#29 - Less is More

Why is the definition of evolution and development so unequivocally linked to complexity? It constantly feels like in our search for the future, we are too narrowly guided by the belief that the more we throw at a problem; be it money, technology and time…..the better it will ultimately turn out.

I sat with bated breath this morning as I watched McLaren CEO Mike Flewitt introduce to the world their latest LT model, the 765LT. It was the typically slick affair (albeit in the unusual setting of the MTC in Woking rather than Geneva) as a sea of “interested” people (aka paid for employees) gently bobbed their heads up and down in acknowledgement of a plethora of technical details about the new car which sat pride of place next to the almost as new Elva and GT models. To briefly summarise; more power, more carbon fibre (if that’s even possible), less weight and 4 massive exhausts pipes that look like they have been stolen off a Corvette "to create a high-pitched, engaging note that becomes sharper and sharper as it builds to an incredible crescendo."…..press foot harder = more noise.

Visually, there are a multitude of winglets and air vents all painfully engineered to contour air around the car in order to make it stick harder to the road whilst ensuring that the engine stays at optimum temperature…..it is text book McLaren and a necessary peacocking in the 488 Pista, Aventador SVJ and Porsche GT2 RS world we live in. However, the reoccurring thought I kept having while I tried to comprehend how many flaming exhaust videos of the car will appear across the internet over the next couple of weeks was…….”it’s awfully fussy”.

Now I won’t bore you again with my concerns around the modern day Lightweight Track Special cars that manufacturers are churning out these days….head over to THE LEANING TOWER OF PISTA to read those at your own peril. No, instead I want to focus on the problem that is really afflicting the whole automotive industry at the moment……from Kia’s to Koenigsegg’s. You see manufacturers have got it in their heads that we the car buying public want, no need more and more technologically advanced cars in order to be content. We need cars that can self-park, have 15 different seat massage settings, lane assist, park assist, wipe your ass assist…..my point is manufacturers are making car driving more lazy which in turn means drivers are becoming worse.

Bottom-line….. it’s dangerous. Cars are getting bigger and faster, the roads we are driving on are staying the same size and becoming increasingly overcrowded and the man in the Volvo XC90 doesn’t need to look over his shoulder anymore to check his blind spot because a silly little orange pimple on his wing mirror will tell him it’s safe to change lane…….I’m sorry but its utter BS.

In the Contemporary Classics arsenal we are fortunate enough to have an 11 year old Toyota Yaris. It is probably one of my favourite cars to drive and that’s principally because it makes you think while you are driving it. There’s no hill start assist or parking sensors and reversing camera to negotiate the car park on a Saturday morning when everyone’s decided to make the pilgrimage to Waitrose. No, you have to rely on things like clutch control and depth perception……dear God!

Now some of you will fairly assume that I am being overly cynical. A prematurely aged chronophobi-ist who is unwilling to move with the times. The thing is, there will come a day when the orange zit on the wing mirror of that Volvo will misdiagnose a motorcyclist/minibus/lorry et al and the driver of it will unwillingly pull out into oncoming traffic and……

It’s the same with modern day supercars. Biblical power and performance that can be exploited with your eyes closed. I am all for technological advancement; Combustion engines which are less harmful to our planet or even substitute fuel sources, complex material development to make lighter, stronger and safer structures, viable alternative methods of transport to keep us off the roads…..But don’t foster laziness. When we are dead we can afford to be lazy, but while our heart still beats make us work for it.

Happy Motoring,

Greg