Are Car Manufacturers Losing Their Heritage?

"Everett Jiang" (thirdgear)
05/15/2015 at 00:57 • Filed to: cars, mercedes, audi, porsche, bmw, heritage, driving, driver, turbo, displacement, steering, braking, electronic, tractioncontrol

The current controversy over brands such as Mercedes Benz, BMW, Audi, and Porsche releasing cars that deviate from years of heritage and tradition is simply understated. The cars we know and love are slowly but surely being chewed away in favor of more profitable but less traditional models and designs. Luxury sports car brands have since created economy cars and unneeded “crossovers” which seem terribly cramped. Cars seemingly get more and more praise from manufacturers while losing the critical responsiveness in favor of a more luxurious ride quality. As a 17 year old male looking towards a bright future in the car world, I am concerned. Are the cars that we know and love going to disappear?

My biggest gripe with manufacturers is the addition of so many unneeded cars aimed at making the company more accessible to other demographics, such as the Audi A3 and Mercedes CLA. These cars possess neither the responsive sport feel generic to smaller cars from such highly esteemed brands nor the luxurious ride comfort as advertised. These cars are simply economy cars under luxury sports car labels. Unlike the compact cars of just a few years ago (1 series BMW?), such economy cars sport inline fours and turbos that sodomize the driving experience robbing the driver of the pleasure the throaty growl of a six cylinder and the responsiveness of instant power. Other cars similar in distaste include the Q3, Macan, X1, and GLA from Audi, Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes respectively. Already possessing both crossovers and SUVs in their lineups, these super brands somehow saw a necessity for a hybrid between hatchbacks and crossovers, resulting in an ultimate compromise. Instead of focusing on a few great products, manufacturers are simply deviating from perfection.

As current demands call for more luxury, the select driving elite’s demands of responsive driving fades away. Electric steering, electronic brakes, softer suspension, and low revving transmission software (doesn’t like to downshift even when floored) are opted over the traditional hydraulic set ups, stiffer rides, and responsive transmissions. Even the throttle feels, in an indescribable manner, mushy. The linear responses of older, more traditional set ups simply can’t be replaced by its modern counterparts. The biggest sin, by far, is the absence of a manual transmission. In further opposition, the double clutch transmission in lieu of a manuel tends to not downshift, and the paddles have a rather slow reaction. As a Mercedes fan, I am slowly being pushed away from the brand because of its lack of dedication to the traditional driver. Not to mention, being a teenager, it hurts to see my generation grow up playing race boy and using some flappy paddle gearbox. Please keep in mind that in no way am I complaining about the leanings towards luxury. I am only upset that in order to satisfy a newer lot of customers, brands are willing to sell out the few enthusiasts who drive for the road. Brands are literally taking away the feel of the road and creating a numb driving experience. I only ask of them not to discontinue these antiquated, but effective, methods. At least keep them around as an option.

My last and least worrisome finding is the switch from displacement to forced induction. As the saying goes, “there is no replacement for displacement.” Understandably, the newer EPA and emissions regulations reward downsizing and turbocharging of engines for more fuel efficient (and budget efficient) cars. Sadly, this is the case for both the new C class Mercedes and the Audi A4. The smaller turbocharged, to a normal driver, is perfectly capable. However, it is no alternative for true diehard auto enthusiasts.

As the car market changes to accommodate popular consensus, I can’t help but wonder what will happen to the dwindling breed of automotive purists who indulge in quick responsive cars designed with driving in mind. Even if we continue to pursue our passions, what will happen to the cars we know and love? What will come become of the brands we were ever so loyal to?

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DISCUSSION (4)

Party-vi > Everett Jiang
05/18/2015 at 08:59

You’re completely ignoring the car market outside of the US. Mercedes has been making tiny B-Class and A-Class cars for years with FWD and turbodiesel engines but no one says anything. The 1-Series BMW has been sold as a FWD 4-door hatchback since 2004. The Audi A2 was introduced in 1999 and stopped production in 2005, and in 2010 Audi released the A1. These are all entry-level economy cars that your favorite German brands have been making for over a decade. Also, the A4 has had a turbocharged engine option for the past 21 years, and now Mercedes and BMW are catching on because you can have a small-displacement engine that makes competitive horsepower but still puts out fewer emissions and gets better gas mileage on paper.

PS: There is only one “luxury sports car” brand, and that is BMW. Mercedes is a straight-up luxury brand, and Audi makes very nice Volkswagens :3

Everett Jiang > Party-vi
05/18/2015 at 17:31

I do agree with the point that you are making and I admit there were some flaws to my argument. However I still believe that my argument of the decline in driver oriented cars stands true (correct me if I am wrong, I am not stubborn).

Thanks for the criticism!

PS: After driving both entry model BMWs and Benzes, I can vouch that Benzes possess a zippier more agile sporty feel. The BMW 3 series for example was seriously disappointing in how it handled, accelerated, and more importantly just how it felt. The CLA, though more of competition for the 1 and 2 series, was seriously impressive for a front wheel drive and both me and my friend favored it over the 3 series. The C class Mercedes to me felt just a tad above the 3 series, but not much more. If it was slightly lower in its center of gravity, then it would have been a great driver.

Party-vi > Everett Jiang
05/18/2015 at 17:39

Unfortunately the new C-Class is starting at $40k now, pushing it out of competition with the 3-Series. Hopefully BMW doesn’t have the 1-Series in the US as a CLA competitor just to push the 3-Series up to the $40k mark.

Everett Jiang > Party-vi
05/18/2015 at 17:41

In terms of size as well as historically, didn’t the 3 series compete with the C class until recently when Mercedes overhauled the C class (and in my mind killed it)?