Home
The Noise about the F1 Noise
Those who like to follow the news from the motorsport world will doubtless have heard about the furore about what they won’t be hearing. Yes, folks, there have been a bunch of new regulations introduced that have seen the engines making not quite the same noise as they used to, as there’s been a rev limit put on the 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 hybrids: 15,000 instead of the 18,000 of last year.
To judge by what some commentators have been saying, you’d think that the new F1s were dead silent. Wrong. However, they do sound very different. If you remember back to your high school physics days, you might recall that the more frequently something vibrates, the higher the note it produces. The rate of revs sets up vibrations in the air, which creates sound waves. The old sort of engine produced more vibrations, so you got that higher pitched note. The new ones have a deeper tone.
Personally, I like this. One of the two things I have always disliked about F1 motor racing is the sound. The “scream” of the engine beloved of some always reminded me either of a very whiny toddler or a mosquito beside a microphone. It put my teeth on edge. Trackside at an F1 meet to me was reminiscent of something from Dante’s Inferno: all vile fumes and hideous incessant screaming noises.
The new noise, however, isn’t as hellish. Decibel-wise, it’s the same as it used to be, but the note is a lot more tolerable. The race cars sound more like aeroplanes than oversized wasps. Let’s face it: deep notes in a powerful engine are always lovely to listen to. It’s one of the things that makes a Jaguar a Jaguar (and, for those who like two wheels, it’s one of the key characteristics of Harley-Davidsons and Triumphs).
Apparently, the moves have been introduced as a way of making F1 racing slightly more eco-friendly and sustainable, as these new engines use a tad less petrol than the old ones. This is something I’m in favour of as well, as my other main objection to F1 has been the fact that it does chew through a lot of petrol just to whizz around a circular racetrack at high speed. There is only a limited amount of crude oil on the planet and while motor racing is a lot of fun, it’s good that they’re using a smaller share. Means that there’ll be a shade more for the ambulances.
The manufacturers are liking the move, with Renault and Honda (with McLaren) apparently getting back into the F1 act. Given the way that what happens on the racetrack eventually trickles down into the production cars that you and I drive to work or the school run, this is a good thing. It should mean that we’ll get better, more efficient hybrids on the roads. Eventually.
For those who haven’t heard the difference, you can hear it at this very popular video (from Melbourne, no less!). Note the lack of earmuffs in the 2014 footage.
Lexus: A World of Confusion
Every year in the UK, many thousands of (middle class usually) people flock on down to the legendary ‘Ideal Home Show’ at the Earls Court Exhibition Centre. Architects, fashion stars, chefs, home designers and many more gather at this celebration of, you guessed it, the ‘Ideal Home’. It truly is the epicentre of everything modern and trendy in the home world. For many moons, I have heard wondrous stories from family members and friends of their trips to this homely holy land. This year was the year I finally got to go, on a little family trip with my mum.
An entire exhibition dedicated to the best and greatest from the modern home… OOH LOOK THEY’VE GOT NEW LEXUS MODELS ON SHOW.
That was me sorted for the day.
A Brief History of Lexus
Lexus is actually part of the Japanese manufacturer Toyota, existing as the luxury brand. The first Lexus was released in 1989, subsequently producing cars of all types, from sedans to 4x4s. In 2005, Lexus began its hybrid program which is still being developed today. Since its’ original release, Lexus has expanded to cover the world market, seeing significant success in the US market. 2009 saw the release of the LFA, a world conquering supercar that has vanquished all that lay before it.
The LS400 was the original Lexus, released in 1989
The Lexus LFA, released in 2009 is an amazing supercar
Motorsport Mayhem
It is fair to say that Lexus are not particularly known for their motorsport pedigree, but it certainly didn’t stop them giving it a go. And where else would you try racing than the British Touring Car Championship? In 2001, ABG Motorsport built a Lexus IS20o to enter into the season; sadly it was considerably out gunned by the other teams. The same happened in 2005/06. Ever since then the Lexus has fallen into disuse as a touring car. However, at the 2014 Geneva show, a new RC-F GT3 was released that is rumoured to be entered into various GT series across the world.
The 2001 BTCC season saw the Lexus IS200 make its touring car debut
What was Lexus doing at a home show?
When I first arrived at the show, I was asking myself this very question. It seemed strange that Lexus were appearing at a show about home living, let alone acting as one of the title sponsors. However, on closer inspection, it begins to make considerably more sense. Lexus has hopped right onto the hybrid ‘save the planet’ bandwagon. I may sound like I am anti-hybrid; in fact I am fascinated and excited by the development of these new greener technologies. In recent years, Lexus has worked incredibly hard on their own hybrid technology and now have an impressive range of models. Their system, as with most hybrid cars, combines an electric motor with a traditional petrol engine to optimise performance and reduce carbon emissions (you know how the story goes).
Lexus have since become one of the forerunners of luxury yet affordable hybrid cars, and this in many ways projects the same message as the Home Show itself. At the event itself, Lexus were marketed as THE car to have in any modern home. Sleek, stylish, green, luxury, affordable etc etc.
What do I think of the new Lexus models?
The Lexus CT 200h
Inside the CT 200h
To look at, I must say that the new hybrid range are attractive beasts. The CT 200h for example, as you can see above, has the right curves, the right angles, the right look. Not only that, the CT 200h is the first full hybrid luxury compact car, fancy ey? If we take a look inside, the new model is furnished with all the latest fancy equipment and I must say, has a very comfortable feel to it. All the models, whether they are a compact car, saloon or 4×4, are almost carbon copies of each other in terms of front end and interior. Many might take that comment as a criticism, but in my view, when you have a good look going on, why spoil it by changing things?
The IS 300h, quite attractive if you ask me
There is however, one fundamental flaw with these cars. From the outside they look both glamorous and spacious, when in fact the Lexus seem to be some sort of reverse Doctor Who TARDIS contraption. I don’t really understand how they’ve managed it if I am honest. It may be because you are expecting spacious happiness, but the reality is most definitely a cramped chamber of achy muscles and restless journeys. These cars must have one hell of a body kit on them that it makes them look so large when in fact they are hiding a dark tiny secret. It may be obvious that they have devoted a lot of time and money to the look and feel of the interior, but clearly they lost the memo that asked them to make sure there was still enough room for people to you know, fit. Speaking of space, the boot space is outrageously disappointing in these cars. To put it into perspective, I have more space in the back of my MG ZS saloon car than I saw in the back of the 4×4 Lexus hybrid. That isn’t right.
However big the car may seem, most people seem to have trouble fitting inside comfortably
As the Lexus is a luxury car brand, it may not be re-mortgaging your house expensive, but they do charge a fair amount. The CT 200h charges between £20,000 – £29,000 depending on how many extras you so desire. Considering the comfort issue for passengers, maybe this is a bit much. I will admit that I have not yet had the chance to test drive one of these cars, but I soon hope to change that. I mean for all I know driving these new cars may be the single greatest experience since someone thought to mix gin with tonic. Let me work on that.
So why all the confusion?
Basically, I really do not know what Lexus are trying to achieve with these new hybrid cars. From what I have seen, it is like they are trying to turn the Lexus hybrids into the new Prius; a fashion statement more than a car. It seems to me that they have worked on creating a car with the right ‘image’ and ‘statement’ for the modern world that they have forgotten to create a decent car. Passenger comfort and space is one of the focal points to any decent make of car, any lack of it wherever it may be will be of massive detrimental effect to the sales and success.
The cars fit perfectly in the world of ideal homes and modern living, but I do wonder how they would get on in the real world. Dreaming and reality are two completely different things after all. Something may appear wonderful, but once you have to live with it everyday, will you keep the same opinion?
Until I have the chance to drive one of these cars, I may indeed be very wrong about my initial conclusions of the cars. If any of my wonderful readers have had the chance to drive one of these new machines, I would love to hear what you think of them!
And remember, I love being proved wrong so do not be afraid to disagree with me!
Keep Driving People!
Follow me on Twitter @lewisglynn69
Peace and Love!
Top Gear Festival Sydney 2014
It’s 4pm, Friday afternoon, March 7th. Ominous clouds hover overhead whilst Thor throws down bolt after bolt of lightning. Thunder ripples through the air as a result but most eyes are on the scene unfolding in a marquee. Not only are there Jeremy Clarkson and production assistants, there’s a McLaren MP 4/4, once driven by Ayrton Senna. There’s also the engaging nephew of Ayrton, the swoon inducing (according to my female colleagues), Bruno. The interview concludes, it’s due to be shown on the large screens dotting the Sydney Motorsport Park complex, host to the Top Gear Festival Sydney 2014. The storm moves on around to the east and heads north, allowing the unveiling of the McLaren 650S, just days after the world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show. Startling in its intensive blue colour, it’s more than a machine, it’s a work of art. It’s a great lead in to what promises to be a great weekend.
Saturday morning, 7am. I’m up, if not awake. Coffee, breakfast, I’m away. There’s a queue already at the gates, people waiting for the doors to open at 8.30am. My co-host, John, meets me at our commentary spot and we catch up with the people behind the scenes from last years successful debut. We’re on the mics, welcoming exhibitors and letting them know the punters are baying for their blood. gates open and roles are reversed, letting the punters know who’s there to see and buy from. There’s plenty, from ROH Wheels to Turtle Wax to HDT-SV to look at, plus, on the South Circuit, where the McLaren resides, is the Motoring in Motion section, where people 
can experience rides in the Volvo S60, Jaguar range and more.
Come 9am and it’s time to introduce a couple of people……except 9 comes and goes. There’s a delay in getting the opening presenters to the stunt vehicles opening the show. Eventually the Isuzu D-Max utes are rolling, on their right side wheels, with Steve Pizzati and Riana Crehan to jump out and kick things off. The day becomes a melange of stunt driving, posties bike racing, Matt Mingay cars and bikes, drift cars, Shane 
Jacobson’s lightning fast wisecracks, banter between Shane, Steve and Riana, Daniel Ricciardo blasting around the circuit in the Red Bull F1 car from 2011 (breaking Mark Webber’s Saturday time quickly), a contest between a ute and an esky…race offs between various kinds of cars such as the Erebus Motorsport GT3 SLS or Neal Bates and a WRC Corolla. Channel 9 reporter Erin Molan was taken for a lap with Bruno Senna, erstwhily answering general knowledge questions….failing dismally in the process. There were more screams in two minutes than in a horror movie marathon. And yes, Jeremy and James were there, as was the Stig. The English presenters seem distracted, disinterested and, in truth, account for barely an hour of the schedule. But at least it didn’t rain.
Sunday was a repeat, program wise; the presenters started on time, there were two more 
people in the Car Bungy jump, including Riana. There were more drifting demos, more jokes, another few laps from the D-Max duo whilst the crowd seemed restless. Michelle Jenneke made an appearance, a much appreciated one to reprise her race against Clarkson from last year but with a twist. This time round, she would do some hurdles instead of all sprints, while Jeremy would also hurdle. In a car. Unexpectedly (cough) the lissome Jenneke’s warmup routine was warmly greeted by the male crowd. Hilarity ensues as Clarkson makes a few gags, drives the Lexus LF-A through polystyrene ramps and takes Michelle away. May contributes by attempting to race a monster truck with…a mon
ster truck, in this case, a radio controlled one through the wheelbase of a genuine one. 
Sadly, a few models gives their lives. Happily, they’re donated to a couple of younger crowd members. Minus controls.
Ricciardo comes out, makes a mockery of yesterday’s time, runs in the car challenge which features a few laps of high speed and includes Garth Walden’s World Time Attack winning monster. There’s a couple of drag cars, one bloke sets a burnout record, there’s applause. It’s all good fun, there’s the car soccer with the three wheeled Robin Reliants, the day rounds off with the third race of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge and that’s it. At least it didn’t rain.
Go here for some video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8ojRMvGdOs&feature=youtu.be, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsO5H_hbENQ&feature=youtu.be, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmOVyu65l6w&feature=youtu.be
The Australian Car Manufacturing Scene
So where to from here for those involved in the current Australian car manufacturing scene? With Ford’s manufacture of cars in Australia closing in 2016, and Holden and Toyota closing their manufacturing operations in 2017, this will leave Australia without any major car manufacturing going on.
With premium car manufacturing being so expensive to perform in Australia, the cost of physical labour in Australia is unlikely to become competitive on a global scale anytime soon. That’s not a particularly bad thing though, because I bet there are not many Australians who would want their wages to drop to the equivalent level of those in some other countries around the world.
Maybe the answer lies in the consumer. How can we ensure that we support the buying of cars designed and manufactured in Australia? Supporting Australian manufacturers and suppliers has got to be the best thing that we can do to keep Australia on its feet and going forward. Wouldn’t it be great if Australia could be a whole lot less dependent on cheap labour and goods from overseas?
There are some small scale car designers and manufacturers currently active in Australia. Has anyone heard of the Australian Kit Car, Bullet, Carbontech, Classic Revival, Daytona, Deuce Customs, Devaux, DRB, Elfin, G-Force, Kraftwerkz, Nota, Python, Roaring Forties, Skelta and Tomcar? We need to get alongside these guys and support them in what they do. I wonder if one or two of the people losing their job in the big gun names might be able to use their skills with any of these small scale car manufacturers.
Also fully producing vehicles of a different kind are Australian truck manufacturers IVECO, Mack Trucks and Paccar Inc.
Here’s to seeing some life breathed back into people who are entrepreneurs of the car scene in Australia; and for seeing life some breathed back into Holden and Ford. It’s great to see smaller scale Australian car manufacturers, and the truck manufacturers, doing so well. Take a look at some of the interesting small scalers mentioned above. All of these vehicles are available in Australia, and made by Australians:
Bullet Roadster
Devaux Coupe
Elfin
Python Amphibious Vehicle
Level 2, 9 Help Street