A biweekly roundup of automotive news, good, bad and just plain weird:
Wayne’s World Pacer sells at auction
Not all movie cars spawned a cult following. While most of us would recognize the pale blue AMC Pacer from the Wayne’s World movies – complete with flames – the film didn’t spur on a wave of new Pacer enthusiasts. Still, party on, Wayne! Party on, Garth!
This Pacer, which is the original from the movie, sold recently at auction for $37,400. That’s a ridiculous sum for a Pacer, but reasonable for a movie car with provenance. The machinery has been given a thorough going-over, but the rest of the car is as horrible as it was on screen. Which somehow just makes it cooler.
In Germany, thou shalt not Autopilot your car
Germany made headlines earlier last week when their government passed a non-binding agreement to try to eliminate all sales of new internal-combustion engine powered cars by 2030. It’s a shockingly progressive move, but with enough population density and the deep pockets to build the infrastructure required, Germany could lead the EV revolution. As for the autonomous future, German policymakers say: tread more carefully.
Tesla refers to their driver assistance semi-autonomous suite of features as Autopilot. It’s a great name, and accurately describes what the functions do: they can steer, brake, and pilot the car, assuming the driver is right there to take over in case anything should go wrong.
That’s how autopilot functions in a modern jet aircraft – pilots are still required. German officials, however, are concerned that people might not understand the subtleties of what Tesla’s driving assists can do for them, and may be inclined to think a technology named “Autopilot” means the driver no longer needs to pay attention. They’ve formally asked Tesla to stop using the term in advertising.
On one hand, it seems a bit fussy to be chasing after nomenclature, especially in advertising. On the other hand, it’s provable that people continually expect more from their cars than is possible, especially as they understand less and less. The advent of anti-lock brakes is one example, with many drivers expecting miracles from their car’s brakes as they follow too closely in the wet.
As autonomous technology evolves, the problem isn’t going to be technological challenges, it’ll be staying one step ahead of people’s expectations. Until then, calling something Autopilot is a promise too far. At least in Germany.
Mini releases plug-in Countryman hybrid
Long having leveraged the sporty image of the Mini Coopers of the past to sell ever-larger hatchbacks and crossovers, Mini is finally embracing the future. While there was an electric-only Mini available for leasing some years ago, here’s the more sensible application of electric technology to the BMW-built city car.
The as-yet unnamed Mini will have some basis in lessons learned from the i3 EV. An electric engine with a top speed of 123 kilometres per hour will power the rear wheels, while a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder will power the fronts. There’s no official word on range yet, but it’s worth noting that the updated i3 can go approximately 180 km.
Add some right-now electric torque to a Mini’s quick steering and traffic-carving short wheelbase, and you’d have a fun-to-drive city car with gasoline range for longer weekend trips. The only real question is: why’d it take them so long?
Futuristic BMW i8 Spyder coming in 2018
Possibly the most futuristic-looking coupe of the last half decade, the BMW i8’s radical shape belies its eco-friendly roots. It may look like a missile, but it can’t quite keep up with a more conventional 911, at least not yet.
However, it is unmatched in forward-looking style. Now things are getting even better with the announcement of an upcoming convertible model. Based on an updated version of the i8, the Spider will arrive with horsepower levels somewhere about 400 from its twin-drive plug-in hybrid system, and with a considerable bump in range.
It’ll still probably be more of a boulevardier than a track-focused machine, but adding a little style into the plug-in market can’t help but improve sales.
The return of the DeLorean
Buying a classic DeLorean DMC-12 is easier than you think. The car’s (undeservedly) poor reputation for handling and power kept many owners away, yet its movie-icon status meant many of them were preserved. Now, thanks to new U.S. laws allowing for the small-scale production of vintage replicas, you’ll even be able to buy a new one.
The revitalized DeLorean company is now taking applications from interested parties for an all-new DMC-12. The cars will look the same, but a new powertrain is planned, one with a little more gumption than the old PRV V-6, and that also runs a little cleaner. Sadly, it won’t be a garbage-mulching Mr. Fusion.
For people who like driving, this is what the semi-autonomous, plug-in future could hold for the enthusiast. Thanks to the spreading availability of technology like 3D printing and the ability to crowdsource small-scale companies, having a dream car in the garage for the weekend and then commuting via whirring soulless pod looks both possible and appealing.
Watch this space for all the week’s best and worst of automotive news, or submit your own auto oddities to mcaleer.nsnews@gmail.com.
