The worlds "supermodel" and "supercar" have something more in common than their first letters. I think both are beginning to take on looser meanings, but still ensure we men get very excited. Or maybe they have loose meanings because what gets men excited is always changing?! I'm not quite sure yet.
Let's start by redefining the first one. For example, a supermodel of the year 2014 might have niche attributes. She might be covered in tattoos and other body modifications. Her whole career might revolve around Twitter, Facebook or Youtube activities that bring her global audiences. And the millionaires she dates could be app developers or poker players.
Supercars on the other hand, well they are and will always be cars that are better, that capture your imagination and appear to have supernatural properties. That's why people continue to say the Audi R8, Nissan GT-R or the Mercedes SLS AMG fall into the category, even though they don't. And I'm willing to bet money that by 2015, a great deal of people will call the i8 a supercar as well.
Everybody seems to agree that Italy is the birthplace and spiritual home of the supercar, but what are they really about? I thing supercars were born from a desire to race and to show power or wealth. Europe's rich wanted road-going versions of their favorite Ferrari or Alfa Romeo racers and they got them. In that sense, maybe pre-war Bentleys or Mercs might also be considered archaic supercars. But they don't have the engine in the middle, now do they?
That's kind of beside the point, since owning a supercar actually means having the best technology possible, not an engine mounted abnormally (which a Pontiac Fiero has). In the 70s, tech had to do with the way engines burned their fuel. Now though, experimental exotic materials bring the world of science fiction to life. The V10 in the Huracan doesn't make it super – the Gallardo had one too – it's the way they were able to press the aluminum into sharp edges and the carbon fiber trim pieces that do the job.
I'm convinced the future of the supercar industry is combining turbocharging and hybrid technology. You can already see it everywhere you look in the industry.
For a while, electrified vehicles were the laughing stock of the internet. "Oh, that's not a car, that's a toaster" and "no way I'd pay that much for a hybrid" sort of trolling. Auto reviewers continued to tell us natural aspiration was/is/will always be perfect… right up until the point where the 918 Spyder was revealed.
Nobody actually noticed that owners don't do what auto reviewers say, that they don't spend their whole lives on the track. Most are happy to ship their Aventadors to Cannes or London and live there for the summer, trapped by tall buildings and traffic. After that they go on cross-country rallies like the Gumball 3000, participate in charity events and do car club activities. Think about it: doesn't the hybrid stuff fit perfectly with this kind of lifestyle?
Beyond the drivetrain tech, anything that projects an aura of "awesome" will change the industry. To name but a few features, BMW's Smokey Burnout, Tesla's tablet console and Porsche's Targa top or 4-wheel steering should all combine into one cool car sooner or later.
But what if in 2030 you'll be able to change the color at the press of a button? What if you never have to wash it or worry about scratches? And wouldn't you like to buy the Tron light cycle or the Audi R8 with cylindrical wheels from iRobot? Now there's a thought.
Supercars on the other hand, well they are and will always be cars that are better, that capture your imagination and appear to have supernatural properties. That's why people continue to say the Audi R8, Nissan GT-R or the Mercedes SLS AMG fall into the category, even though they don't. And I'm willing to bet money that by 2015, a great deal of people will call the i8 a supercar as well.
Everybody seems to agree that Italy is the birthplace and spiritual home of the supercar, but what are they really about? I thing supercars were born from a desire to race and to show power or wealth. Europe's rich wanted road-going versions of their favorite Ferrari or Alfa Romeo racers and they got them. In that sense, maybe pre-war Bentleys or Mercs might also be considered archaic supercars. But they don't have the engine in the middle, now do they?
That's kind of beside the point, since owning a supercar actually means having the best technology possible, not an engine mounted abnormally (which a Pontiac Fiero has). In the 70s, tech had to do with the way engines burned their fuel. Now though, experimental exotic materials bring the world of science fiction to life. The V10 in the Huracan doesn't make it super – the Gallardo had one too – it's the way they were able to press the aluminum into sharp edges and the carbon fiber trim pieces that do the job.
I'm convinced the future of the supercar industry is combining turbocharging and hybrid technology. You can already see it everywhere you look in the industry.
For a while, electrified vehicles were the laughing stock of the internet. "Oh, that's not a car, that's a toaster" and "no way I'd pay that much for a hybrid" sort of trolling. Auto reviewers continued to tell us natural aspiration was/is/will always be perfect… right up until the point where the 918 Spyder was revealed.
Nobody actually noticed that owners don't do what auto reviewers say, that they don't spend their whole lives on the track. Most are happy to ship their Aventadors to Cannes or London and live there for the summer, trapped by tall buildings and traffic. After that they go on cross-country rallies like the Gumball 3000, participate in charity events and do car club activities. Think about it: doesn't the hybrid stuff fit perfectly with this kind of lifestyle?
Beyond the drivetrain tech, anything that projects an aura of "awesome" will change the industry. To name but a few features, BMW's Smokey Burnout, Tesla's tablet console and Porsche's Targa top or 4-wheel steering should all combine into one cool car sooner or later.
But what if in 2030 you'll be able to change the color at the press of a button? What if you never have to wash it or worry about scratches? And wouldn't you like to buy the Tron light cycle or the Audi R8 with cylindrical wheels from iRobot? Now there's a thought.
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