Prius Hybrid’s Victory (The Soul or the Washing Mashing) Part 1

"What does not destroy me, makes me stronger" (С) Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

Yes, it seems a very strange beginning of the article about cars, but, you know, they do not kill us and at the same time make us stronger. Is it right? Yes, absolutely. The car itself cannot do any awful thing. But the driver can.

I am a big fan of JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) cars, especially their full flourish (in my opinion):  the cars with year of manufacture from the mid 1990s to early 2000s. It was the time of legendary Honda Type R, the rally glory of eternal rivals WRX STI and EVO, Skyline GTR in 32 to 34 body shapes. I am not too old, but I am sure that the previous cars were built better, with rare honesty and heart. Is it worth mentioning about legendary American muscle cars made in 60-70s or worldwide known Group B in Rally? However nowadays an automobile industry and, actually, the whole World are under of marketing professionals’ influence.  Cars are built cheaper, more safety and impersonal on the surface as well as in the technicality. Are there any global changes in the safety systems? Did the physical laws or the principals of engine-building have any innovations? No. But due to some reasons car manufactures began to sell their souls to marketroid and play the role of professionals in creating of utility vehicles or mass-produced cars for middle social class. China and South Korea will lead the world in cheap car sector in the nearest future. Only unique models with breakthrough technologies in engine systems and transmission and also track records have the real value. Otherwise the labels “Toyota”, “Honda” or “Ford” mean nothing for costumers: when costumer buys vehicle not for pleasure but for budget saving, he does not think about marks, brands and labels. Things can't be all that bad and the range of the greatest corporations has top expensive models with leading developments in design, safety system, etc. but where is the soul, the heart, the speed?

Yes, I am about speed. Modern safety systems help to brake, increase the speed, turn corners, change gear, drive. I am not an enemy of progress and innovation but the place marketing and green peace take the auto sport is ‘nowhere’.  Electric cars will be the queens of Formula1 and WRC after several years, and our grandkids will believe that Play Station is the only place for Rally, in a different way it is dangerous for pilots and environment.

These fifty-fifty cars between normal and remotely piloted vehicles are the reason of losing the control by drivers in the ordinary road situations. Drivers should remember that the mass of their car is about one ton and more and no innovation can change the physical laws. The defensive driving is the driver’s reliability not the computer’s one. 

All of us know about road traffic regulations but how many people follow them?  Unfortunately, not a lot.  However there are different types of non-observances. For instance, there is typical situation in place of my birth: if someone overdrives, he is not afraid anything or anyone. If there is a 90 km/h speed-limit sign, he drives 150 km per hour, and if the limit is 60 km/h, he drives at the same manner. In Russia the drivers are a law unto themselves. Of course, there is a plenty of law-abiding citizens in my country, but the others predominate. The corruption is simple explanation. The Russian traffic police have a reputation for bribery and fear up to other security ministers. So if you want to break a law, you can give money to policeman or show the significant certificate of some governmental department. Be sure you will be free to go.

You can drive over the regulated limit on 5 to 10 km/h in many countries where the traffic police work better. And 15-20 km/h over speeding fine is quite bearable for driver’s wallet. So often we can see the situation when stream of cars go with speed 110-120 km/h where the regulation is 100 km/h. I think that they have two faces, because they cannot be a little bit pregnant. Overdriving is a breaking a law, no matter how many kilometers over limit. Let’s imagine an accident situation. If you are a good law-abiding driver and the speed of your car is up to fixed limit, are you absolutely sure that you will be able to prevent an accident? Then think about drivers who exceed the limits.  

And the super story about street racers who imagine themselves as professional drivers in fast cars on public roads. As far as I know people who like street racing never buy race car because the most part of them cannot drive. But there are some exceptions. However street racers are afraid of training, the driving theory and practices. They are afraid to participate even in semi-professional competitions. Moreover, many street racers cannot understand why society finds them dangerous. What would they feel if someone began to fire into the crowed? Not to certain person but just for joy. I am sure that professional will never do the same thing. So the government should improve and develop professional racing sport as well as other sport social campaigns.  It will show to young people the behavior samples not the images in ‘Fast & Furious’ movie.

Marketing professionals and Green Peace… Is it profitable for both of them or only for one side when people buy just body on wheels instead of heart car?..

To be continued.  

Best regards!
Milbar