New and improved… or timeless classic?
It is obvious that automotive technology has improved dramatically over the years. But that doesn’t always mean that cars have.
I want to take a look at some well-known cars that have been around long enough to have been redesigned over the years, and see if the newer is always better. While I invite commentary and suggestions from my vast readership, be advised that all my opinions on this topic are biased, uninformed, mercurial, arbitrary and final.
The Volkswagen Beetle
I have to start with the venerable Bug. In production from 1938 to 2003, they made about a bazillion of them all over the world. The simple design, easy to maintain, and economical to own, the Beetle was an icon for a number of eras and generations.
Purists can spot the differences between the different eras of bug productions by looking at vents and placement of mirrors and probably a general reading of the car’s aura, but for the most part, the last Beetle to roll off the line in Mexico in 2003 wasn’t drastically different in appearance from the first Beetle made in 1938.
Compare to the New Beetle. The shape is unmistakably an update to the pregnant roller skate design, but what of the utter simplicity that defined the original Beetle? The air cooled engine, the funky transmission, the windshield wiper fluid that is pressurized off the spare tire?
No, clearly the New Beetle is a new car. Fuel-injected, automatic transmission, air conditioning, CD players. The only hint of the Beetle’s austere and funky flower-power heritage is the bud vase.
Decision:
Old Beetle: Funky, simple, economical.
New Beetle: Stylish, Cute, Hip.
Winner: Old Beetle.
Next: The Jag
The Jaguar
Growing up back east, my friend’s dad had a Jaguar E-type, silver. I’d see it in the driveway, sometimes covered, and occasionally cruising down the road in our suburban town, top down with wind in my friend’s dad’s hair, and it was the definition of cool. How could it not be?
The muscled curves, convertible top, wood dashboard, leather seats. Later, it was of course the choice of Austin Powers for his “Shaguar” and as noted in the classic cookbook Manifold Destiny The One! The Only! Guide to Cooking on Your Car Engine, the long, flat surfaces of the E-Types V-12 engine were perfect for grilling fish fillets or chicken.
What then, is the successor to this classic machine? Well, first, keep in mind that Jaguar is now owned by Ford. Just sayin’. The 2007 Jaguar Sports car is the XK. Among its innovations is a pedestrian safety thingy based on the realization that when you hit a pedestrian, the most serious injuries were coming from the pedestrian’s head hitting the hood and then hitting the engine block through the hood. The new Jag has a safety feature that detects when you’ve hit a pedestrian and fires charges that lift up the hood, turning it into an ersatz airbag. If you take a new Jag for test drive from the dealer, ask if you can hit a pedestrian to test this feature. Jaguar won an award for this, and I am sure it now sits right alongside the award the same designer got for the fjords of Norway.
Decision time:
Twelve cyclinders packed under the sinuous curves of the Coventry Cat, wire spoke wheels, and movie spy’s pedigree
vs.
A nice, albeit non-descript expensive performance sports car that is likely to spare the pedestrians you hit a head injury, so they’ll have the full presence of mind to sue you later.
Winner: The classic Jaguar E-Type
Next Up:
Ford Mustang
The Austin Mini
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Redesigned New Breeds of VW Cars…
VW has made a number of changes and most of these are just minor ones such as trim level naming switches and color removal. The major changes were done underneath the body. Take for example the additional power for the 2.5-liter five cylinder engine …..
the e-type is one of my favorites! there are a few great examples here in manila