Deep Behind Enemy Lines
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 02.12.07
That’s how it felt at times to be at the Philly Car Show. Sure, there was the hybrid Lexus. And the Prius, though it was relegated to the far edge of Toyota’s display. Plus a few yellow gas caps, and a green “exotic” made by local high school students. But overall, the show made continued promise of a back to the low-mileage future. As if to underscore that 1950s point of view, young “spokeswomen” stood on the edges of the display turntables, reciting their lines in tight pony-tails. Some of the most fuel efficient vehicles on display, ironically, were the antique or “classic” models in a basement room. A crowd favorite there seemed to be a pair from the old Volvo P series (pictured below), one of which, as a sign proclaimed, had apparently set the Guinness Book record for most miles put on a single vehicle. The old P1800 got an average 25 mpg. Those where the days when Volvos earned their chops. Before the “supersize-me” engines became standard issue.
Early on we stumbled into the Hip-Hop section, filled with small, highly decorated sedans - the entire room was immersed in ear splitting music. (See tail-winged Scion from this grouping, shown in top photo.) At this point, the parallel of highly decal- or “tear”-laden car bodies and tattooed human bodies, both featuring equally elaborate scroll and flame patterns, became obvious.
With ears still ringing, on the main floor ahead, were acres of American-designed vehicles. On the edge of each SUV-encircling throng, I walked, occasionally whispering furtively: “Cli..mate….Change.” Dirty looks were all I got in response.
In what seemed to be the car industry’s version of ‘viral marketing,’ several makers offered “free photos” of show goers. Many took the Polaroid bait home: a quintessential moment of kids frozen on the up-swing of Al Gore's climate chart, climbing over seats, adult smiling faces looking on.
Scattered amongst the American offerings were the newest “cross-over” sedans, looking like the mongrel offspring of 1960s’ vintage, low-rider wagons, mated reluctantly with SUVs. These crossover hybrid proportions looked brutish and ungainly, their down-sloping rear roofs bent at the back edge to form the low-rider style rear windows, reduced rear visibility not withstanding. [Imagine the car execs at an upcoming Congressional Climate Change hearing, declaring that ‘In the interest of consumer safety, we will not compromise with smaller, lighter vehicles’. Right.]
By the end of the show it was ever more apparent that the hoped-for success of the Tesla Roadster is critical. And, long departed Nicola Tesla, perhaps the person honored by the Roadster's name, may one day shock us into a more transcendent state with his namesake car.
As someone who works in the environmental field, and someone who likes cars, i find it extrordinarily unhelpful to title a article "behind enemy lines". This merely reinforces the opinion in many circles of the crazy treehugger. By labeling people who like cars as uncaring you are being equally unhelpful.
It helps to understand why car enthusiests want big engines; its the horsepower stupid. Cars with large, powerful engines are simply more fun to drive, period. The Europeans and asian automakers are way ahead of the americans in building smaller, less polluting engines with larger horsepower. Hopefully this should change with smaller, more powerful 4 cylinder and 6 cylinder engines that are being contemplated by US automakers.
For whatever reason, americans want cars that hold lots of "stuff", and as long as oil prices remain relatively low, manufacturers will give people large engines with big horspower to move those vehicles. Moving to smaller, more advanced engines would help issues, but american automakers find it cheaper to build large V8s, as opposed to european automakers who can do the same with V6s.
"By labeling people who like cars as uncaring you are being equally unhelpful."
If you know that something you are doing is wrong yet keep doing it because you're having fun, that can be seen as uncaring. The atmosphere doesn't care that some people have fun driving V8s. Sometimes you just have to stop making excuses, it's not always possible to face a worldwide crisis without ruffling anyone's feathers.
Your computer and the computers running Treehugger are NOT green, therefore we all must be uncaring clouts because we read and post here.
Cars with large, powerful engines are simply more fun to drive, period.
As a previous poster mentioned, the 'fun' factor just doesn't cut it as a justification for an increase in horsepower and associated fuel consumption.
The only excuse I accept for increased horsepower is work related (ie, off road, muddy and snow/ice environments, emergency vehicles)
I will add at the Chicago autoshow I saw whole lot of the Toyota Tundra and only 1 or 2 Prius in the Toyota display. They didn't seem to be pushing the Camary hybrid as much either. Direction shift?
Well, probably not practical but - the current crop of Stupid fUtility Vehicles might be just the thing we need . . . they have great suspensions for carrying the added weight of lots of batteries when they are converted to electric power.
vsk
I happen to totally agree with the statement, "behind enemy lines" - and I'm not a fanatical tree hugger. The attitude of the auto industry reflects and feeds the hunger and desire of the Western attitude for more power, size and speed.
That attitude has been reinforced since the 50's where living the "American Dream" is to be carefree and blissfully selfish. People are still after just that dream; SUV's, whether driven by Soccer Moms, Preppy Execs, or Rap stars are only there to satisfy the craving for more of everything, not the need for personal transportation.
Of course, when is the last time you saw a rap star on MTV who came from 'the streets' with supposedly meager beginnings present himself in a conservative, humble way and sell an album platinum?
Yes, business sells for business alone; sell what people will readily buy, but the industry needs realize that they are not offering anything that would sell if it were marketed to sell. That good 'ol EV1 died because Joe consumer did not want it; it was marketed as something more risky than playing high-stakes poker with your life savings.
So the attitude change needs to come from both ends: Western society has to grow up and learn to find the novelty in its bare necessities, and business needs to believe that it is profitable to sell something and say, "Less is more".
I understand: It is fun to drive like a maniac with a ton of power beneath your butt and your hair on fire, but I find most people, save for that jerk that passes you, only to end up in a traffic jam ten minutes later (and then drive on the shoulder), drive the speed limit - they don't need that extra untapped available power.
I'm perfectly content to careen about the city on a scooter. If image is a problem, I'm sure Mr. Nitrous can live with a modest, yet fully embellished civic sedan, if he had to.
John --
I hope you gave those Gaia-rapers a peace of your mind, and waggled your finger at them disapprovingly.
P.S. As someone who once owned a P1800, I can vouch for it's incredible mileage. It got about 40 miles per transmission rebuild. Cool looking Ghia body, but mechanically, an utter piece of crap.
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Such were the mixed feelings I got from being in a crowd that was idolizing a power capable of destroying the earth..and sharing in their joy from time to time.
Per Wikipedia entry on the P1800, Volvo changed its transmission design completely at least once. Maybe you came on the scene before the needed changes.
My '72 P1800 was a ground-up restoration in the 80's, just before yuppies drove the price up. I had several variations of transmission. They were all garbage, as were the engine and brakes. Someone I knew had the right idea, which I considered doing myself, and that was jamming a Chevy small-block under the hood.
Even better, lose the hood altogether, to make room for a blower, like this guy:
http://volvo1800pictures.com/cust/65_cust_id_674_bildsida.htm
In any case, you don't drive a car like that because it's "reliable transportation". But I doubt someone like you would understand that. Not that I care.
Volkswagen had the Lupo 3l TDi in Europe. It was a car that wood carry four people and their luggage 60 miles with ONE gallo of diesel or bio diesel fuel. It cost a lot more than the standard Lupo so it didn't become very popular. After about five years VW stopped selling it and didn't bring out another car that fuel efficient. They are starting to build Touaregs with V8s and even 12 Cylinders though. And why is that? Its not to blame on the Industry, it's to blame on us because selfish fun and symbols of status are still way over valued.
www.physics.ohio-state.edu/~barrett/energy/transportation/
VW%20Three-Litre%20Car.pdf -
Not sure I agree with the title either. Although I am sure auto makers love selling the biggest and most ineffecient vehicles the can, but it is a supply and demand issue, and if people are buying the biggest SUV they can afford, auto makers will make them.
Appearently we have to make fuel efficency "cool" before the majority of the population will go for it. Kind of like smoking is bad for your body, it seems silly that most people don't think pouring fossil fuels through and engine would be bad for the enviroment, and that maybe we should try to make as little impact to it as possible.
Now, I am a car person, and I do enjoy a good drive at a rather rapid pace. However, I do realize that I as a commuter I need to make as little impact to the enviroment as possible, so I choose not to drive a gas sucking hot rod to work each day, and drive a vehicle that is fueled by veggitable oil instead. Is it excting to drive, well no, but there are fuel efficient vehicles out there that are, and if non fit your lifestyle, make one or have someone make one for you. There are enough people out there that have converted their own cars to electric power, that there are now online stores in which to purchase the parts to build one. If you drive a greater distance than an electric will go, as I do, then there is veggi conversions (not perfect, but carbon neutral) and if you feel like drawing attention to yourself, add some aerodynamic aids to your vehicle to smooth out that airflow around the car and increase your fuel efficiency.
I guess what I am really trying to get across is insteady of griping about what the auto makers are producing, take action and find a way reduce your own emmisions, and then proudly display on your vehicle what your mpg are, or what your alternative fuel is, and tell your friends and co-workers about it. Make it something "cool" to do. And if the auto makers are seeing the trend, then they will follow.
''If you know that something you are doing is wrong yet keep doing it because you're having fun, that can be seen as uncaring. The atmosphere doesn't care that some people have fun driving V8s. Sometimes you just have to stop making excuses, it's not always possible to face a worldwide crisis without ruffling anyone's feathers.''
Does this also go for other things people enjoy such as watching TV, using a computer, eating meat etc?