I don't know how many of you have been following the news recently, but there have been some very exciting developments. Many of you will know my love for 60s and early 70s American cars. I feel their design and down to earth engineering puts most European and Asian cars to shame. Of course, you sacrifice handling and driving pleasure, but if you own an American car, you most likely live in America and straight lines are your thing. I'd never limit myself to just straight line driving and drag racing, but I must admit it does have a strong appeal. Anyway, after the 70s closed off, American cars became enormously hideous. They became eyesores in their styling, design, and practicality, and this was before the massive influx of idiots in their SUVs. American cars became a joke around the world because apart from being hideous, they were also dead to drive. People will put up with something looking ridiculous in exchange for a decent drive (for example, the Elise), but 80s and 90s mass produced American cars are enough to make me ill, and that's before you even start to look at fuel consumption.
Things started getting better in the last few years. They've been improving gradually. They pale in comparison to my favourite car of the Golden Age, the 69 Dodge Charger, and they are still not enough to tempt me away from an early 90s Skyline/Subaru or any German car, but design has improved. The Dodge Charger has been reborn a couple of times, with mediocre results each time. It's less impressive brother (Challenger) however, has had a rebirth so incredible that it has restored my faith in the American motor industry.
The 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 has done something I have been hoping for for many years: in designing it, they have gone back to the 60s without making it look stupid. It's a modern looking car, but the shape hasn't changed from its heyday. It doesn't look like they're copied it directly, but they haven't deviated and failed. On top of this, they have given it a massive engine, and a very reasonable price tag. For less that $40000 you can own a 450bhp machine that not only looks fantastic, but will drive like a modern car. They have defied convention (and aerodynamic principles) and kept the front pretty flat, which is not only refreshing, but admitting that low fronted American designs have been consistently lackluster (best example: Corvette). If this is the kick in the teeth the American motor industry has been waiting for, then I will be very happy indeed. Whatever it is, it is a step in the right direction, and perhaps the beginning of a return to the golden age: simple, affordable muscle cars. And as far as I'm concerned, excluding the Dodge Viper, this is the best looking American car for 20 years.
The best part is that it isn't just Dodge who are going backwards to go forwards. The Hyundai Coupé has been an excellent example of a pretty good car for not much money. Even Top Gear gave it a favourable review, preferring it to the equivalent Lexus. And I've liked it, it's reasonable engine and its low cost, and I almost considered getting one: except it's Front Wheel Drive. And FWD is my number one enemy in cars.
Now I'm not a huge car zealot, and I agree that FWD has its place in the automotive world. That place is in cars I won't drive unless I have to. And when I say I have to, we have to think of a pretty far fetched scenario for me to drive one. Like I'm being chased by a ninja desperate for my death and all that is available is a V-Reg Punto and I'm only wearing a towel. And still I'd try and have a go at the ninja before I had to turn the key.
But Hyundai have noticed this, and have made a car for me. The Hyundai Genesis is a 5-Series competitor that not only manages to be stiffer, but a fraction of the price. And it is Rear Wheel Drive. And I love RWD. It's almost as good as Four Wheel Drive and often more fun. And to top this, Hyundai have taken away two doors, put a 380bhp V8 engine in and made it about $35000. This is an affordable, fun, easy to use and extremely fast car. And for Hyundai to step out of line and make a good RWD car is as surprising as a beautiful modern American car. And two positive surprises in a month show that the future of motoring isn't completely ruled by the need to be efficient, and that there is still fun to be had.
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