Less is More

Words: Devin Langston 

Back to The Basics: In the late 80's to mid 90's, automakers could do no wrong when it came down to building supercars. Every year consumers could count on a new car coming in and setting the bar for the next vehicle. From the ever popular Ferrari F40, Porsche 959, to the Mclaren F1 the list is endless and legendary. During these times it seemed as if each car did exactly what a proper super car is supposed to, and had what was needed to be a great car. Leather seats, wood grain, and over the top sound systems weren't included. Every car was light, fast, agile, and they even looked better than most road cars now. Today we see the super car world dominated by a  few companies, with other makers trying to break in, or revive whats left in the tank. One main difference between then and now is competition between companies. Cars were shooting out left and right from every direction of the globe, each better then the last. Competition was so scarce that it brought out the best of everyone. It felt as if there was more passion and craftsmanship being put into every car. Porsche was one of the first companies to strike gold when they shocked the world with the 959 in 1986. During that era, it was the best looking and fastest street legal car you could purchase. Porsche used the technology used in their 911 GT1 StaBenversion to create the 959. In response to Porsche's success, Ferrari released its 288 GTO successor, the F40. The V8 twin-turbocharged F40 easily hit speeds in access of 200 mph.The F40 was a basic model supercar that got the job done. There were no special bells and whistles with the car. Ferrari felt that there was no need for a radio since the engine was so monstrously loud. Power windows weren't needed, nor were floorboards. The F40 also had no traction control, and was one of the first supercars to use turbo-chargers. As impressive as those cars were, McLaren blessed the automotive world with the F1. The 240 mile an hour beast set the standard for speed, creativity, and prestige. In a 1994 Autocar article, it was "The McLaren F1 is the finest driving machine yet built for the public road."  Each one of these cars was heavily praised and received accolades for what they were able to accomplish. Though each vehicle is different, it's safe to say that all of them exemplified what a true supercar is.

Today's Dilemma: The thrill of driving a supercar today has drastically fallen off. Cars are constantly being altered today. They are altered so much to the point that its becoming a burden. The technology used in supercars today is taking away from the overall driving experience. In the early years of the supercar, it was road, car, and driver. Computer assistance was almost nonexistent in road going supercars.Yes, times have changed and the EPA has set standards on just about every aspect on what they think a "proper" automobile should have. The EPA is making it become harder and harder to build a car that's safe and appeals to consumer. Credit is given to the automaker in that category, but adding tons of computers isn't helping the process. Some of the computers are essential for safe driving, but not all of them are necessary. We all know that weight plays a big part in performance, the less weight you have, the better your performance is. It's evident that over the years cars have began to get slower, with a few exceptions. Just about every car today  is weighed down with tons of computers. Take a trip back to the early 90's where speed was essential for a great car. The best cars where easily exceeding speeds of  200 mph. The XJ220 Jaguar topped out at 220mph, the EB110 Buggati stopped at a modest 217, and the Koenig C62 set a record speed of 235 mph! Each of these cars were fairly light causing them to reach such speeds. Today Ferrari's most recent supercar the 599 GTO is a huge computer on wheels. All the on board technology adds up to a grand total of 3,540lbs, causing several problems for the Italian stallion. When tested on top gear, it was sliding all over the track even with the traction control on. The GTO shed about 220lbs from the first model, but it added more technology in the process. There has also been a lack of creativity now-a-days. Computers are often responsible for the creation of a lot of cars. The Lamborghini Aventador, and the McLaren MP4 12-C are amazing vehicles in every way minus the fact they were made by computers performance and design wise. A laziness factor has blanketed the entire car world with only a few companies sticking to the basics.

The end of an era:  Our supercars basically drive themselves today, which is not what they are meant for. Back in the days of the F1 and F40, supercars were driven with a purpose, not solely prestige. We have strayed away from what a supercar should honestly be. Even the little things that make you want to take the car out on a scenic drive mid Sunday  has faded over the years.The thrill of driving down the road feeling the roaring V12 engine hammering down on your back has subsided. The feeling of  your stomach flying to the back of  your bucketseat when taking off from the stoplight is no longer there. The fun of taking a sharp turn and fighting against your machine is absent now. The great era of utilizing basic necessities to make a car is forever gone.We are so dependent on computers and adding more to what we already have is ruining the supercar world. It isn't always about the quantity inside the car, but  more about the passion and quality put into the overall project.

The 3

Words: Charlie Austin

Upon first look at the new 2012 BMW 3 Series F30 sedan, it seems to have been decked out by the EPA and punched in the nose by the 5 Series whose butt it stole from. Literally the only thing that sets it apart from BMW's current model range is the headlights kissing the grill, and even that is a controversial subject at first look. However, it is amazing what such a simple change can do, take out that strip of headlight and the F30 becomes a timid coward. Spec-wise, the smallest in the model range has gotten longer, wider, and taller. We just can't wrap our heads around why manufacturers feel as if their cars have to be stretched in all directions with each model year, compared to the classic E30, the F30 is over a half-a-foot longer and wider. Now it may seem as if all has gone wrong in Deutschland, but how important are these nit-picking criticisms people so easily jump to?

With Car & Driver staff buying the BMW 3 Series more than any other car and the 3 Series being the most successful BMW in history, the F30 is truly an important event for the car world and a momentous event for BMW and it goes without saying, BMW probably could have released an exact copy of the E36, E46, or E90 and the BMW cult would give praise. The BMW 3 series has been known for bearing the quintessence of engineering and driver to car communication powerful enough to inform you which tread of the tire passed over a tiny pebble in the road. So what really is new? Has BMW done it again?

Even though the F30 BMW has gained a couple of inches in all directions, it has remarkably managed to drop weight, the incoming 335i is an astonishing 55 pounds lighter than the outgoing one. One thing we hate to see, however, is the straight-sixes being replaced by EPA-friendly turbo fours. Luckily, however, two less cylinders and a turbo seem to cancel out; the new 328i will come in with 14 extra horses, not quite a Scuderia, but quite a jump up to 242 hp. The new 3 Series will come in 3 different lines, "Sport", "Modern", and "Luxury". The differences between the three can be summed up in chrome and matte accents, key fob colors, and interior finishes. All in all, the new F30 BMW is not a drastic change from the E9X, but it begs the question, why change something that is already great? And when you take into account the increases in hp and the weight shedding, the familiar taillights seem to fade away. Another great 3 Series?, we think so.