Quote:
Originally Posted by yzfrj A petrolhead is one who talks about it and does't mind taking his car to track and having a ball. A non-enthusiast is one who talks about it but never does it. |
Are you suggesting that those who don't take their cars to the track are not enthusiasts ? What about those who don't have access to a track due to their location ? They automatically become non-enthusiasts ? And by your definition, you became an enthusiast only post getting your car on track last time.
IMO, wrong definition. You dont need the track to have fun driving. You can do it on the road, without driving crazily. We had fun on the Yelagiri tbhp-drive for eg. Nice drive in my car with the needle hovering to a max. of 160kmph with bottle's Palio1.6 giving awesome company.
Quote:
Originally Posted by yzfrj I did the last track day in a 9yr 95k kms zen with 50bhp and did a 2:31.852. I saw lot of "bigger" engines and cars who did't. |
I don't know whom you are referring to when you say bigger engines, but if it's me, I have done track day on my Baleno much earlier. Have also done runs on the FISSME. But I don't think that automatically makes me an enthusiast. I just happen to stay close to the track, that's it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by yzfrj The point of this thread IMO is that the engine size cap is a god sent for the "non-enthusiast" and does't help the cause for a "petrolhead" as the mantra here is Km/Ltr and not Bhp/Ltr. |
The Govt does not say dont make a car more than 1.2l. Just that they encourage this category so that manufacturers can come out with better engines in this category which happens to be the most bought segment and has the potential to help reduce petro-product usage and emissions drastically.
If you think small cant be big, check out the evolution of the City engines in India. In the late 90s, their 1.5l engines churned out 93, 100 and 106bhp. In 2003/2004, the same cc engine churned out 76bhp and awesome mileage. Today, the same cc engine churns out 115+ bhp.
Ofcourse these engines have their own cons, but the amazing range is IMO awesome. Compare it to the Baleno which even though has 100cc more, came with 94bhp and then reduced to 91bhp (BS-III). Or the SX4 which at 1.6l just gives 100bhp.
So, it is possible to have fun with low cc engines. And the law will hopefully force the manufacturers to do that while still abiding by it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by yzfrj The point of this thread IMO is that the engine size cap is a god sent for the "non-enthusiast" and does't help the cause for a "petrolhead" as the mantra here is Km/Ltr and not Bhp/Ltr. |
And FE means different things to different people. For some, it is all about the money outgo for them. For others, it is about a resource not being utilised optimally, with the monetary impact to their pocket not mattering much.
At 15years of age, when a litre of petrol cost Rs.9.50, my concern was about how to manage my love for driving with the limited money I had access to then - pocketmoney of max. 10bucks a week.
Today, even if petrol prices were to double to 100bucks, the outgo on fuel does not make any dent on my finances. But I am concerned about the fact that petroleum is rapidly depleting and I feel that in my lifetime I will see the time when the oil-wells dry up. More efficient engines would help delay this by some years, that's all.
Yesterday, while returning home after watching the saloon races at MMSC track, this was the conversation I had with my wife & son (Aman).
Wife : Aman, would you like to race cars like we saw today ?
He : Yes, when I grow up.
Me : If petrol is still around when he gets to driving age.
Wife : You think it won't be around when he starts driving ?
Me : Not sure, but I have a feeling that it would be over.
Wife : What about our Baleno then ?
Me : Most probably useless. // Though I said it, the mere thought of such a possibility was hurting.
Anyway, some other technology (electric, hydrogen etc) would be in vogue by then.