As we take to the road on these beautiful sun-filled days, we see hot rods and motorcycles revving engines up and down the highways.
The increased torque and horsepower of these beastly machines would lead one to believe we have entered a new muscle car era that rivals the 1960s.
The 2017 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat boasts 707 hp with 650 lb-ft of torque, claiming 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds.
The original Dodge Demon, a variation of the Dodge Dart, made a presence from 1966 to 1976. But, that poor muscle car would have nothing on the 2018 Dodge Demon, which roars with 840 hp that can thrust this gas guzzler from 0-60 mph in 2.3 seconds.
And, if that’s not enough power for you, just keep your eyes and ears open for the fast and furious 1,000 hp 2018 Trans Am produced by Trans Am Worldwide — since Pontiac is dead.
Does a person need that much horsepower? I’m pretty sure 150 hp can still earn you a speeding ticket. However, these excessive vehicles are selling for a reason.
Fahrvergnügen.
Yes, “driving enjoyment,” as coined by the Germans in 1990.
So, how can it be possible that at the same time automotive manufacturers are putting more rumble under the hood, they are also investing in the passive experience of driverless cars. It seems like we are heading in two different directions at the same time.
Yes, we have a segment of today’s drivers getting excited about more horsepower and the joy of driving a vehicle.
But, we also have a segment of the population that doesn’t enjoy driving at all. I was listening to a spot on MPR (Minnesota Public Radio) and they were talking about driverless cars. They interviewed a 20-something young lady who said she didn’t like driving and she was exciting about a vehicle that would just drive itself. She did live in New York, so that may have had something to do with displeasure with driving a vehicle.
Surely, if and when driverless cars hit the roadways with mass production, there will be selling points to encourage more drivers to give up control.
For example, think of all of the work you’ll be able to do while your car drives you to work. If you have a one hour commute, you can log onto your laptop or tablet, connect to the Internet and either go shopping or work. Let your car concentrate while you get distracted. Speaking of getting distracted, you’ll be able to text and “drive” without any worries. Or, you could just take a nap.
And, nobody will be able to break the speed limit. The driverless cars will be regulated with manufacturer-installed governors. The artificial intelligence of driverless cars will observe and comply with the speed limit at all times.
No more DWI arrests, I would assume. When impaired individuals hop in their driverless cars, it will be like a sober cab safely escorting them straight to their home destination.
Hey, we may need less law enforcement policing the roadways for vehicular violations. Who knows, we may have minimal need for fire departments and ambulances to respond to accidents involving vehicles.
If we have driverless cars, then what about driverless motorcycles? I’m sure that is on the technology radar, as well.
Yes, there will be many “selling” points for all of us to consider. And, according to the world famous scientist Stephen Hawking, driverless cars will become commonplace sooner than we may want to believe.
But, then there’s the flip-side. What happens if the technology in a driverless car fails? REBOOT!!! Who is liable? Is it the auto manufacturer or the owner of the vehicle who is merely a passenger?
I’m not ready to accept the possibility that someday I will own a vehicle that takes away my Fahrvergnügen.
Are you?
Rory Kramer says
Self-driving cars will only work on roads with clearly visible lane markings. Are the thousands of miles of gravel roads in Minnesota clearly marked with lane markings? No. During the winter months, cars like these will be inoperable during snow falls as they won’t be able to see the lane markings. Accidents are still going to happen. People will get too accustomed to the ease of just “being along for the ride” and will stop paying attention to what’s going on around them while they’re talking on their cellphone/texting. Then, when there is a malfunction in the system they will freak out and not remember what they need to do.
Thomas E. Hobbes says
Along the same lines (no pun intended), self-driving cars are probably going to be for designated roads initially. Yes, there are some already on regular roads, however, with specified roads solely for automated cars, there will be more ways than solid lines to keep the cars on the roads; internal and external sensors linked with the road itself and other vehicles, and preventative measures for wildlife. There would be little to no reason why such a designated highway couldn’t have limitless speeds. All this will take time. It will likely be decades.
James Petrillo says
I understand the idea of being able to enjoy driving. I myself have driven cars they gave me enjoyment, however enjoyment does not preclude awareness or skill . I look forward to self driving vehicles on all major roads… when I think of the pictures of my father’s dead and bloody body underneath the pick up truck on County Road eight I think, “this did not have to happen” the other driver was completely negligent. My father was driving a motorcycle and he could clearly see the other car coming and turning in front of him at the last minute, he even put the bike into a skid to avoid fatal injury. The truck went over him completely and he was crushed and killed. Self driving vehicles for the purpose of transportation will make such events A thing of the past. There is of course a compromise, and a business opportunity. Closed tracks for people who want to enjoy the driving experience can be an entertaining
and profitable industry. But our roads which we all share need to be made safe for everyone. Auto makers like tesla are working hard to ensure that the cars do not malfunction, and I am sure that a “driver” will be required if anything goes wrong. Look up the statistics of road deaths then tell me it’s not worth it