Why we need a Stig mode.

"Oran J Sands III" (merlyyn)
02/24/2015 at 11:09 • Filed to: None

After watching the latest Top Gear episodes I am again amazed at the overwhelming driving "modes/options" that one needs to engage/turn off modify in order to drive the damn thing. Why? We need a DIY button for those that want to simply drive the car themselves. One button to rule them all.

Let's face it, if the damn car is undriveable without all the options engaged what's the point? If a comfortable drive is what you want then have a button for that. But if it's time for a showdown with the guy next to you then you need one button to turn off the comfy ride and make it the race car you bought.

Sure you could beat the guy if you had launch control. Or you could learn how to drive it. Enough with the helper modes. You want to shift it yourself? Then do everything else as well.

The best lap we've ever seen the Stig make was in a Caterham. It had a steering wheel, brakes and an accelerator.

DISCUSSION (11)

E. Julius > Oran J Sands III
02/24/2015 at 11:13

Didn't watch it. What car are you referring to?

CalzoneGolem > Oran J Sands III
02/24/2015 at 11:14

Especially off.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Oran J Sands III
02/24/2015 at 11:23

There is already, it's called "pull the ABS fuse" :)

Or drive my pickup, because it doesn't have any of those things on it.

Oran J Sands III > E. Julius
02/24/2015 at 11:26

Depends on which episode. It's gotten to be a comic act as they go through turning everything off/on to get ready to have a runoff.

Oran J Sands III > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
02/24/2015 at 11:27

When I bought my brother's car the first thing he said was "Here's the traction control. Turn it off."

E. Julius > Oran J Sands III
02/24/2015 at 11:51

Ah ok, i haven't watched Top Gear in like three years so I didn't know if it was some specific thing. Makes sense.

Manic Otti > Oran J Sands III
02/24/2015 at 16:33

How about a Nag Mode that turns up the stereo, makes the exhaust louder and Turns the AC on for only the passenger side?

newsmctado > Oran J Sands III
03/04/2015 at 08:54

I am all about technically advanced vehicles (read, McLaren P1, Porsche 918, etc), and I think that electronic interference is an absolute necessity in most sports cars these days (I wouldn't be able to handle 400 Hp without some help, traction control, etc). That being said, I have always wanted a Caterham since I saw one on Top Gear years ago. Simple, fast, single purpose, and (astoundingly) inexpensive. It's not even like a MG or Austin Healey, which was theoretically to be used as a "car" rather than a toy. The Caterham, literally, has no purpose other than to get to from point A to B as quickly as possible and ending with a giant grin on your face.

Oran J Sands III > newsmctado
03/04/2015 at 09:09

"A man's reach should exceed his grasp". Not sure who said that but I believe its true about cars. Your car should be faster than you. That's what makes it fun to drive. I can drive a Camry at it's maximum and will be yawning the entire time. I had a '59 Fiat roadster that had 4 different types/sizzes of tires on it and every turn was a new experience. Going fast in that car was a full-time job and exhilarating.

Kinja'd!!!

DrScientist > Oran J Sands III
03/09/2015 at 13:22

i know this is an old post, but i'm going to respond anyway.

i think you're mixing up two different types of electronic controls. there are:

1) the nannies: the ABS, the traction control, the stability management, and likely a bunch of others i'm not aware of, all meant to keep you from putting it in the ditch

2) the performance controls: throttle response, shift speed (for autos and dcts), suspension characteristics, active aero if available, all meant to make a fast driver drive faster.

i think what you want is a single button that turns the nannies off, and turns the performance controls to their most aggressive. and as far as i'm aware there are plenty of cars that do this already. the bmws with sport and sport plus, the ferraris with race and whatever else, all of these are an attempt to do exactly what youre requesting: turn off the nannies and turn up the racecar.

Oran J Sands III > DrScientist
03/09/2015 at 13:29

I definitely want the nannies off, but I'm a fan of having the others turned on all the time. They're only turned off to make sure you're comfortable on the way to the kid's soccer game. Realistically I get it but I don't like it.