Now we all know that going green is essential or so it seems, to our survival and our future generations as well. However, when this noble act of saving the earth becomes obsessive and as you will see, rather far fetched, it seems like car manufacturers are just jumping on the bandwagon to show that they're being 'green' and 'environmentally friendly' when in actuality, it may just be marketing ploys and the influence of pop culture.
In one of the most surprising revelations in the recent weeks, Indonesia has revealed their latest creation. A hybrid car. Which is both amusing and rather desperate when you find out how long it takes to start up. The Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) revealed their car and unfortunately, it took 15 minutes to actually move. No doubt it still is in it infant stages, but when you reveal a car to the world, at least make sure it works! The ride was bumpy, slow, and there isn't even power steering. So is this a step forward or backwards? It becoming rather confusing. The main idea of a hybrid car would send the message that a country is moving forwards in the spectrum of technology, but this? I highly doubt so.
The LIPI produced car is just one extreme. On the other hands, there are geeks all over the world who congregate together and think of ideas and designs which frankly only people who live in a world where everyone travels around in bubbles can ever think of. And if you thought a Chinese-American union was a good idea, this is what results. General Motors and the Shanghai Automotive Industry have come up with this: the EN V concept which is their idea of a 'new global urban mobility vehicle'. I can't really be bothered to talk about the designs but they can be described with one word; hideous. And this is a quote which explains what these 'urban mobility vehicles' are all about:
"The EN-V concepts are GM's solution for the congested urban centers in which we're all likely to live by 2030. Their all-electric, two-wheel drivetrains take care of the emissions problem. They're also fitted with the latest GPS, vehicle-to-vehicle connectivity and an array of sensors and cameras that allow fully autonomous driving. The effect of all this tech is less congestion on city roads and the virtual elimination of accidents. Zero emissions, zero traffic jams and zero accidents – the future's looking bright!"
A bright future indeed. I would rather sit on a toilet bowl with wheels than in one of these. Fully automated driving just takes the fun out of driving itself, GPS, vehicle to vehicle connectivity, we will all be brain dead and fat if all this technology takes over. I still want the humanity in driving without the carbon emission drawbacks!
So Lambo's and Ferrari's may become hybrids, Honda's and Toyota's can all be a bit boring but at least there's still a steering wheel and a gas pedal. Lambo's and Ferrari's still have their soul and passion injected into their cars. But these new things, I'd rather do without them.
hybrids, eco-friendly cars and 4 more...
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