TDT
02-04-2007, 12:09 PM
I just finished watching the Science Channel documentary: Extreme Concept Cars.
First of all, can someone explain to me what is the point of having a concept car show? I guess the only point is to show off to people too ignorant to know better. Well since none of those cars are going to be built – fully or even partly – within the next 50 years. It seems to be just an exercise in visual masturbation. Also the ones who are not just for looks but actually have some practical concepts or “green” technologies are ridiculous at best. Take for instance those hatchbacks that have cargo space that converts into a pickup: it could be a neat idea, but how much will it cost? I would bet the cost right now is approaching the money required to BUY the pickup truck. Not to mention you don’t really add more cargo space. Or the Ford Model U concept made entirely out of corn fiber. During the presentation they added “now you can not only have your green car but eat it too!”. I just want to spank the producers.
Oh and the green technologies are really laughable. They also showed the converted hydrogen powered Honda (CR-V I think it was). Nevermind that any discussions on the merits of hydrogen power versus other green technologies were left out. Nevermind that hydrogen as it stands right now is actually MORE polluting since the process of splitting water into H2 is highly inefficient.
It is all an exercise in futility driven by circular reasoning: you have to do it because everybody else is doing it. Great, just great.
Oh and the Science channel’s 45 minute show spent about 41 minutes talking about Ford, GM and Chevrolet’s concepts… hummm. WOW, desperation at its finest here. It was going on and on about the Ford GT. The concept that actually made it to sales as a supercar – a rare even in concept world where everything remains a concept. And they were interviewing this supposedly “world famous” car designer who designed the current Ford GT based on the old GT40 that won Le Mans 4 times back in the 1960s by “leaving those Ferrari’s in the dust”. Funny that they left out the little trivia that Ferrari has won Le Mans 9 times, more than Ford ever will as it is going to go broke pretty soon. It also left out production car trivia, like the fact that Ford Mustangs are designed and built with the same love and care that Ferrari puts into designing it’s back seat’s optional ashtray.
First of all, can someone explain to me what is the point of having a concept car show? I guess the only point is to show off to people too ignorant to know better. Well since none of those cars are going to be built – fully or even partly – within the next 50 years. It seems to be just an exercise in visual masturbation. Also the ones who are not just for looks but actually have some practical concepts or “green” technologies are ridiculous at best. Take for instance those hatchbacks that have cargo space that converts into a pickup: it could be a neat idea, but how much will it cost? I would bet the cost right now is approaching the money required to BUY the pickup truck. Not to mention you don’t really add more cargo space. Or the Ford Model U concept made entirely out of corn fiber. During the presentation they added “now you can not only have your green car but eat it too!”. I just want to spank the producers.
Oh and the green technologies are really laughable. They also showed the converted hydrogen powered Honda (CR-V I think it was). Nevermind that any discussions on the merits of hydrogen power versus other green technologies were left out. Nevermind that hydrogen as it stands right now is actually MORE polluting since the process of splitting water into H2 is highly inefficient.
It is all an exercise in futility driven by circular reasoning: you have to do it because everybody else is doing it. Great, just great.
Oh and the Science channel’s 45 minute show spent about 41 minutes talking about Ford, GM and Chevrolet’s concepts… hummm. WOW, desperation at its finest here. It was going on and on about the Ford GT. The concept that actually made it to sales as a supercar – a rare even in concept world where everything remains a concept. And they were interviewing this supposedly “world famous” car designer who designed the current Ford GT based on the old GT40 that won Le Mans 4 times back in the 1960s by “leaving those Ferrari’s in the dust”. Funny that they left out the little trivia that Ferrari has won Le Mans 9 times, more than Ford ever will as it is going to go broke pretty soon. It also left out production car trivia, like the fact that Ford Mustangs are designed and built with the same love and care that Ferrari puts into designing it’s back seat’s optional ashtray.
