Our cars are so slow it’s like living in a black and white world

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bigbob

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Looking at the new Porsche 911 S and it does 0-160kmh (99 mph) in 8.1 seconds. What do you reckon a Maser GranTurismo GTS would take? I bet it is at least 11 seconds and maybe 12.

This just shows the pace of automotive development and the fact that Maserati appear to have given in. I know some bright spark will be along in a minute to say the GranTurismo is fast enough (it is actually) and that car ownership is about noise and the feelgood factor but Maserati desperately need another coupe/convertible and we have the Geneva motor show coming up. Will they disappoint us yet again to the extent that we just all gradually give up and move to other brands?
 
Chrisb2015

Chrisb2015

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I agree, whilst speed isn’t everything it is an easy comparison tool and benchmark for general engineering progress. It’s not just speed though, when you think other comparable cars have clever e-diffs, adjustable suspension and ride height, dynamic engine mounts, extensive use of exotic materials to reduce weight etc, all adding to the overall dynamics you realise just how far it is behind. BUT, does progress equate to appeal? Why do many, including myself like mechanical watches...? Not really rational when something much newer and cheaper does a better job of timekeeping.

What is more crackers is that the GT is coming back soon, emerging fresh from testing to make sure it meets current emissions standards. Just when you thought it couldn’t carry on.........
 
Oneball

Oneball

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Car manufacturers don’t mention it but the increase in grip from tyres in the last 10 years has been massive. A lot of the Ring records have been more about tyres than you’d imagine.
 
Geo

Geo

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Oneball said:
Car manufacturers don’t mention it but the increase in grip from tyres in the last 10 years has been massive. A lot of the Ring records have been more about tyres than you’d imagine.
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Especially noticeable which motorcycles.
 
Felonious Crud

Felonious Crud

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My car is, on paper, extremely quick. In the real world, it skips and jiggles about enough to make flooring it something you only do with extreme caution. Probably there are 'slower' cars that are much quicker in real life. Equally, cars like Maccas and Porkers apparently put the power down extremely effectively and make driving fast quite an easy thing to do. I love mine very much. I also loved my old GTS very much as well, and don't recall ever thinking it to be in any way underpowered.

'course, buyers - probably many of us included - do all look through the 0-60 and max speed stats and probably make irrational decisions based on largely irrelevant date.

PS - I need new tyres.
 
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TimR

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2,731
It is just marketing and placement. Brand and image control.....Sure..engineering has developed, and continues to do so but if you're thinking it's "leaps and bounds", they;re selling you on it IMO!
Oneball said:
Car manufacturers don’t mention it but the increase in grip from tyres in the last 10 years has been massive. A lot of the Ring records have been more about tyres than you’d imagine.
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^THIS
Dont forget, the record for the Porsche Nurburgring stood from 1983 (Stafan Bellof 6m11s +/- ) until they smashed it with a 919 Evo last year....

Chasing numbers on paper...meh. You can keep it ! :confused:
 
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bigbob

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FF1078 said:
Surely the 911 S isn't a GT car that car seat 4 people with their luggage and travel across Europe in style and comfort?
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That’s right, if you want a slow car with space for four then you could buy an M5!

Let’s face it all Maseratis’ are now well off the pace with the GranTurismo one of the worst. Quite why they will bring it back is unbelievable. Great car in its day and still like mine but it ain’t contemporary.
 
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bigbob

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Felonious Crud said:
My car is, on paper, extremely quick. In the real world, it skips and jiggles about enough to make flooring it something you only do with extreme caution. Probably there are 'slower' cars that are much quicker in real life. Equally, cars like Maccas and Porkers apparently put the power down extremely effectively and make driving fast quite an easy thing to do. I love mine very much. I also loved my old GTS very much as well, and don't recall ever thinking it to be in any way underpowered.

'course, buyers - probably many of us included - do all look through the 0-60 and max speed stats and probably make irrational decisions based on largely irrelevant date.

PS - I need new tyres.
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That’s why more and more cars are going 4WD. Add in another couple of gears and acceleration stats improve a lot.
 
FIFTY

FIFTY

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3,100
There is a lot of merit in the argument that 400-500bhp is plenty enough power on the majority of public roads apart from maybe German Autobahns and illegally in the USA where they have wide flat straight roads. Lets face it roads in most of Europe and Asia are too narrow or broken for 700bhp

Also Maserati as a brand under the FCA unbrella is not involved in any horse power or even to some extent development wars - they stand alone - which is perhaps a problem to some extent. Alfa and Ferrari hoist the flag on that side of the business
 
conaero

conaero

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I was speaking to Dicky recently and he informs me he sees a shift away from these 0-60 monsters back to something nearly as fast but with involvement.

The power delivery of these cars are very linear and there in lies the problem. Sure a few weeks of giggling and being pushed back into the seat soon wears off.

A Sports car is for driving, not bragging about.
 
Sommi

Sommi

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430
Its the whole ownership experience which make Maserati different.
I am completely besotted with my QP. It does not matter if a Golf GTI or some such wins the traffic light grand prix. When I start it, drive it, hear it, take it through tunnels, have conversations about it with with mesmerised folks or even just look at it in my drive way, it make me happy.

For speed though, I have ordered an Atom. So that will kind of tick the big speed box for the next few years .:p
 
azapa

azapa

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Mine feels worryingly fast. Never felt otherwise (until a f812 flew past on the track). I'm sure my driving level couldn't appreciate or handle a faster car.

Of course, that does not mean I'm not looking for something more worrying :)
 
conaero

conaero

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azapa said:
Mine feels worryingly fast. Never felt otherwise (until a f812 flew past on the track). I'm sure my driving level couldn't appreciate or handle a faster car.

Of course, that does not mean I'm not looking for something more worrying :)
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Yes, I was going to say that too. We could quote the 0-60 of a Strad being 3.9/4/4.5 all of which are claimed but in RACE mode, its a savage animal with brakes and handling to match. All topped off being strapped into a stunning shell with 2 seater carbon fibre buckets! Whats not to like?
 
rockits

rockits

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Let the numpties chase their numbers and have faster cars. For me any car that hits 60 in 5 secs is plenty fast enough.

It is all about the noise, the feeling, the experience, the involvement and the drama than ultimate speed. In most modern fast cars yes you go quick but lose so much of the drama and involvement. I'll stick with my slow cars thanks!
 
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Oliver6796

Member
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497
I genuinely think my car is the only car I've ever been in and felt a little nervous so to speak and I've had the pleasure of driving a fair few other cars which eat it alive on paper. I get the feeling I could get into a lot of trouble with it which means its fast enough for me.
Its either that or the fact that's this time round its my car and not someone else's:D
 
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