament / Banking & Investments support.  

 

PS

Some of the most fun cars i have had have had CVT.

Try some.   Very suited to using on great driving roads in Scotland.

Edited 30 December, 20214 yr by roottoot

If i ever do get an eleccky car ,i will probably loose my licence due to the rapid acceleration of them ,which must be good fun 

5 minutes ago, roottoot said:

Some of the most fun cars i have had have had CVT.

Try some.   Very suited to using ion great driving roads in Scotland.

 

Best I can afford is a CVT K11 Micra, I'll get back to you.

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? 

@AnnoyingPentium

I had one. a 1.3 & used it for Autotests.

Volvo 343, Daf 66, Subaru Justy AWD Auto (Electro magnetic) fantastic , Punto Speegear, Toyota Camry CVT, Toyota IQ which was the most recent. 

If they corner with pedal to the floor on narrow hill roads without lifting then that is all the speed you need IMO.

Driven a few others like Subarus that i never owned.

Edited 30 December, 20214 yr by roottoot

Maybe the younger generation wont really care about engine noise ,changing gear ,emotional contact with their car ,mebbe its just us (older)folk ,lets face it when ime out and about i find it strange how alot of younger people never look up from there phones when walking or riding trains buses etc ,ive had folk walk into me because their not looking where they are going ,ive even seen people with ear phones on while driving ,why when youve got in car entertainment ,cars are changing very quickly but i think it will end up a mess as we are years away from any infrastucture for long distance electric travel,i wonder how long they will leave petrol cars on the road for 🥴

1 minute ago, Mickvrs220 said:

Maybe the younger generation wont really care about engine noise ,changing gear ,emotional contact with their car

 

Maybe it's just me, and a couple of other folk I've met. Some, like a lot of the public, just see it as a daily hack/tool though.

wouldnt get too excited about EV vehicles .....  i do break down recovery  and pretty much  every  smashed  EV car i have recovered   has been written off  due to the  price of  parts etc .... Picked up a pretty much 3mth old BMW 330E  that had been speced up ( pretty much a M spec  car ), was involved  in a hit and run , took the car to main dealer body shop center . dropped it off  went back 2 weeks later  to drop another  car off  and got speaking to the  body shop manager  about the 330E  i had dropped off .. he told me " we stopped  quoting on repairs at 44k and thats what they could just see "  but you can guarantee  the cost will rise  due to all the electrics ...... over 3k  for a new laser headlight  for a 3 series  and over 8k  for a new  8 series headlight ....   this new tech  is too expensive to repair  and put back on the road .... these  cars are going to be  for breaking only 

^^^

Which is fantastic for Car Modders as the motors, controllers and batteries, suspension etc are needed.

All the classics that would go off the roads, slow with horrible brakes etc that can have the body and chassis & style kept.

 

The thing is that the DVSA / DfT are going to clamp down at some point as are insurers. 

At present you can fill your boots.(and anyplace else with power.)  

 

The UK System for customising & modding was always lax and the EU did not like that.

No worries now with the EU but it will be the Treasury & Safety Campaigners that will be the spoilers in the near future.  

 

 

 

Drifting or spinning and putting in a ditch any EV be it FWD, RWD or AWD is dead easy, especially on the crap ECO / Summer Range making tyres they come on.

 

 

 

Edited 30 December, 20214 yr by roottoot

3 minutes ago, roottoot said:

^^^

Which is fantastic for Car Modders as the motors, controllers and batteries, suspension etc are needed.

All the classics that would go off the roads, slow with horrible brakes etc that can have the body and chassis & style kept.

 

The thing is that the DVSA / DfT are going to clamp down at some point as are insurers. 

At present you can fill your boots.(and anyplace else with power.)  

 

The UK System for customising & modding was always lax and the EU did not like that.

No worries now with the EU but it will be the Treasury & Safety Campaigners that will be the spoilers in the near future.  

agree half agree .. yes my 1982 E28  525i is very slow  compared  to anything now a days  but its  a car that you really have to  involve your self  in driving ,  steering is heavy and you have to actually use your arms ,  no drive by wire  so you can actually feel the throttle  working , it leans going into corners   its 40 year old tech  but  i could drive that car every day  day in day out  and  never feel bored . You have to interact with the car  and when you do  you get a sence  of satisfaction from doing it ..it has soul  and presence ..... new EV  maybe quick  etc   but  lacks emotion ... company i work for  has contracts  to move  Porsches , Lambos, ferrari, Aston martin , classics  etc .....  weve had  Porsches  in my family for over 25 years ,,, My sister had  one of the last air cooled 993 targa's..... gutted she had to sell it when she got pregnant .... It was a  drivers car  the noise  when you started it  was  enough  to make you think "ok  im gonna have to get my head on "   when i get sent to pick up a new 150k plus  you just zone out ..    completely dead of soul 

I would give my right leg for a 911 EV conversion.  

 

4 years old vid.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 30 December, 20214 yr by roottoot

5 minutes ago, roottoot said:

I would give my right leg for a 911 EV conversion.  

 

 

 

noice .... the " widow maker "  gets  to strike again .. but i think that " any sort of performance car" should be  only sold to  people who are capable of driving them  and  who have proved  via taking  a  advanced  driver training  course  to prove they can handle  such cars ....... Money does not guarantee you skill  thats for sure 

3 hours ago, Lady Elanore said:

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?

Sounds just up my street, charge rates and miles per kWh are my favourite things.

 

Currently, EV discussions are in a subsection of the forum. I think in the future, ICE rated stuff would be in a subsection of the forum. Don't need to fear, it wouldn't die just as owning and riding horses became a real hobby rather than a mode of transport.

CVT with a (Honda) petrol engine is "quite nice" because it's rarely in the wrong gear. OTOH Scalextric cars don't have gears.

I agree with everything you've said @Lady Elanore...   Even current 'connected' cars worry me with all the tech and, apart from the driving is another reason why I love my 1995 MK1 MX5.

 

In terms of the media the change is already happening, even in the likes of Car magazine.  If it's not a review of the latest lookalike Porsche or latest 'special' 911 they major on pretty much everything bar the actual drive (apart from George Kacher that is).  Curtis Moldrich is a case in point ..   most of his reviews and dislike for certain cars have been down to the in car multimedia systems and how well, or not, they connect to his beloved iPhone...   It's painful to read in a magazine that used to feature wrirs like LJK Setright.

3 minutes ago, KenONeill said:

CVT with a (Honda) petrol engine is "quite nice" because it's rarely in the wrong gear. OTOH Scalextric cars don't have gears.

CVT under day to day driving  is ok  but for any one in the "off road scene" CVT  is just a bag of **** .. subaru  intro the cvt i think in 2010 ish ... .(im guessing )   pretty much completely useless .. the cars would just stop at any sort of obstabcle they came up against and just bulid heat and eventually destroy the trans ... warranty claims  went through the roof  forcars with 100k warranty with failed trans 

.. my 06 H6 subaru outback  with a  normal 5EAT trans  killed any new "CVT " outback trying to follow me  on  any off road track 

@skomaz

They are away to have a MX5 vs a Mazda EV on Fifth Gear Recharged on Quest now.

 

@KenONeill

No gears or shifter, but then there are those EV conversions that do have gearboxes and then those without that will still be called gearboxes by some as they work on them.

 

 

Edited 30 December, 20214 yr by roottoot

1 hour ago, scoutabout1 said:

agree half agree .. yes my 1982 E28  525i is very slow  compared  to anything now a days  but its  a car that you really have to  involve your self  in driving ,  steering is heavy and you have to actually use your arms ,  no drive by wire  so you can actually feel the throttle  working , it leans going into corners   its 40 year old tech  but  i could drive that car every day  day in day out  and  never feel bored . You have to interact with the car  and when you do  you get a sence  of satisfaction from doing it ..it has soul  and presence ..... new EV  maybe quick  etc   but  lacks emotion ... company i work for  has contracts  to move  Porsches , Lambos, ferrari, Aston martin , classics  etc .....  weve had  Porsches  in my family for over 25 years ,,, My sister had  one of the last air cooled 993 targa's..... gutted she had to sell it when she got pregnant .... It was a  drivers car  the noise  when you started it  was  enough  to make you think "ok  im gonna have to get my head on "   when i get sent to pick up a new 150k plus  you just zone out ..    completely dead of soul 

 

 

^^^ 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.