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Sure looks a lot like your father's Oldsmobile...
Electric cars were supposed to be the future – or at least look like it. So now they're here, why do they still look like ordinary petrol and diesel cars and not dazzling props from a science fiction film.
Before they hit the market and became relatively mainstream, many imagined (or at least, hoped) that electric cars would resemble the Light Runner from Tron: Legacy. After all, without the need for an internal combustion engine, an exhaust system and a fuel tank, electric car designers should have the creative freedom to rip up the rule book and create some truly eye-catching vehicles.
But this hasn't really happened. Park a Renault Zoe next to a Renault Clio, for example, and compare the two. While there are subtle differences and styling cues that suggest the Zoe is electric and the Clio isn't, the overall body form is strikingly similar. In fact, the Zoe is assembled on the same production line as the Clio and Nissan Micra.
(Score: 2) by JoeMerchant on Sunday January 14 2018, @03:22PM (6 children)
I think you can find the answer in a an older, similar question:
Why do mass production cars never look like the wild concept car prototypes at auto-shows?
They occasionally try: the Plymouth Prowler, Toyota MR2... but those type of production cars still don't sell as well as Ford's Taurus, or Toyota's Camry. The mass market is boring, basically by definition. If lots of people buy something, it becomes commonplace.
20 years ago, in-console display screens and backup cameras were super-rare / futuristic.
🌻🌻 [google.com]
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday January 14 2018, @10:40PM (1 child)
production cars never look like the wild concept car prototypes
A bunch of design ideas from a 1965 Chevy concept car [google.com] did make it into the production run a few years later. [google.com]
-- OriginalOwner_ [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 2) by JoeMerchant on Monday January 15 2018, @01:55PM
The Corvette and Viper (and especially the GT-40) are sort of Unicorns to the Camaro and Mustang's pony - they sort of stand on the bridge between production and concept.
But, even the Corvette and Viper never managed to do production scissor doors.
🌻🌻 [google.com]
(Score: 2) by Webweasel on Monday January 15 2018, @09:52AM (3 children)
Man, I loved my MR2. Such an awesome car. Eventually became a single father with 2 kids. This resulted in me selling it, which was a real shame after all the effort I put in (Engine swap, lots of mods)
I'm going to put a deposit down with the local import garage in a few months and ask them to find me a shining example. Planning on a 1999 Turbo with as low mileage as possible, ideally white to go with my Celica GT4. Shame the Supra got so popular and is stupid money now. I'd love to have all 3 parked outside my house, all in white. Well, two out of three isn't bad.
Hey I can dream can't I?
Priyom.org Number stations, Russian Military radio. "You are a bad, bad man. Do you have any other virtues?"-Runaway1956
(Score: 2) by JoeMerchant on Monday January 15 2018, @01:57PM (2 children)
Yep, I've been fortunate enough to hang on to my mod-toy, a 1991 Miata bought new, turbocharged in 1996, and still with us.
See, the secret is: if you're a family of 4 with 2 drivers, you just get a 2nd 2 seater... Also, living like a redneck on a big piece of land gives more room to park the toys.
🌻🌻 [google.com]
(Score: 2) by Webweasel on Monday January 15 2018, @02:25PM (1 child)
Yes, the MX5/Miata is a great car. A colleague at bought one as his first sports car, we went out one lunch so he could show it to me. "Hey why not drive it back to the office?" Game on!
By the time we got back he was white with fear and just kept repeating "Ive never taken a car to its redline before"
That was a fun day.
Priyom.org Number stations, Russian Military radio. "You are a bad, bad man. Do you have any other virtues?"-Runaway1956
(Score: 2) by JoeMerchant on Monday January 15 2018, @02:44PM
I've got two now, picked up a '99 for $2500 - it's got mismatched tires, and a general case of not being owned by a driving enthusiast for many years, but it's still easy to toss into a nice, controlled 4 wheel drift on the 270 degree on ramp every day, rain or shine.
🌻🌻 [google.com]