Quote:
Originally Posted by Year's_End
Not at all. People these days glorify old cars of the past. As enthusiasts, we have a massive selection of cost-effective performance automobiles to choose from.
These are the main threats that modern technology impose on the enthusiast crowd:
-Increased weight (from added airbags and chassis reinforcement)
-Heavier implementation of electronic safety nets (STM, TSC, preventative braking, etc.)
-Electric power sources replacing traditional sources (EPS, hybrid powertrains)
-Advanced transmissions replacing manuals (DCT, torque converter and wet-clutch automatics, CVTs, and SMGs)
-Adjustable suspensions (magnetic/electric) are usually a hit or miss. A good suspension usually came straight out of the factory.
The benefits from these same 'threats':
-The added airbags and chassis reinforcements improve actual safety during impact exponentially, and improved torsional rigidity means better performance
-You can disable most safety nets on performance cars
-EPS is getting better with each new model and generation. It's also more precise and steering effort is usually more consistent (if less natural), plus it has fuel efficiency gains
-'Manumatics' are becoming fine-tuned in high end cars. Response times are fractions of what they used to be. Many transmissions will hold gear to redline. They're usually more efficient now thanks to added gears and the ability to quickly upshift. They can also be programmed to add 'slam' and 'soul' into shifts.
-Adjustable suspensions have added a large amount of multiple-personality to cars, lending them Jeckyll/Hyde characteristics.
Lets not forget that engineers are constantly pushing the edge with traditional fuel sources; we're seeing higher and higher compression ratios, improved F/I throttle response, more linear power curves, and across-the-board improved fuel efficiency.
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However the MP4-12C did not win any comparision test against the 458 Italia.