As I read about the new LR4 and it's lack of a dip stick and oil drain plug, I feel compelled to predict that we are about to enter the third "Dark Ages of the Automobile". By Dark Ages, I mean a period of time where the design of autos goes through profound technological change but there is NO GAIN in the enjoyment of the auto. In fact, the car and your joy of owning and maintaining will mark you as a social pariah, a misfit in society. This Dark age will last anywhere from 5 to 15 years, and half of the manufacturers in business today will not survive. The class of cars of cars that might be characterized as "enthusiast models" (sports cars and rugged SUV's???) will almost completely disappear.
The first Dark Age started in 1929. The Great Depression marked the extinction of the "berg's, the phaeton's, and the 'pre-war Benz's, Bentley's, Aston Martins', Alfa's and the demise of about 80% of all manufacturers. The second Dark Age started in 1974 with the introduction of air-pollution and safety laws. It was an era of cars designed by insurance companies (remember 5 mph bumpers), environmentalist (55 mph speed limit and 85 mph speedos), and the DOT ( auto-engaging seat belts). European makes were the first to exit the last dark age partly because of their Bosch fuel injection systems and emphasis on "safety built in".
Common to all Dark Ages is an economic collapse and mis-guided government regulation. Here is my short list of sign posts to the next auto apocalypse:
1. Long Live the Hummer. No to my taste but you got to love a country and a company that could build a brand around basically two vehicles.
2. Start Stop engines. After you're rear-ended once you'll know why.
3. Green Design Initiatives. That just means that you nor any else will ever change the oil.
4. Hi Tech Batteries. They cost about half the price of the vehicle have a service life measured in months and hundreds of cycle. Just wait to till one spontaneously combusts. Dust off the old Pinto lawsuit papers.
I'm not saying that auto's are doomed, just that we are about to go through a long rough patch where there will be a shortage of exciting and reliable models. Can we have cars that are environmentally (more) responsible, substantially more efficient, and still be fun? I predict (hope?) there will be an LR6 maybe LR7 with a small diesel engine, electric motors for each wheel and no more than 100 lbs of batteries. The electric motors will handle most of the braking needs, all of the traction control, and boost acceleration. And, IT WILL BE A GREAT OFF-ROADER with all of it's torque available instantly, able to operate by battery with water over the hood (works for submarines), get 40 mpg and last for 250,000 miles. Unfortunately, we'll have to drive a lot of crap cars before that dream is built. Unless....
If your old enough to wish you (or your dad) had bought (or kept) that Hemi Cuda, SS396, Boss Mustang, or CJ5 with the 304 V8 (there weren't very many Series II's in the States back then) this is your chance to do it in this generation. So, regardless of the problems you might be having with your LR3, maintain it 'cause they ain't make'in them like they used to.
The first Dark Age started in 1929. The Great Depression marked the extinction of the "berg's, the phaeton's, and the 'pre-war Benz's, Bentley's, Aston Martins', Alfa's and the demise of about 80% of all manufacturers. The second Dark Age started in 1974 with the introduction of air-pollution and safety laws. It was an era of cars designed by insurance companies (remember 5 mph bumpers), environmentalist (55 mph speed limit and 85 mph speedos), and the DOT ( auto-engaging seat belts). European makes were the first to exit the last dark age partly because of their Bosch fuel injection systems and emphasis on "safety built in".
Common to all Dark Ages is an economic collapse and mis-guided government regulation. Here is my short list of sign posts to the next auto apocalypse:
1. Long Live the Hummer. No to my taste but you got to love a country and a company that could build a brand around basically two vehicles.
2. Start Stop engines. After you're rear-ended once you'll know why.
3. Green Design Initiatives. That just means that you nor any else will ever change the oil.
4. Hi Tech Batteries. They cost about half the price of the vehicle have a service life measured in months and hundreds of cycle. Just wait to till one spontaneously combusts. Dust off the old Pinto lawsuit papers.
I'm not saying that auto's are doomed, just that we are about to go through a long rough patch where there will be a shortage of exciting and reliable models. Can we have cars that are environmentally (more) responsible, substantially more efficient, and still be fun? I predict (hope?) there will be an LR6 maybe LR7 with a small diesel engine, electric motors for each wheel and no more than 100 lbs of batteries. The electric motors will handle most of the braking needs, all of the traction control, and boost acceleration. And, IT WILL BE A GREAT OFF-ROADER with all of it's torque available instantly, able to operate by battery with water over the hood (works for submarines), get 40 mpg and last for 250,000 miles. Unfortunately, we'll have to drive a lot of crap cars before that dream is built. Unless....
If your old enough to wish you (or your dad) had bought (or kept) that Hemi Cuda, SS396, Boss Mustang, or CJ5 with the 304 V8 (there weren't very many Series II's in the States back then) this is your chance to do it in this generation. So, regardless of the problems you might be having with your LR3, maintain it 'cause they ain't make'in them like they used to.
But seriously,for years now,manufacturers are trying to take away fun from driving,let us falsely relay on complicated electronics,leaving an actual driver to feel like a passenger.Sure it will be nice to jump into your future car being drunk and all and simply say "take my home" without usual consequences,but where is the fun?.Good thing is I don't drink and drive.
