If you are thinking of getting your hands on the wheel of a supercar, keep in mind that there will always be things that you don’t know about these powerful vehicles until you own or drive one. But let’s change that. Let’s take a look at some of the things they don’t tell you about owning a supercar:

Supercars are hard to drive

Unlike regular cars, supercars are rarely used to just get you from point A to B, like running errands, for instance. You might use them to stop somewhere and continue your schedule quickly, but most of the time, supercars are used as a toy you can play with. You take it for a drive from point A to Point A. Especially since you cannot transport more than one person in it.

Enjoying the ride is a challenge

Another sad fact is that you will never be able to drive a supercar as you wish to. Speed limits and bumpy roads are constant roadblocks that will never let you enjoy your supercar to the fullest.

There are some streets, in Germany, for example, where you can push the supercar to the maximum speed. However, it is prohibited to use these cars at their best capacities in most countries since you have to respect speed limits on highways. So before you commit to buying a beast, know that you will primarily use it to show it off and drive it carefully.

Car maintenance is expensive

This is not quite a secret. As you might already know owning a supercar comes with high maintenance costs. But what you may not know is that the maintenance is not just high, but extremely expensive.

So don’t be surprised if you leave a service department spending thousands of dollars in one go. It can get costly to upkeep the car because of the difficulty of replacing the parts, let alone fixing them.

Manufacturers try to keep this part “hidden” when you buy a supercar. However, as with all expensive things that you buy, maintaining them will also be expensive.

Limited space

While all supercars might look super comfortable and spacious in the photos, the reality is quite different.

The majority of supercars have limited headspace (or height space) and legs pace. We’re looking at you, Lamborghini.

Jokes aside, limited space does not mean tall people cannot drive supercars. However, if you are tall, you will feel the lack of space even more, and the driving experience will not be as relaxing.

If it makes you feel better, keep in mind that all supercar owners have this challenge — some more than others. But one problem is consistent: you cannot enter into a supercar as gracefully as you might wish.

Supercars draw a lot of attention

We bet you already know this. We also bet this fact is one of the main reasons why you are deciding to buy a supercar in the first place.

However, if you are the type of person who does not want to attract a lot of attention, driving a supercar will make that goal almost impossible. Moreover, with lots of attention comes higher risk.

As a supercar owner, you will have to pay extra attention to people trying to steal your car or steal any parts from it.

If you plan to buy a supercar, don’t let these facts or things stop you from fulfilling this dream. Every dream or goal has its own challenges. The important thing is to know about these challenges as soon as possible so that you are aware and make an informed decision.

These are just some of the things they do not tell you about owning a supercar. Do you know any other things or “hidden” facts about owning this type of car? Share with us know in the comments below. Let’s talk!

The post What are the things they don’t tell you about owning a supercar?  appeared first on Altered Steel.

Change is inevitable. So is the choice. But the best decisions are made responsibly. Being responsible is good. Whether you buy a zero-emissions vehicle for the sake of the environment or a safer environment comes as a bonus, the important thing here is tapping into your own motivation that drives you to want to do something. And most humans want to feel they are contributing to something bigger than themselves anyways.

Best decisions are also informed decisions. So when it gets to EVs, you should be able to look at them with a critical eye – not only appreciate their advantages but accept the shortcomings as well. We often tend to exaggerate the virtues of EVs, turning a blind eye to their flaws.

Let’s open our minds and look beyond what’s comfortable; embrace the change, give constructive critique – inspire that perfect EV fleet. Let’s have an honest conversation about issues with EVs.

The charging station conundrum

Right now you are used to pulling up to a gas station and being out in a matter of 10 minutes or less. Even if there’s a line – the wait is still acceptable given the number of available fueling pumps.

Now, imagine having to charge your electric ride. The fastest charge would take you about 15 minutes. And what if there’s a line? How much of your valuable time are you willing to spend just waiting for your car to fill up on electricity?

The most obvious solution to this challenge is building more charging stations and optimizing charging time. It may be a valid option, we just need to be patient and wait for the infrastructure to grow and develop.

Besides, an average range today will allow you a trip of 200 miles on a single charge – we rarely drive more than that in a single day. So when we compare EVs with traditional, gasoline-powered cars, the difference is strictly psychological, according to some researchers. But should we really be justifying the slow adoption of electric vehicles based on the imperfections of human nature? Yes, the human species have a hard time parting with something familiar, something that gives at least an illusion of stability.

But curiosity and exploration are also intrinsic to humans. How about those of us who like to go on adventure trips, getting lost among the rugged terrains? Would we be willing to “contaminate” the virgin landscapes with charging stations? Because it’s not like we can just carry a jerry can filled with electricity around.

While this is still far off in the future, and we first need to get more EVs on our streets, this challenge will eventually catch up to us. We might as well start planning early and solve the charging time and battery capacity conundrums first.

The charging time conundrum

Let’s say the new improved charging stations will be able to supercharge your car in 15 minutes or less. Here’s the thing, though, – the faster you charge your battery, the more you reduce its life, and increase the possibility of fire. A flaming EV battery seems like something you wouldn’t want to experience.

So, there is a good reason why you usually trickle charge your batteries – as you do with your lawnmower or vacuum cleaner, or any battery gadget you have at home. But here’s the thing – you are at home and there’s usually no urgency. With EVs, we don’t have patience or time to wait for a slow charging battery to replenish.

I’ll charge my EV at home, overnight, you’ll say. Well, this leads us to the next conundrum.

The electricity supply conundrum

EV advocates have been dodging the attacks of EV skeptics on this front. To begin with, the latter claim that all EVs together will bring the electricity supply grid. Somehow they even got the CEO of Toyota on board, who has also expressed doubts about electrical grid capacity. Unless that’s a marketing trick to steer the attention towards hydrogen-fueled cars.

To counteract this claim, the Department of Energy produced a report that assures concerned citizens that mass adoption of EVs “will not pose significantly greater challenges than past evolutions of the U.S. electric power system.” And some automakers are feeling positive about EVs being able to even add stability to the electric grid.

Another concern hits closer to home. You can’t use your 120V plug to charge your electric vehicle. Or technically, you can – but prepare to stay home for days waiting for your battery to replenish because your standard plug only adds a few miles of range per hour! And I know you are not buying your EV only to stare at it in your garage for days. So you will need a 240-volt charging system at home, which adds a hefty number to the cost of owning an electric vehicle. And not all homeowners are prepared to assume it right away.

A survey at UC Davis found out that 21 percent of California drivers gave up on their plug-in vehicle after driving it for some time. 71 percent of these drivers didn’t have a 240-volt plug at home.

It seems that some EV enthusiasts are, well, being too enthusiastic, deeming the biggest challenge with EVs is actually getting people to try them. They claim that once you try an EV you are most likely going to stick with it. They say it’s fun to drive and joining the ranks of green-minded individuals should not be the last reason either.

But the reality paints a different picture – retaining drivers is paramount for our bright green future.

Will electric cars be just cars someday?

It’s hard to predict the future exactly as it will be. We can speculate, make projections, and set goals. EVs come with a lot of questions, concerns, and confusion, but also a great deal of curiosity and motivation to solve all the unknowns.

For electric vehicles to become part of our everyday life it will take a shifting mindset to learn to love them. But not just for the end consumer. Automakers, government regulators, scientists, regular drivers, and of course, the Big Oil companies would all need to come together and gear up for the challenge of bringing safe and efficient vehicles to our roads.

The post Issues with EVs we (don’t) talk about appeared first on Altered Steel.

What data does your car gather about you?

Try to remember your actions the last time you were in your car. Did you connect your phone to make and receive calls, or listen to music and news? Did you use the different temperature options or navigation system?

Probably, now that I am asking these questions, you are realizing how much your car might know about you. And by your car, I mean the auto manufacturers and possibly other entities as well. They have information on your interaction with other people, your music taste, regular routes you take, and even health conditions.

Now imagine driving an autonomous vehicle. Yes, it may be convenient not to worry about the actual act of driving. But the price you pay is giving up terabytes of personal data. Autonomous vehicles need more devices that capture information on the inside and outside of the car in order to operate smoothly without a driver.

For example, Tesla has already received criticism about the potential usage of the amount of data it is gathering from the in-vehicle camera monitoring services. These cameras are running even when the autopilot is off, gathering information on driving habits and even the frequent charging places used. This is quite an extensive range of personal information that Tesla collects. Being aware of this fact is only the first step towards addressing the issue.

How can your car be a surveillance tool?

The classic issue with collecting private data circles around the entities that own it and the way they use it. Continuing with the case of Tesla, how the company uses the collected data is still unclear.

On the one hand, the automaker can be using the data to improve the existing tech. But on the other hand, the company may even be sharing it with other interested parties.

All can happen, as long as there is no current federal law that can regulate this type of data usage. The legislative loophole implies that the data can be shared with insurance companies, telecommunication companies, or even the police.

The next time you apply for car insurance, you might get a higher premium because you have driven faster than usual a couple of times, or because your blood pressure was up during the last week. This may sound dystopian, but it is increasingly becoming more realistic and probable.

The surveillance concern has gone beyond the individual level, to the point when it is a matter of national security. The most recent case is with China banning Tesla vehicles from entering its military facilities due to concern about the vehicles’ built-in cameras. Even though Tesla has stated that the data from cameras overseas are not collected by the company, the scrutiny remains at high levels.

What is the ethical concern about the use of AI in the auto industry?

The function of the car has changed dramatically during the last couple of decades. Before it was perceived simply as a transportation means to take people from point A to B. However, with technological progress, the concept of a car has shifted to a set of offered services, where transportation is just one of them. You may think that you have privacy in your car but as we have shown in this article, the privacy line is blurry.

Does it have to be this way, though? Do we have to sacrifice our privacy for the sake of progress or is there a more ethical way to balance both? I think that the key to managing this issue lies in establishing stricter laws on disclosure of data collection and usage. These laws should be strictly enforced and followed by penalties when violated.

After all, information, like any other tool, can be very useful or can become a weapon in the wrong hands. If there is an already existing legislature on confidentiality in traditional business settings, why not raise awareness and push for high standards in information security in the automobile sector? What are your thoughts on this matter? Feel free to initiate a conversation below.

The post Could you car be a tool for surveillance? appeared first on Altered Steel.

What is the story behind this man who self-describes as “Doctor Frankenstein of Teslas”? Join us in this post, as we explore his work that, no doubt, serves as an inspiration for seasoned and novice mechanics alike. 

What is the story behind Rich Benoit’s passion for rebuilding cars?

Rich Benoit, a father of three, had been working in the IT sector until very recently. However, his transfer from IT to the automobile world is not coincidental. Ever since he was a child, he loved deconstructing and then rebuilding fake Rolexes that his father, an electrical engineer used to bring him. His curiosity and patience while putting all the pieces back together were remarkable.

He gained the confidence that he could truly fix things and was willing to ride along self-learning curves. He wouldn’t use manuals or consult with other experts, just intuition and trial and error approach instead. Little did he know that his passion would eventually bring him on the path of reverse-engineering.

Interestingly, he did not interfere much with his first car: a 2004 Dodge SRT-4. However, soon enough, he would come across damaged second-hand motorcycles and cars. This triggered his ambition to go bigger with his rebuilds. Thus, another more challenging phase would begin for him, as he would figure out a lot of mechanics knowledge on his own.

How did Rich Benoit come across Teslas?

Even though rebuilding gadgets or wrecked automobiles was a genuine passion, focusing on Teslas was more of a coincidence. In 2014, one of his friends calls him and tells him about his latest car: a Tesla Model S. Rich was eager to test it. But, the moment he sat behind that steering wheel and drove the car, he fell in love with it. Probably it was something related to the specific EV engine, or its quietness, which impressed him. He had to have that car!

Once Benoit found out the six-digit price of the car though, he was shocked. Therefore, he started brainstorming for cheaper ways to get his Tesla. He was able to find an old Tesla, which needed parts to be fixed. However, at that time, Tesla refused to sell him any parts, due to its strict repair policy.

However, Rich Benoit was determined to rebuild his Tesla, one way or another. Soon enough, he figured that he could use the parts of another Tesla to do that. Thus, after spending more than 500 hours in his garage, he reached his goal, deciding to call his first rebuilt Tesla, Dolores. He documented the entire process and began posting videos on a random forum, eventually moving to YouTube. This is how his journey as a vlogger began.

What are the dynamics between Tesla and ‘Rich Rebuilds’?

Rich Rebuilds is the name of Benoit’s YouTube channel, a medium that has triggered a lot of debate around him, but which has ultimately contributed to some of his videos going viral. No doubt he is an interesting, snarky, and humorous character, who is not afraid to come across as goofy. His videos are watched by car enthusiasts, as well as by amateurs.

The first controversy came to light when by accident his hand appeared in one of the uploads, and viewers realized that he was black. The racist comments flooded, but that did not stop him. In fact, he would pin the most racist comments and eventually realize that this strategy would actually decrease such comments by 80%.

The next range of polemics had to do with Tesla. For a long time now, Tesla has been very strict about not letting any information regarding its auto pieces or diagnostic tools become publicly available. The idea of having someone documenting this information publicly did not resonate well with the automaker. As a result, YouTube has removed a couple of his videos, and Tesla has canceled Rich’s referral account. It even refused to provide him with service manuals. As you can imagine, this has not stopped Benoit either. On the contrary, he kept expanding his audience and business operations.

What is next for Rich Benoit?

In late 2019, Rich Benoit partnered with Chris Salvo and Chad Hrencecin to open “The Electrified Garage” in Seabrook, New Hampshire. This garage would be solely dedicated to repairing electric vehicles. He then expanded to Florida in late 2020.

Considering the high demand, he plans to get bigger. In fact, he has even announced that he might go back to rebuilding gas cars, which again has raised a lot of controversy among his followers. Probably, someday, we will see him restoring classic cars too. As he says, “Remember: I’m a car enthusiast, not an EV enthusiast”

The right to repair is one of the main causes that stands behind his determination to grow his business. Benoit believes that it is not fair that car manufacturers make it difficult for customers to fix their own cars. Capable auto mechanics should be allowed to get into business and repair different brands too.

Despite changes in the MA legislation, this is an ongoing effort. The story of Rich Benoit though is definitely unique. It shows how someone who is self-taught can accomplish so much and attempt at demonopolizing areas of the auto industry.

The post Rich Benoit – A man with a knack for rebuilding Teslas appeared first on Altered Steel.

Now, if we trust Hollywood, reindeer power does not translate directly into horsepower, so our comparisons may fall short. Several propaganda movies have been made to show how old school reindeer just get the job done better than an engine, for example. But come on – you and I both know that Santa loves his tech. After all, he keeps on leaving brand new smartphones for kids all over the world.

With that in mind, today we are taking a look at some of Santa’s sleigh upgrades throughout the years. He might keep showing his reindeer off, but let’s see what he is driving when no one is looking!

Santa loves luxury

The bearded jolly old man may like to give children toys and gifts, but he treats himself as well. And no, I am not talking just about those cookies and milk next to a Christmas tree. He just likes having a comfortable ride in a reliable vehicle. Which is why he has a Lexus in his arsenal!

With that said, I would not call his Lexus sleigh exactly imaginative. I mean, for a luxury brand you would expect more attention to detail. Instead, they just slapped on a red LED for a nose and added some rails to call their LC model a sleigh.

Still, I have to give it to the automaker in terms of power – with 800 reindeer power and a hybrid engine, this thing travels fast. Plus, it shows they care about the polar ice caps, which Santa also adores. So while in terms of design Toyota (and Lexus) do fall a bit short, they make up for it in all the other important aspects!

Santa’s daily workhorse – A trusty pickup truck

Before Santa had the resources to go into luxury cars, he had to make do with cheap, but trusty alternatives. And what better to replace a sleigh than a pickup truck?

Truth be told, I cannot just give you a single model, because Santa has a few of them. He understands pickup truck classes and likely has one of each to fit his needs. From the smallest half-ton Chevrolet of the ’40s to the heavy-duty GMC Sierra, Father Christmas knows what to choose for his yearly hauling needs!

In my opinion, if Santa has to ever bet on a single vehicle, a pickup would be the obvious go-to. Though he might want to consider something with a bit more presence. Perhaps the F-350 Raptor?

Honorable mentions

Prior to revealing my all-time favorite Santa machine, we should also note some other vehicles in the (in)famous North Pole garage.

• Jaguar F-Type (and F-Sleigh)

Naturally, many companies want to get on Santa’s “nice” list. Because of this, they make up prototypes for him to try out (though I am sure bribery counts as “naughty”). Of all the prototypes though, Jaguar F-Sleigh actually takes a different route. They made it out of ice! So, yes, not exactly operable, but props to Jaguar for thinking outside the box.

• Mercedes GLK (or GLSleigh)

For all we can tell, Saint Nicholas looks like a humble person. That being said, sometimes people judge your presence by the type of car you drive. Thus, for occasions where looks matter, Mercedes-Benz has gifted Santa with a proper luxury off-road machine. Not sure if he brags about it, but it doesn’t hurt to have it just in case!

• Ford Fusion/Mondeo Sleigh

Since Ford knows it cannot compete on the luxury level, the carmaker has chosen a different strategy. Its version of Santa’s sleigh bets on practicality. Over the years Ford has offered Kringle several versions of its affordable sedan, but whether Santa actually drives any of them… no one knows.

Muscle and looks – The best sleigh in Santa’s collection

If you have been following our blog for a while now, you know the love we have for muscle cars like Ford Mustang. That being said, Santa prefers Dodge. More specifically, he likes to ride around in a Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye Express.

Let me tell you, this beast blows away all of Santa’s reindeer and then some! With its 786 hp, the car-sleigh is almost 100 times as fast. Okay, I get it, those reindeer might be getting some special juice to bump their power-up, but even so, they are no match. The only drawback to the Hellcat version of the sleigh? Santa gets so pumped up about it that he actually forgets to do his job on Christmas Eve. So, reluctantly, he leaves this one in the garage for the time being!

With all that said, considering how many sleighs Father Christmas has, that toy manufacturing business turns out to be raking quite the profit. Who knew! But which of the engine-powered sleighs in this article do you like the most? Or would you rather Santa stick to his trusty old reindeer?

The post Santa’s sleigh reimagined appeared first on Altered Steel.

Of course, people enjoy vintage autos for various reasons. If you talk to them though, almost all of them have a sense of respect for the car’s past. We cannot really say classics are objectively better than modern vehicles. And yet… it often feels like they are, even if it is in a sense that we cannot describe.

So, as it is with anything sacred, modernizing it will always be controversial. We explored part of that with our article on cars that have the classic look with a modern heart. However, it is still not clear: how can you preserve those vehicles? Is any modern solution going to work? Should we even want it to work? Join me in exploring just one such solution to see if saving the classics is an impossible task!

An introduction to vehicle-related 3D printing

The uses of 3D printing have spread across multiple domains already. It was only a matter of time before they also hit the car industry. And yet, most people have a pretty skewed view of 3D printing. We have been bombarded with examples of 3D-printed plastic objects, so we assume this is all there is to it. Not the case!

Firstly, 3D printing can now use a large variety of materials. Secondly, when we talk about 3D printing use in cars, we do not mean printing out an entire car. While likely viable in the future, the practical uses of 3D printing are currently a bit different.

Instead of producing an entire car, 3D printing takes on a simpler task. Through it, we can print out parts or even pieces of parts that are necessary to manufacture a vehicle. This is especially useful in situations, where a car manufacturer has no financial incentive to keep producing parts for their older vehicles. Though it goes even further than that.

Here are some examples of how 3D printing is currently being used by auto manufacturers:

• Faster prototyping. To anyone familiar with the vehicle design process, prototyping is one of the key steps. In the past, it happened fairly slowly and had many drawbacks. Nowadays, it allows for much faster vehicle development through the help of 3D-printed prototypes (often up to scale!)
• Experimenting with specialized parts. To cut down on costs, manufacturers have to re-use platforms and parts throughout their lineup. With 3D printing that may become unnecessary. Right now, they are mainly employing it for high-performance small-batch parts, but it can one day be extended to virtually all vehicle components.
• Custom vehicle additions. 3D printing gives us the freedom to fit an already existing car with custom parts. Or in other words – it allows for easy bodywork tunings. Considering how much we care about customizing our vehicles, it will probably become a serious selling point soon.
• Metal artwork. Believe it or not, manufacturers are relying on 3D printing to create pieces of art. Bentley EXP 10 Speed 6 is a concept model that serves as the perfect example. Many of its decorative pieces have been impossible to make prior to 3D printing in metal.
• Making manufacturing easier. Aside from printing out components, manufacturers also print out tools for manufacturing. This is one step removed from actually affecting the cars, but still allows for cheaper construction.

Obviously, 3D printing goes beyond what most of us have seen. We can easily recognize its merits in modern-day manufacturing. The issue comes when such practices become commonplace when dealing with classics. Let’s have a look!

How 3D printing can affect classic cars

What makes the classic car market special is the scarcity. Not only of the vehicles but also of the parts. That requires you to think twice about how you treat your vintage car. You cannot simply drive it around in bad weather with complete disregard for it. Or at least you should not.

Sadly, regardless of how careful you are, parts eventually break. Through a bit of ingenuity, people have come up with solutions for many such occasions. Sometimes it comes down to salvaging parts from other cars. At other times experts would tweak things a bit to make a different part work with your model. No matter what you do though, you are not relying on newly made components. Until now.

With 3D printing, we can virtually stop worrying about any given part breaking. We can print everything – from the biggest bumper to the smallest bolt. Has your classic car been hit? No worries, print out a new fender. The brakes are acting up? You have 3D printing for that. Vehicle maintenance has never been easier!

This has plenty of positives about it. It makes the classics niche more accessible to people. No longer does it need to be such an exclusive hobby. As for the veteran enthusiasts – they get to enjoy their cars without having to worry too much about them. Sadly though, as with many other things, this also has its dark sides.

When 3D printing devalues vintage cars

Knowing that your classic vehicle has a chance to live another day is exciting. It shaves away the subtle worry that something might happen to it. Even if it does, now you can easily take care of it. Sure, it may cost you a bit, but so what? At least you have your car back!

However, that begs the question: how far can we go with that? At some point, we are bound to cross the line of manufacturing a completely new “classic”. What does that say about the future of automotive history? If we can fabricate vintage cars so easily, their value becomes less apparent.

If you have a nice old Studebaker you know those cars will no longer be made. That makes it special, even more so than when it came out. In fact, cars that have been considered “duds” are now an excellent addition to any classic car collection. Yet with such an easy way to get them anew… Will they remain special?

Even if you put eccentric examples aside, the same applies to any old automobile. I imagine that at some point we will have to put in some legislation to keep things in line. It should not be hard to justify it either, considering car design is also intellectual property. Yet even if we do not print out entire vehicles, there is one more giant problem coming…

Does 3D printing jeopardize the authenticity of classic cars?

When such issues occur, many people like to play the nonchalance card. They may enjoy the classic car niche, but see nothing wrong with what people do with their cars. Fair enough. However, we do not live in a vacuum.

If you think that using such technologies will not become an issue, you may be wrong. You can learn how to use 3D printing to save our classic cars. So can anybody else, even if you do not want to personally engage in such things. What does that mean? The classic car market will likely face vehicles with 3D-printed parts soon.

At first glance, there is no issue. Your car, your rules, right? What happens if you want to resell it though? If people know that 3D-printed components will reduce their vehicle’s value, they may not want to mention it. Plus, we will likely not be able to tell that easily. This may open a whole new can of worms…

The classics market has always run on mutual trust. While all markets do so, there is a sense of camaraderie with vintage vehicles. I know that you likely share my passion and deep care for such vehicles. This is why I expect you to treat them properly. And yet… It is tough knowing that a part broke with no “traditional” way to fix it. In that sense, I understand why some people would like to keep their cars running through modern means.

No matter how we look at it, we will soon have to face this problem. I have not found a single solution to it. The most likely outcome seems to be a simple acceptance. If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, smells like a duck, and walks like a duck… Well, let’s agree to call it a duck. Or a classic vehicle part, in our case. Though even so, some of us will never be okay with that.

Should we use 3D printing with a classic vehicle?

As someone who cherishes the spirit of old vehicles, I can see both sides of the issue. On the one hand, I realize that we are bound to hit time with hardly any spare parts. Such shortage has already been noticed for some vehicles. On the other hand, if we keep modernizing the classics, are they even classics anymore?

Of course, much of this discussion relies on the type of philosophy we want to employ. Perhaps we should disconnect ourselves from the idea that classics can never be restored through modern means. Though some may say that the value lies in the very fact that we cannot bring things back to life. Or does it?

What do you think? Is 3D printing an answer to preserving our classic cars? Would you like a classic vehicle, even if it is modernized? What about a completely 3D-printed one? My only concern is that we will devalue the entire segment in the eyes of future generations. To me, that seems like quite the loss. But let us hope that I am wrong!

The post Saving our classic cars with 3D printing appeared first on Altered Steel.

They may occupy a smaller niche nowadays, but vans do have their own merits and loyal buyers. So much so, that MPVs exist in a variety of different types.

From those made for living the #vanlife to the custom-fitted mobility vans, these vehicles can provide a lot of utility for some of us. So, the time has finally come to drop the prejudice. Hop on, strap in, and let’s dive into the world of vans!

What is a van?

Since people use the word to mean different things all over the globe, we need to clarify it. The international term “MPV” refers to any vehicle that provides more internal space compared to cars of similar horizontal size. To put it simply, any boxy road vehicle (i.e. with regular clearance, not an SUV) can be considered a type of van.

With that in mind, we can classify MPVs by two criteria: size and purpose. As you will see, the van niche has much more to offer than you might have thought.

Van types by size

Contrary to popular belief, not all vans are big. For instance, Japan sees a lot of “microvans” – small, yet roomy city cars, mainly used for transporting goods. In our land of giant vehicles, we would barely even register those. With that out of the way, below are the categories we can actually see in the US:

• Mini MPV – Nissan Cube, Kia Soul, and even Chrysler PT Cruiser fall into this category. Though in the US we would not regard them as vans at all, they still meet the criteria.

• Compact MPV – Those are something like supersized hatchback vehicles (the only American example would be Ford C-Max). Europeans love their compact MPVs, even if we have barely heard of them.

• Minivan (True MPV) – Here we have the likes of Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Pacifica, and Dodge Caravan. They still have a decent customer-base that remains fairly steady from year to year. In fact, recent analyses point to likely future growth in non-US markets.

• Van – Nowadays, the terms “van” and “minivan” have become synonymous. However, actual vans are more like transporter vehicles, largely for commercial purposes. That said, a lot of them have now been adopted for the vanlife movement.

The last category can further be divided into different capacity classes, but we don’t need to go that deep. In any case, people mainly go to smaller capacity vans for personal use. Speaking of which…

Van types by purpose

At first glance, vans may seem a bit boring, but they actually hide more utility than expected. For instance, being roomy, they make for the perfect DIY campers.

People have been converting vans for camping purposes long before the vanlife trend. Their commercial versions come with windowless sides, which are also pretty barebones on the inside. That allows enthusiasts to mount whatever they want. With a bit of creativity, you can turn it into quite a cozy place with a mattress, shelves, and even an entertainment center. Some MPVs can also get off-road modifications, making camping in the woods much easier.

Although rarely mentioned, MPVs also serve as perfect mobility vehicles. That can be considered a type of conversion as well because such vans have to be custom-fitted for the job. Even so, no other vehicle type does the job that well. Minivans have reasonably low clearance and enough space to fit a person in a wheelchair.

Of course, we cannot fail to note the commercial aspect of vans. Where bigger trucks would be hindered, vans can go quite easily. That makes them perfect for small-to-medium scale logistics, especially within cities. Some vans can also transport a dozen of people and can be used as small-scale bus alternatives.

Finally, vans can easily rival SUVs in the family car aspect. Sure, they do look a bit blander and have lower clearance, but they do not have many other drawbacks. The sliding doors plus the ease of access and sheer space make up for the clearance aspect.

Should you buy a van?

If you have small children, need a lot of space, or just want a DIY camper, you cannot go wrong with a van. In fact, building your own camper can be a fun side project to try. You can even draw inspiration from transportable tiny houses. Older commercial vans can go a long way in that regard, plus you can find many of them for dirt cheap.

At the same time, MPVs are not for everyone. They fill quite specific niches and we won’t see them get as popular as they were 20 years ago. However, it will also be some time until they go away completely, if ever!

The post Different van types explained appeared first on Altered Steel.

For instance, if money is not an issue. Would you go for a luxury car? Most likely, your answer would be yes. But what really motivates the positive answer? What are the deciding factors for your choice? How do you know they belong in the luxury vehicle segment and not other high-end cars?

Join me in this post, as I delve into the world of luxury cars and explore what makes luxury luxurious.

What makes a luxury car?

Exclusivity

If you are just looking for a vehicle to take you from point A to point B then maybe a luxury car is not exactly what you need. However, if you seek an exquisite ride that will turn a few heads as you drive by, then you might want to check that Roll-Royce Phantom or Jaguar. These luxury marques are all about sophisticated expensive looks and premium quality.

High-quality interior features

It is hard to imagine a luxury car without the superior interior comfort. The leather and supportive seats, futuristic infotainment systems, ample legroom, and preferential lights are just some features that create a superb luxury experience for a driver. Comfort and style, along with modern looks and the latest tech are intrinsic to your luxury car shopping checklist.

Brand differentiation

As more mass-market automakers are launching their premium models, it becomes essential for veteran luxury car marques to reinforce their position in the luxury marketplace. This is their niche, and in order to keep it that way, they leverage on their brand legacy and reputation. For example, Range Rover, Porsche, and Rolls Royce are relying on brand advertising to attract buyers. They offer their brand name and latest technological features as value propositions.

Price

As premium cars are also becoming quite expensive, the line between a premium and a luxury vehicle has become a little blurry when it comes to price. For example, Mercedes-Benz CLA is one of those entry-luxury cars, which is still pretty affordable. And then you have vehicles such as Audi S8 or Bentley, which are considered an ultra-flagship luxury. Their price tag that exceeds the $150k mark leaves you no doubt about their luxurious origin. Hence, when in doubt about whether the car you are looking at belongs in the luxury segment, besides price, you can rely on the previous criteria, to help you out.

Speed and safety

These are the other distinguishing features, especially when considering sports luxury cars. Their crash protection features and exterior are specifically designed in such a way that allows you to reach full speed in a matter of seconds, and yet, feel safe while on the road.

How did the concept of luxury cars evolve over the years?

The criteria above suggest that luxury car brands make it all about their drivers. It’s not all just about a car, it’s about the status. The unique ownership experience seems to be the common denominator throughout the evolution of the luxury car concept.

At the beginning of the 20th century, all cars were considered a luxury. Most of them were still hand made, and quite costly as compared to most people’s earnings. Hence, the car was a sign of prestige, which only a select few could afford.

In 1913, Henry Ford introduced an assembly line, which, in turn, reduced each vehicle’s production time and, consequently, lowered its price. Now, more people had access to cars. There was time, especially after the Great Depression, when one could see both regular and luxury cars sharing the roads. It was so easy to tell them apart.

Today, these lines have blurred. Thanks to progress in technology and machine learning, more and more features, which previously belonged only in the luxury segment, are also being added to other vehicles.

What is the future of luxury?

Futuristic technology and e-mobility seem to be the focus of future luxury cars. Artificial intelligence is turning cars into smart aware machines. Moreover, with Tesla being one of the main electric luxury brands on the market, it seems that soon, these will be two main criteria to tell luxury cars apart.

However, if you still own a classic luxury car, do not attempt at replacing it. Its value most likely will keep increasing. This is the beauty of luxury. It may get out of fashion in the short run, but it obtains incredible value in the long run.

What is your experience with luxury cars? Do you have any other criteria that you personally use to distinguish a luxury vehicle from other premium cars? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

The post What defines a luxury car these days? appeared first on Altered Steel.

Wheels can spark interesting conversations in the domain of automotive, mechanics, toys, and even linguistics. Join us in this post, as we uncover exciting facts about the wheel. Before you know it, you will find yourself equipped with some engaging conversation starters.

How was the wheel invented?

Humanity had to wait until the Bronze Age, around 3,500 years ago, to witness the invention of the wheel in ancient Mesopotamia. This might come as a surprising fact considering how important the wheel is for the transportation of food, commodities, and eventually people.

Copper and other materials were used to build the wheel axles. The wheel-and-axle concept was simply genius, and the axle had to be of perfect diameter to create a nice balance between friction and load support. Smoothness and roundness were also very important for the wheel to turn. All these components are so inter-connected and complex that many anthropologists suggest that the wheel could not have been invented in phases. It must have been created all at once.

What were the early uses of the wheel?

Early wheels with a wooden disk and a hole for the axle had multiple uses in the early times. And transportation was not initially one of them. Instead, wheels were used for pottery, which had gained importance in the religious context. Irrigation and milling were also among the practical uses of the wheel. It would be around 300 years later that the wheel would be used for the first chariots.

The wheel was also used as a form of death punishment in the Middle Ages. The sentenced person would have an iron-rimmed wheel across their bones while being hit with a hammer. In fact, breaking on the wheel was quite common at that time.

Who manufactures wheels today?

In the early days, the wheel was an artisan product. As transportation was gaining its momentum, especially during the industrialization period, the wheel became a product of mass production in different parts of the world. Nowadays, you may think that automakers also manufacture wheels. Yet, that rarely happens. Wheels are a necessity and simultaneously so complex, that specialized tire producers have become prominent in the market.

For example, Bridgestone Corp, Continental AG, or Group Michelin are among the largest global tire producers. According to the Global Industry Analysis, “The global tire market value is expected to reach of around US$ 150 Bn by 2027”. Who would have thought that the wheel would make such progress from the early days of pottery?

The wheel as a metaphor?

Humanity took the wheel so close to the heart that “wheel-phrases” became part of our daily conversations, as well as literary works. Most likely you have heard the famous “wheel of fortune” phrase, which takes origin from Greek and Roman mythology. Goddess Fortuna (or Fortune) liked to rotate the wheel with her hands, thus playing the fate of the people. One day you are on top, and the other, – you fall to the bottom.

Shakespeare makes use of the wheel, too, in his plays: ““Fortune, good night, smile once more; turn thy wheel!” says a disguised Earl of Kent in King Lear. In addition, Dante’s “wheel of flame” or John Lennon’s metaphorical song lyrics about wheels going round and round reflecting the time that passes by are other examples of the wheel being omnipresent in our social jargon.

What would have happened if the wheel had never been invented?

“What if” questions can be tricky at times. This one is no exception. During this post, I have shown that the wheel has become an intrinsic part of our life and even language. Now, let’s play. I dare you to name all everyday objects that include the wheel or gears. I can list a few just now: your car, bicycle, electric fan, your watch, CD, the inner plate of the microwave, roundabouts, among many-many others.

Can you imagine the world without all these things? Without transportation and gears? Would there have been another invention to substitute all these instead? Humans have the ability to create genius solutions when faced with a necessity. What could there have been instead? As a matter of fact, science and technology rely extensively on circular and wheel-related concepts. Mobility and traveling would not be the same without the wheel.

What are your thoughts? Do you think we can ever re-invent the wheel? Feel free to share with us in the comments below.

The post Facts about the wheel: All you need to know appeared first on Altered Steel.

At first glance, the whole question sounds ridiculous. As if you are asking “Will taking away your ability to drive kill the joy of driving?”. Of course, it will!

But let us take a step back since things get a bit more complicated than most of us think. To actually understand the whole issue, we have to answer three questions:

• What does it mean for a car to be autonomous (and will it ever happen)?
• Can autonomous and non-autonomous cars coexist?
• What is the joy of driving worth?

What is an autonomous car?

Honestly, most of us do not even understand what “self-driving” even means. To clear things up, engineers have proposed 5+1 theoretical levels of autonomy. However, the definitions are rather fluid, so take them with a grain of salt.

Level 0 means no autonomy at all, and the drivers have to do everything on their own. You may be surprised, but most cars no longer fall into this category. They are actually Level 1: some driver assistance present. Think of this as adaptive cruise control, sensors for emergency braking, or park assistance, among other features.

Then comes Level 2, which some luxury models have already. They can keep you in your lane, steer in certain situations, and even accelerate if necessary. From there we get to Level 3, where you can take your eyes of the road in certain conditions. At this point, the car has some self-driving capabilities, but you need to be present for navigating more complex situations (e.g. traffic jams, maneuvering). As of now, no cars are truly Level 3, and anything above that still lies in the future.

Think of Level 4 cars as “drivers in training”. They are autonomous, for the most part, but you still have to handle emergencies. Finally, we get to Level 5: full autonomy. At this point, the vehicle does not even need a steering wheel.

Although Elon Musk has said Tesla is close to level 5 autonomy, I remain skeptical. In order for Level 5 cars to actually work, we need to solve more things than just automation. Such vehicles will need fast internet, stable networks, standardized communication, and other crucial details. That leads us to our second question.

Can autonomous and non-autonomous cars coexist?

If both types of vehicles can work together, driving enthusiasts will have nothing to worry about. In other words, we can have our cake and eat it too. Or can we?

Most of the arguments for self-driving cars require us to go to the extreme. That means getting rid of any traditional vehicles. Though that sounds harsh, it is a logical conclusion.

Let’s look at the self-driving vehicles’ case. Autonomous cars will supposedly reduce accidents, alleviate road congestion, minimize traffic overall by improving efficiency, cost you less, and the list goes on. Even if we accept these benefits at a face value, the only way to get them will be… to do away with conventional cars. Why? Because autonomous vehicles rely on near-perfect data sharing and AI reactions.

If you are a fan of driving, this news sounds horrible. Some folks have proposed compromises, but we still do not know if they will work. For instance, we can have “driver” and “driverless” roads. Or we can just vote whether we even want Level 5 everywhere. Though it comes down to one final thing…

What is the joy of driving worth?

According to official data, more than 12 people per 100,000 die in a traffic accident in the US. Many more get severe injuries. If self-driving vehicles can halve that, will it not be worth it? Even a 25% accident reduction translates to millions of lives saved worldwide. Or do we care more about pleasure?

Currently, statistical models show that autonomous cars will reduce deaths by more than 90%. Of course, you may not agree with such estimates, but real-world data will start piling up at some point, and then we will have to face the results. Still, I will be happy to hear the opposing argument. Unfortunately, even enthusiasts agree that autonomous cars will reduce accidents if they take over.

Plus, it looks like most people are not that fond of driving anyway. In fact, folks in Europe are now fighting for car-free zones. Maybe giving up on driving will not be that big of a problem for most of us.

That does not mean driving should cease to exist altogether. Maybe it can be a hobby for special tracks or off-road routes. You can manually do plenty of other automated things for fun nowadays (e.g. woodworking). Why should driving be different?

So, yes – in a sense, autonomous cars will kill the joy of driving. But hopefully, they will make it harder for driving to continue with its actual killing spree. Or maybe they will not? That would be a topic for another day.

The post Will autonomous cars kill the joy of driving? appeared first on Altered Steel.