Ariel Hipercar
 

That is an ugly car.

yikes

Yep. I'll take one thanks.

Am I the only one who just don't care anymore? At least here it's from a real manufacturer (even if a super low volume one) and not yet another vaporware render...

Where are all the accessible, affordable, enjoyable cars? That would be exciting to see.

Blame the internet and inflation. Everyone bitches about cars that are affordable because they are either 'too slow' or 'a boat'. Plus CUVs and hot CUVs sell to the masses.

I agree. Obligatory post because Ariel.

Maybe it is a sign of my age, or maybe it is because performance is so plentiful, where these million dollar hypercars catering to the super rich are so overplayed, but I also just don't care. These cars are losing their appeal. Everything is a little excessive, gains in performance are only incremental or non-existent, design is getting messy with aero, the cars are overly complicated, and the childhood dream of ever owning a supercar has long since been burst. It isn't the realization that these cars are unattainable, but also that they aren't as great as they once seemed or were in the past.

I think of the cars I am interested in that have been/being produced in the last ten years, and it is a short list: Miata RF, 86, Cayman GTS 3.4/4.0, NA/GT3 991/992, Emira, Jannarelly, Alpha Romeo 4C and GR Yaris. Alfa Romeo 4C is an auto only, so it is a soft yes on this list, and so is the Yaris, as it is more of a daily than a true interest, but is not available in the states, which also goes for the Jannarelly. Everything else is too heavy, too big, auto only or not attractive.

In general, I like what Toyota is doing with creating engaging cars lately, but the GR Corolla is weight compromised; I wish we got the GR Yaris. The 86 is a collaboration, and a good one. Despite the weaknesses of the FA20, I appreciated having a cheap Cayman option. The GR Supra is another collaboration, and it is a toss up between liking that they stuck with a straight six instead of going with the 2GR or 2UR from the Lexus lineup. In the end, manual came late, it has its shortcomings to be appealing, including weight. If they do a new MR2 and keep it engaging and all Toyota then I am probably going to be interested.

At this point, I would take a simple and modern take on the Lotus Elite, Ferrari 250 SWB, or any other light weight coupe that is engage. Unless something remarkable comes out, I will likely get a GR86 as a new daily when my current car retires, unless the prices finally drops on a Porsche.

I'm rambling. :bonk:

Well, there are several types of inflation. Size inflation: cars are just big now. Power inflation: cars need to have ever more horsepower to best the previous year in track and performance metrics. Current inflation: post-COVID supply chain inflation is ridiculous.

A 1965 Mustang fastback cost $2,553 in its time, which is equivalent to $24k today, where an Ecoboost is $27k, but the Ecoboost is 5.8 seconds to 60 and the original was 11.4 seconds, so performance inflation and value has increased relative to the cost. If Ford built a Mustang with similar weight, specs and performance, they could price it under the Ford Fiesta ($15k), but I doubt it would be the hit the original Ford Mustang was, but who knows? We want performance, and we want it cheap.

In a landscape of big CUVs and trucks/SUVs, small cars just aren't favorable. It is hard to make a sports car that is small/light, yet has enough performance to at least keep up with the horsepower and acceleration of these big CUVs on the highway, even if they would destroy these vehicles in the corners, on the track or in general enjoyment and engagement. Plus, anything small has fallen victim to economy inflation: cars that are cheap and small are FWD where that wasn't the case with compacts in the past, or sports cars are built on modular platforms of RWD luxury cars because these are the only platforms that exists, so they can't be light (Z, pony cars).

Like I said, I'm hoping Toyota has found a hit with the G16e-GTS engine that is small, light and compact enough to be put into several sports cars, while still having the economy to meet regulations, while having D4S and enough strength to keep power up and tuning potential possible. If they could find more platforms to put this in then I could see a next gen 86 or MR2 being appealing, while potentially still being light. As for the other manufactures, I don't know if Miata will move to a hybrid with the Miata, but I'm interested in seeing what they do with the NE, as I liked the ND RF. Everyone else is just moving in the wrong direction for me, and I get it; I don't really blame them.

I forgot about wage inflation: it hasn’t happened. And I forgot about expense inflation: cost of living is far higher for homes and necessities making affording a sports car or a seco d car less practical, moving the bar higher, where we get to age inflation: the average age of new car buyers and sporty car owners is getting older and older. None of these other metrics favor making small, lightweight, engaging, but ultimately slow cars (highway, 0-60). The performance inflation: this has also made the manual transmission go from being faster to slower and making the transmission be a much larger part of performance based on shift times. These transmissions are more expensive, heavier and less engaging.

My problem is them calling it "Hipercar".
Scream pretentious to me.
Or maybe lazy.

...and did they really need to make it that ugly?

But like the god awful vents on the sides of the GR86/BRZ

IT'S FUNCTIONAL BRUHHHH

Yes/No

The only way we are going to get to see the development of new tech is halo cars like this. It’s cool to see the tech, but after 1 or 2 videos I don’t care anymore.

The marketplace ate them.

I. Want. It. The "slow" version.

Same. That’s why I watch videos like the ones showing the R&D behind the cars Koenigsegg develops. From an engineering standpoint, some of it is just super cool to see.

But then I just continue on with life

While I admit to having lost interest in hypercars since they’re all so expensive and focused on bragging rights instead of actual driving enjoyment, there’s also never been a better time to be a driving enthusiast in the sub $60k category.

The ND2 is the slowest rwd sports car on the market but can still do a low 14 second 1/4 mile. That’s pretty amazing IMO. It’s a rocket ship compared to the original Miata. Also still under 2400 lbs and can be bought for less than $30k. If you want a coupe, the Twins are a bit quicker still, under 2900 lbs, and can also be bought under $30k (with a Torsen LSD to boot). Also 230i for around $37k.

If you need more space, there are a ton of FWD/AWD sedans and hot hatches on the market, some for under $30k. WRX, Elantra N, mk8 GTI, CTR, Si, Integra, GRC. Aside from the SI and Integra, they’re all fairly quick and have a lot of tuning potential.

If you want a pony car, the usual Mustang and Camaro 4 cyl options are available around $30k. 6 cyl Charger/Challenger as well.

You could do a sub-$40k shootout and have a 12-14 way car comparison of legitimately interesting cars. I see a few amazing values in there and no real losers.

Then for a bit more money, you’ve got the 8 cylinder pony cars and also the Supra, Nissan Z, and m240i. Possibly squeeze in a m2 or C8. Seems like a pretty good selection of affordable cars, no?