Read the Beforeitsnews.com story here. Advertise at Before It's News here.
Profile image
By Eric Peters Autos
Contributor profile | More stories
Story Views
Now:
Last hour:
Last 24 hours:
Total:

Department of Not Good Ideas

% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.


Automobiles, Motorcycles and Libertarian Politics

I guess once you start hitting the pipe, you end up going for broke.

Literally.

At the Geneva Auto Show, Infiniti – in between puffs – revealed two new ideas that make the Aztek seem inspired.

First, yet another over-priced, too-heavy, makes-no-sense hybrid.

Second, drive-by-wire steering.

As in, no mechanical link between the wheel in your hands and the wheels on the ground.

The “sporty hybrid” (what the hell? a “sporty” hybrid makes sense like a speedo for the Pope) is dubbed Project Black S. It will be based on the Q60 coupe.

The Q60 isn’t cheap. Nor is it economical. Which is by no means bad. It’s a gorgeous, luxurious, high-performance car – which means economic considerations are (or ought to be, in a non-on-the-pipe world) irrelevant.

Oh, gee. It will get maybe 5 MPG better gas mileage! Give it ten.

And?

What the hell does it matter?

The car will cost more than the non-hybrid version, erasing any “savings” at the pump. It will be heavier and so not handle as well and it will have a smaller trunk and so be even less practical.

Again, am I the only one in the room who isn’t high?

Next up will be a steer-by-wire system for the Q50 and likely other Infiniti vehicles. It will be packaged with all of the company’s self-driving features under a new ProPilot Assist package.

Why is this demented?

Two reasons come to mind.

One, it is gratuitous technology. Like a button you push that pushes a button to turn the radio on. It adds expense and complexity and cost for dubious, if any, benefit.

For two, this is not an airplane subject to rigorous regular tech inspection and scheduled – mandatory – maintenance. Drive-by-wire steering requires sensitive electronics and software, in addition to complex mechanicals. How will these hold up after 80,000 miles of stop-and-go driving, heat-and-cold cycles and – critically- neglectful maintenance.

What happens when the system fails – and the car can no longer be steered? Or steers in the wrong direction?

That can happen with mechanical steering, too. But it is far less likely because you are dealing with physical components that have to physically break. Software, on the other hand…

ProPilot system will bundle the car’s existing autonomous functions, including active lane keeping, backup collision prevention, intelligent cruise control, forward emergency braking, lane departure prevention and blind spot intervention.

ProPilot made its global debut last year in the Japan-market Nissan Serena family van and is part of a ramp up to fully autonomous driving by 2020.

The Serena ProPilot system differs by enabling automatic stop-and-go driving in heavy traffic and automated steering in low-speed driving.

Infiniti’s ProPilot system will adopt those more advanced functions in 2018, in a nameplate other than the Q50.. Infiniti’s vision for self-driving cars is improved safety with still-engaged drivers.

Uh huh.

And they ask me why I drink.

The post Department of Not Good Ideas appeared first on EPautos – Libertarian Car Talk.


Source: http://ericpetersautos.com/2017/03/03/department-not-good-ideas/


Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world.

Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.

"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.

Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.


LION'S MANE PRODUCT


Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules


Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.



Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.


Report abuse

    Comments

    Your Comments
    Question   Razz  Sad   Evil  Exclaim  Smile  Redface  Biggrin  Surprised  Eek   Confused   Cool  LOL   Mad   Twisted  Rolleyes   Wink  Idea  Arrow  Neutral  Cry   Mr. Green

    MOST RECENT
    Load more ...

    SignUp

    Login

    Newsletter

    Email this story
    Email this story

    If you really want to ban this commenter, please write down the reason:

    If you really want to disable all recommended stories, click on OK button. After that, you will be redirect to your options page.