Hybrid Cars: The future of Motorsports?In my fathers years as a younger man, the muscle cars available were primarily powered by large V8 engines. Ford, Dodge, and Chevy reigned supreme and the competition was fierce. While not as efficient as the muscle cars of today, these cars had character and they were raw. This time has long passed, never to return - except maybe in Hybrid form.
| The cars of today are my passion. I live and breathe four cylinder motors the same way previous generations thrived on big V8 power not too many years ago. I love the direction cars have headed. Today, it's possible to make insane amounts of horsepower while still remaining above average in the fuel efficiency department. Technology is always advancing in this area, and all of these advancements brought me joy with each new car model released... until the "Hybrid" car was released.
It was the release of Honda's Insight model that crossed the line for me in terms of too much advancement. There I stood in a Honda dealership gazing in complete awe at the sub 80 horsepower hybrid car. I could not believe that such an underpowered, sissy, tree-hugger-mobile would be consuming driving space on the roads I frequent. I mean... can these things even reach merging speeds in time?
2005 Honda Insight
It all became painfully clear to me why my dad doesn't share the same joy I do in the compact cars of today. I am worried that the days of the cars that I love are coming to an end. While its hard to let go of the past; Technology marches on, and the Hybrid Car will reign dominant in the future.
What does the future of motor sports have in store with the hybrid craze taking control of the new car industry? Will the same horsepower numbers and speeds be achievable by these Hybrid cars? How will one go about modifying their hybrid car for increased performance? All of these questions frighten me, but rather than let my love for cars die right along side the cars themselves - I am going to strive to learn the ins and outs of the Hybrid car, and evolve with the hobby rather than let technology leave me behind in the hydrogen dust of the future car trend.
Below is a picture of Toyota's most recent addition to the Hybrid Car frenzy:
2005 Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius actually has solar window panels. That has to make one think about the cost of replacement windows in the future... there's your niche kiddies - Solar Window Repair. |
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