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And so, now to talk about that elephant in the room, that gorilla from (or in) the corner.
Yes indeed, we come around to Top Gear, that corner of entertainment on a Sunday, that reason for getting excited about the i-player, that reason why I get teary when I watch the Eurofighter take on the Veyron, why I get emotional when slow pans take in the form of a Pacific class locomotive or the curvy hip line of a Bentley Brooklands. For many it can do no wrong.
'Make Jeremy Clarkson Prime Minister!' shout the mob. Let him take us back to those dewy eyed days, those rose tinted times.
For Mr Clarkson lives in a world where transportation and indeed these vehicles that exceed transportation, those vehicles that hold dreams together, those cars that are woven with the passion of a nations culture or of a single minded engineers dreams, Mr Clarkson lives in a world where those dreams are under threat.
Under threat by road pricing, under threat by bureaucracy in Brussels, under threat from speed cameras, and satellite tracking, from limits and the relentless march of the climate change lobby. He can see no alternative but the end of passionate bellowing power to the people cars. Indeed he made this clear in his review of the Aston Martin Vantage V-12.
Usually a man of many words we were treated to a choral Autumn ending inspired soundtrack, a soundtrack that can and will bring a tear to the eye, a soundtrack that graced that visual master piece, Sunshine.
His review was quietly spoken, withdrawn, set on a road of thought, it was his lament. This is all going to end he says. No more will we see the like of these almost pointless pieces of automotive art.
Well?
What do you think?
Do you feel abandoned by this sentinel of car culture, this creative writer who brings joy in his words?
Well?
How about a different way?
How about an AutoEclectic way?
How about going to fill up your car but not feeling guilty about where the fuel has come from?
How about new forms of drama over the bark of a flat plane crank or 12 pistons dancing with 48 valves in a whirl of fire and old ideas. How about the dream of Bangle, how about the drama of entering a slip-road, accelerating for the Motorway and the whole car changing shape around you? How about having a car that doubles as a power station. How about going home and using your vehicle to make a meal for your family, to surf the Internet, to have a hot shower in the morning?
Of course, you could say that all of this could sound anodyne. Sure, there's drama in dynamics,sure there's hope in a more efficient, more socially responsible power network but what of fun? What of the sounds?
To this I retort, I cry from the seat of my vehicle, you have underestimated the consumer! You have underestimated the engineer! People will always want fun cars, people will always want an aspirational device to be seen in. Just look at the hum-drum hatchback market. Why would you ever bother to make a Clio or Focus less efficient, noisier or slightly impractical.
Why indeed does the Renault Sport Clio 197 or Focus RS exist? Why did Renault go a bit nuts and put a stripped Megane on the market with plastic windows? Why did it cost allot more for allot less? How did they sell them all strait away?
It is because, people, consumers, individuals and groups will always want fun, will always want drama and performance and elegance and status.
It has been said that the car is the marketing mans dream, that it represents the pinnacle of the consumer ideal. I believe it will carry on doing so. I believe that the Aston Martin of tomorrow will continue to be beautiful to behold, will continue to have great performance, will continue to have drama to its name. It doesn't matter what its powered by or how its limited. It is the dream of freedom that will not die.
No
Not here. Not now.
No.
Transmission Ends...
