7 Several Great Things Killed by the Car Industry

With the technological advancements and changing tastes of the consumers, some of the things we enjoy the most in cars are fading away in the 2016 sports cars and probably the oncoming models also. Unfortunately some of these things are really good and they definitely worth it. Let’s look at the 7 things we hope that one day we’ll make a comeback.

1. Hydraulic steering

We miss hell of a lot having full control of the wheels, grasping the opportunity to push the limits and enjoy a mind-blowing drive.
But, sadly, with time the over-assisted steering has become the norm to let the drivers have it as stress-free as possible.

Systems lacking feeling and steer-by-wire are becoming commonplace, which explains why we have no clue what the wheels are doing. At least, we should be grateful that most vehicles are still physically touching the ground. It's sad that some of the best sports car s come without that important connection between the road and the driver.

2. Five-Cylinder Engines

Due to their efficiency, capability, and lack of balance - which also makes gives them so much character - the five-cylinder engines have won steady following over the years. Those larger displacement engines can be easily placed in bays created for four-pots, which eliminates the need for a six-pot.
Audi’s had great achievements in motorsport, using odd-cylindered engines, similarly to the quirky Volvo, which has been using them for years. The golden years of the five-cylinder engine, however, are coming to an end, with automakers being more inclined to place small, turbocharged and cheaper to make four-cylinder engine in their cars. Both Volvo and VW have complied with the downsizing trend. The last car to resist downsizing is Audi RS3 with its 2.5-litre engine turning 362bhp and 343lb ft – an absolute blast!

3. Big Engines

Now let’s remember the pleasures of big displacement engines while we’re still on the topic of downsizing. Though statements like ‘there’s no replacement for displacement’ are not really to our taste, we still truly appreciate the adrenaline-boost of knowing that plenty fuel and air is flooding into the engine; that there’s infinite flow of power beneath our feet. Even suvs come with small engines !

4. Big Engines

While back in the day the turbochargers were performance vehicles’ trademark, today they also facilitate automakers to pass the strict emissions test. While back in the day the turbochargers were performance vehicles’ trademark, today they also facilitate automakers to pass the strict emissions test. The smaller, more efficient engines are also a great option, marketing-wise, as they can be used without having to sacrifice the headline power figures.

However, on the drawback side, the clarity and instant throttle response that comes from a naturally aspirated engine gets lost – not great news for enthusiasts like us. Even though the contemporary turbo setups lack the N/A immediacy, at least they are smart enough to a reduce lag that used to be an intrinsic characteristic of turbocharged cars.

5. Turbo Lag

This might seem as a contradiction, but actually there is something thrilling about turbo lag. Of course, we highly appreciate automakers’ efforts to get rid of anything that might be deemed dangerous, but on the other hand, danger is still exciting and fun. A few years back we had the great opportunity to test-drive a Lotus Carlton that gives off huge blobs of torque much later after you’ve pressed the throttle. At first it was a little bit frustrating, but while we were driving in the wet, we finally got in terms with its behavior and from that moment onwards the ride was an absolute blast! While going at full speed, we were enjoying the roundabouts, while also staying fully alert, coz’ seriously, we had idea when the back would kick out.

6. Big Wings

While technological improvements are a great thing, sometimes you can’t help but feel like you’re falling behind with all the changes.
Aerodynamics is no longer an abstract art, and today the performance cars receive fine-looking flowing lines that let the air slide across their surface to push the car into the ground. Think Aston Martin DB11 with its ‘AeroBlade’ rear spoiler that channels air from the C-pillars to lessen lift without the necessity of unsightly wings, which while pretty cool (remember Escort Cosworth’s whale tail) are now history.

7. Affordable Performance

The days of affordable performance have been brought an end. This year, the only options, deemed in any way affordable to buy and run are the Toyota GT86 and Mazda MX-5. And still, the average consumer finds it difficult to invest in those ‘fun’ vehicles, which probably give the best driving experiences money can buy.