OT: Volvo Phasing-Out Internal Combustion Engine

Volvo is an interesting car company: they claim to be luxury, but honestly, they aren't. They make an incredibly safe vehicle, however. My wife and I have owned their big sedan and just recently the XC90: decently made vehicles with smaller engines made with great horsepower via turbo (although my XC90 had a V8), but ride rough. Had my XC90 for 9 years after buying it used, but wont' buy another. We now have a BMW X3 which is really a fun driving vehicle. Our Lexus GS350 AWD still has only 55,000 on it and its a 2007, great car. 

Not surprising they are making the switch, they can't compete here domestically with the other luxury vehicles.

couldn't read the story as it calls for subscription but I think this is great and I hate it at the same time.  It's great that an auto maker is finally moving away from the 130+ year old tech that drives their vehicles.  I like seeing things move forward.  Hate the fact that I grew up with muscle cars/drag racing and will miss the throaty rev of a V8 in a muscle car.  It's saddens me to think that in a few decades that seeing a muscle car I might have to buy a ticket to a museum... and forget about driving one.... but then again in a few decades I'll probably be dead.  So I got that to look forward too...        

@"Bezerker88" said: couldn't read the story as it calls for subscription but I think this is great and I hate it at the same time.  It's great that an auto maker is finally moving away from the 130+ year old tech that drives their vehicles.  I like seeing things move forward.  Hate the fact that I grew up with muscle cars/drag racing and will miss the throaty rev of a V8 in a muscle car.  It's saddens me to think that in a few decades that seeing a muscle car I might have to buy a ticket to a museum... and forget about driving one.... but then again in a few decades I'll probably be dead.  So I got that to look forward too...        

@"StickyBun" said:

@"Bezerker88" said: couldn't read the story as it calls for subscription but I think this is great and I hate it at the same time.  It's great that an auto maker is finally moving away from the 130+ year old tech that drives their vehicles.  I like seeing things move forward.  Hate the fact that I grew up with muscle cars/drag racing and will miss the throaty rev of a V8 in a muscle car.  It's saddens me to think that in a few decades that seeing a muscle car I might have to buy a ticket to a museum... and forget about driving one.... but then again in a few decades I'll probably be dead.  So I got that to look forward too...        

Self driving cars are coming. And Uber is on the forefront of being the #1 provider with their network. The 20 and under set have the lowest desire to get their driver's licenses than has ever been recorded. Kids today just want to get from point A to point B, they don't care much about the car itself.

New technology - Tesla's $35,000 car is out this week.  215 miles on a single charge and I am seeing the recharge stations all over the place here in PA.  Goes 0-60 in less then 6 seconds and it is not their sport model.  You won't get the engine rev and all the other noises when the car takes-off but speed and instant acceleration are all there and then some.  Maybe we can record the rev noise on an 8 track and listen while in the Tesla :)

@"minny65" said: New technology - Tesla's $35,000 car is out this week.  215 miles on a single charge and I am seeing the recharge stations all over the place here in PA.  Goes 0-60 in less then 6 seconds and it is not their sport model.  You won't get the engine rev and all the other noises when the car takes-off but speed and instant acceleration are all there and then some.  Maybe we can record the rev noise on an 8 track and listen while in the Tesla :)

 

Personally I think the public will embrace the crap out this car if it's solid and there's no reason to think it will not be.  

@"minny65" said: New technology - Tesla's $35,000 car is out this week.  215 miles on a single charge and I am seeing the recharge stations all over the place here in PA.  Goes 0-60 in less then 6 seconds and it is not their sport model.  You won't get the engine rev and all the other noises when the car takes-off but speed and instant acceleration are all there and then some.  Maybe we can record the rev noise on an 8 track and listen while in the Tesla :)

 

There is going to be a market for gas engine vehicles for a long time and likely there should be in certain parts of the world. And if you are willing to pay for it. But eventually it just makes sense for certain types of drivers (or riders as Bezerker alluded to) to not use a combustion engine when not needed. Most people that drive in the city don't need a combustion engine including myself. I live in the suburbs and dont' really need a combustion engine vehicle. I do some light towing but EV's will get there (they already are for commercial) 

There is something to the perceived lack of machismo though. However while the bear is impressive with it's roar and power the cheetah is equally as awesome with it's sleek stealthy speed. 

What I'd say is that for EV's to really get the takeoff we need to clean up the environmental mining costs and battery tech. Once the manner in which we gather the elements necessary for the batteries and other parts and build better batteries that last longer and/or figure out a better storage method for used batteries than burying them in the sand then we will have something. 

Not the video I was looking for but is this Harely Davidson's new sound?

Herre are some freaky coool ones. 

This is a good breakdown this guy does on an EV bike. I know I am taking over this thread but EV motorcycles are just really friggen cool to me. 

@"Mike Olson" said: Not the video I was looking for but is this Harely Davidson's new sound?

Yeah I kow it hasn't gone anywhere but I just found it funny that Harley is stuck on the "Sound" thing. Because of course. They have to market the "Sound" of it. 

Personally I hate the potato potato potato sound. I much rather prefer the sound of a well tuned machine rather than the carb choked sound. But then again I ride a strange sounding bike most often compared to a tractor. Been around just shy the amount of time Harley has as well. 

@"StickyBun" said: Volvo is an interesting car company: they claim to be luxury, but honestly, they aren't. They make an incredibly safe vehicle, however. My wife and I have owned their big sedan and just recently the XC90: decently made vehicles with smaller engines made with great horsepower via turbo (although my XC90 had a V8), but ride rough. Had my XC90 for 9 years after buying it used, but wont' buy another. We now have a BMW X3 which is really a fun driving vehicle. Our Lexus GS350 AWD still has only 55,000 on it and its a 2007, great car. 

Not surprising they are making the switch, they can't compete here domestically with the other luxury vehicles.

They'll be on my next car list of consideration when my current lease runs out, but there's a part of me that really doesnt want to assist China more by buying anything from Gheely. Plus they're only 4 bangers now - albeit turbo'ed up the wazzu. 

@"Mike Olson" said: There is going to be a market for gas engine vehicles for a long time and likely there should be in certain parts of the world. And if you are willing to pay for it. But eventually it just makes sense for certain types of drivers (or riders as Bezerker alluded to) to not use a combustion engine when not needed. Most people that drive in the city don't need a combustion engine including myself. I live in the suburbs and dont' really need a combustion engine vehicle. I do some light towing but EV's will get there (they already are for commercial) 

There is something to the perceived lack of machismo though. However while the bear is impressive with it's roar and power the cheetah is equally as awesome with it's sleek stealthy speed. 

What I'd say is that for EV's to really get the takeoff we need to clean up the environmental mining costs and battery tech. Once the manner in which we gather the elements necessary for the batteries and other parts and build better batteries that last longer and/or figure out a better storage method for used batteries than burying them in the sand then we will have something. 

This rush to EV and autonomy leaves this V8, lumpy cam engine at cold start lover feeling rather cold. 

@"Mike Olson" said: Not the video I was looking for but is this Harely Davidson's new sound?

Sounds like a fidget spinner spun by an air compressor...

it is inevitable the technology is catching up to the market and the demand is accelerating.  we will have another issue when it comes to manufacture and disposal of the batteries.  but as always innovation and the free market will bring some great solutions.  i would love a Tesla that 35k pricepoint is going to be a gamechanger.

I'm picturing that tech powering Motocross and Monster Jam; the normal crowd replaced by Jetsons-like people... flat tops and visor glasses

@"PSBLAKE" said: it is inevitable the technology is catching up to the market and the demand is accelerating.  we will have another issue when it comes to manufacture and disposal of the batteries.  but as always innovation and the free market will bring some great solutions.  i would love a Tesla that 35k pricepoint is going to be a gamechanger.

Agree that this is a game changer.  I hope Musk/Tesla can also be on the forefront on the battery technology so that we don't continue to lose out to China.  

my only issue with the new electronic solutions are the batteries.  yes battery tech has come a long way,  but I think it is still in the infancy stage of where it needs to be before we see a wholesale change away from fossil fuels.  think about cordless power tools,  yes we get more life out of smaller battery now and with more power,  but in 30 years we really arent that far ahead of where we were in the late 80s when they came out compared to other tech era inventions like computers, cell phones, etc. 

I envision a future fuel technology that is lightweight, eco friendly,  and cant be monopolized because it is so readily available that once the tech is discovered it will be like a global lightbulb coming on,  we will see our world/galaxy in a whole new way.