[alfa] Wing warping and modern cars

[C M Smith <cmsmith@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Wright Bros wing warping was actually quite clever. Birds do it this way. 
Only mechanical limitations prevent humans from developing wings that work 
this way. Not anymore apparently as planes that change shape are under 
development. Anyway, all the aileron does is distort the aerodynamics of 
the wingtips as if the surfaces were warped. Sometimes the old ways were 
the best ways, we just got lost in our engineering brilliance.

By the by, submarines that change shape, as we now believe very fast sea 
creatures like tuna and dolphins can, are also under development. I'm 
reasonably sure that submarines with surfaces that morph with water 
pressure to reduce drag have been around for a while.

Mother nature knows best, as we discover time and time again.

As for modern cars carrying huge carry forward liabilities in the form of 
superfluous electronics on board, I concur. What is particularly 
distressing is that the top line models are the ones that carry this 
useless crapola. It used to be only that you had to accept the sunroof, 
leather interior, and power everything in order to get the hot engine and 
sport suspension, now you also have to opt for the "mandatory optional" 
central navigation/climate control/ stereo control interface with touch 
screen. Totally stupid way to control these ancillaries. Totally detracting 
from the driving experience we look for in our Alfa's and other interesting 
cars.

Human beings are being ignored in these decisions by automakers. It seems 
that if the gizmo fits the dashboard and looks hi tech it goes in. Whatever 
happened to climate controls that were intuitive to operate? And separate 
from the radio controls. Now you have to watch a TV screen and manipulate 
virtual controls to get what you want. A huge step backwards. Ergonomics 
anyone?

Steering wheel controls fall into this category also. Many modern cars put 
radio and cruise control buttons where the horn actuators should be. 
Steering wheels are for controlling the direction of the vehicle, the horn 
belongs there for emergency purposes, it is never an emergency to tune the 
radio or set the cruise speed.

Finally, out West we need sat nav like a hole in the head. Basically there 
are two highways that pass through my City of 1 million residents. One goes 
North South and the other goes East West. If you get lost here you 
shouldn't be driving. Pick a highway that goes in the approximate direction 
you think you want and you can only be 90 degrees off or 180! I don't need 
a $1,000 DVD player and $200 DVD to show me where I am. I might need a $5 
paper map like I did in 1970 (didn't they used to be FREE!).

Rant over. Alfa content? You do realize what FIAT intends to try and sell 
here don't you? The top end models with AC/climate control, leather 
interiors (stupid modern trend to use leather for car upholstery when 
synthetic fibre is so durable and comfortable) sun roof, nav systems, top 
line stereos, and big price tags. What we need and will buy, they won't 
bring over because the margins are too small per vehicle. Same reason they 
failed the last two times they were here. Makes you want to weep and beat 
your head.....

I'm about ready to give up and buy a Mazda, except I see that the new 
Mazdas are equipped with...... unless you buy a baseline model that 
wouldn't excite anyone interested in driving.

Rant now over.

Cheers
Michael Smith
White 1991 164L
Original owner
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