NationStates Jolt Archive

http://geneva.cars.msn.co.uk/performance_and_sporting/news/view_119.htm

Ahhhh its that time of year again where the largest international motor show on earth (don't quote me on that though) is taking place in Geneva...

Click and drool if you like fast cars :D


Personally, the Koenigsegg looks rather quick at 242mph on banked track...faster than Maclaren F1 too...nice :D

I like the bently Continental GT, so the flying spur appeals to me as well :-D I like bentlys. But that ueber fast car doesn;t suit me well. In the states there really is no point in having it, unless you drag race, and then other cars geared for accelleration would beat you.

I rather like the Aston Martin. Mainly 'cos it's yellow though :D .

I like the bently Continental GT, so the flying spur appeals to me as well :-D I like bentlys. But that ueber fast car doesn;t suit me well. In the states there really is no point in having it, unless you drag race, and then other cars geared for accelleration would beat you.

True, but if you have that much cash you can get it made to accellerate quicker any how...besides I think this car would handle better than most drag racers somehow!

If you want practical speed take the Audi RS4, would love to drive that through the roads in the alps....*dreams*

the more expensive the car, the more you need to compensate for, ehm, down there ... I drive a bike :D

the more expensive the car, the more you need to compensate for, ehm, down there ... I drive a bike :D

I'd have a vehicle at all....
mwhahaa

I walk so :p

I don't think it's always about compensation - there are a lot of purists and afficionados out there who are genuinely interested in automotive history/hot-rodding/racing etc. The guys who are compensating are the ones who barely know how to drive let alone appreciate a fine car, but go out and but the most expensive shining phallic symbol they can afford.

The new 'Z' car for instance is (as any purist will tell you) more of a historical timepiece than a mere sports car. It is a testament to the strength and wonder still left in simplistic engineering - and a subtle reminder of days gone by.

I myself am more interested in older cars, in particular those with full bodies and more than their fair share of hand crafted parts. Full heavy metal hot rods have a lot of style - unlike far too many of the mass produced crap-mobiles today.

There was a time when automotive manufacturing was more an artform than a rich mans obsession to own a bigger, faster, more powerful car. Any fool can shoe-horn some over technical larger than life engine in between the frame-rails of a composite bodied nightmare - it takes a genius to do it with style. It saddens me to see the general shape of the auto industry today, and the direction that many producers have taken with their manufacturing standpoints... The corvette is the last of the truly stylish and dignified cars made on this continent. Thankfully in Europe a few builders still maintain a level of high regard for the style oriented purists out there. But even then, there is an alarming trend to move things more towards production along with technical accomplishment and farther away from the high quality and style that we have been blessed with in the past.

I agree, cars like the Koeniggsegg, TVR and other are what true sports cars should be like, pure, unadulterated fun...not just about showing off, but enjoying your driving.

While I realise that it's not really always about compensating, I do actually only ride a bike for the moment, even though I have the legal age for getting a driver's license. Not only can I get everywhere I want to by bike or even by foor in less than half an hour at the moment, I also rather spend my money on cd's, concerts and booze than on a car and driver's lessons. Maybe either of those points will change in the near or far future, but that's how it is now.

I agree, cars like the Koeniggsegg, TVR and other are what true sports cars should be like, pure, unadulterated fun...not just about showing off, but enjoying your driving.
Actually that sort of goes a little bit against what I was saying - thats a different end of the spectrum. The Koeniggsegg may well be an engineering marvel - but its sorely lacking in true style or purist appeal aside from racing. The only thing thats saving the vette are the subtle throwbacks to classic style buried beneath a plethora of complex space age materials, and I worry that it too will one day fall shy of the mark that purists demand.

The richness in history held by Ferrari and Lamborghini keep them alive, but even then, Enzo is rolling over in his grave at the state of affairs his company is in. In fact he has been since the late 60's when they first started making cars in larger scale production numbers (the truth is he never wanted to be involved in that type of production).

If you look at the styling of cars previous to the 70's you'll easily understand what I mean. We have come a long long way since then - and Im not sure it has been for the better. Just because cars can go faster does not make them better in my eyes. Technology can only impress me so much before the cars become over scientific and space aged without even in inkling of reference to style or purism.

This is the reason that Indy racing has lost so much appeal to the purist crowd - the cars are so over-engineered that the soul of the sport has been leeched away and replaced by mass marketing and commercialization. I know its the face of a changing world - but its the sort of change that kills the spirit of what this industry used to stand for.

True, but you can barely call a TVR scientific, no power steering, high normal brakes, no traction control...now thats a 'pure' car...

Plus i think we may differ in our sense of style...but it is all in the eye of the beholder...

I don't think it's always about compensation - there are a lot of purists and afficionados out there who are genuinely interested in automotive history/hot-rodding/racing etc. The guys who are compensating are the ones who barely know how to drive let alone appreciate a fine car, but go out and but the most expensive shining phallic symbol they can afford.

The new 'Z' car for instance is (as any purist will tell you) more of a historical timepiece than a mere sports car. It is a testament to the strength and wonder still left in simplistic engineering - and a subtle reminder of days gone by.

I myself am more interested in older cars, in particular those with full bodies and more than their fair share of hand crafted parts. Full heavy metal hot rods have a lot of style - unlike far too many of the mass produced crap-mobiles today.

There was a time when automotive manufacturing was more an artform than a rich mans obsession to own a bigger, faster, more powerful car. Any fool can shoe-horn some over technical larger than life engine in between the frame-rails of a composite bodied nightmare - it takes a genius to do it with style. It saddens me to see the general shape of the auto industry today, and the direction that many producers have taken with their manufacturing standpoints... The corvette is the last of the truly stylish and dignified cars made on this continent. Thankfully in Europe a few builders still maintain a level of high regard for the style oriented purists out there. But even then, there is an alarming trend to move things more towards production along with technical accomplishment and farther away from the high quality and style that we have been blessed with in the past.

*agrees* :D

True, but you can barely call a TVR scientific, no power steering, high normal brakes, no traction control...now thats a 'pure' car...

Plus i think we may differ in our sense of style...but it is all in the eye of the beholder...
Its not always about science - and as far as style, I totally agree that it is in the eye of the beholder (but there are classic elements that have to be there in order to sate the purist appetite). Im making reference to the use of handmade non-composite traditional materials and manufacturing technology though. Thats an area of the TVR im not entirely familiar with, and you'll note, that for that particular reason I made no reference to that car (though I have seen them, and dont doubt that they are largely composite, notice that even cars made as such can still have the saving grace of incorporating puristic design philosophy)

:)

Its not always about science - and as far as style, I totally agree that it is in the eye of the beholder (but there are classic elements that have to be there in order to sate the purist appetite). Im making reference to the use of handmade non-composite traditional materials and manufacturing technology though. Thats an area of the TVR im not entirely familiar with, and you'll note, that for that particular reason I made no reference to that car (though I have seen them, and dont doubt that they are largely composite, notice that even cars made as such can still have the saving grace of incorporating puristic design philosophy)

:)

True, i was just using TVR as an example...I mean I am no great fan of the Vette, as its not a style i like, but i can appreciate the way it was built and the ideal it was built with...

if you want a pure car get a Caterham 7 R500 Superlight

carry on

if you want a pure car get a Caterham 7 R500 Superlight

carry on

You mean an engine with a seat, 4 wheels and a steering wheel? ;) I've sat in one of them and man did that thing fly!

if you want a pure car get a Caterham 7 R500 Superlight

carry on

Now this man has his priorities straight ;)

You mean an engine with a seat, 4 wheels and a steering wheel? ;) I've sat in one of them and man did that thing fly!
yup :D

its a proper car...stiff wishbone suspension all round, no traction control, no power steering, front engined, rear wheel drive, manual gearbox, two seats.

no roof, barely any bodywork.

zoom zoom

Wouldn't say no to a Radical SR4 or Lotus Elise/Vauxhall VX220 either..... then again, I wouldn't say no to anything with four wheels. (So no Robin Reliant for me:p)