Mercedes leaving DTM

[lkjohnson1950]

After 18 successful years Mercedes will leave the DTM series to race in........FORMULA E

Those of us who think Formula E is a bit stupid will find this hard to swallow, but Merc once again says it will assist in the development of their future road cars.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/130904/mercedes-to-quit-dtm-confirms-formula-e-team?utm_source=Autosport+Newsletter&utm_campaign=df270fd85f-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_07_25&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_37b525b20e-df270fd85f-85608567

[cosworth151]

Does that mean that Merc intends to build cars that need to be replaced after an hour's driving? 

Audi left LeMans and ended up in Formula Ick E.

[lkjohnson1950]

Some people think the "gas station" of the future will be a place where you swap out batteries. Or leave your communal car in exchange for another one that's charged up.

[Jericoke]

Some people think the "gas station" of the future will be a place where you swap out batteries. Or leave your communal car in exchange for another one that's charged up.

Isn't that how the 'post' used to work?  The mail carrier goes from post to post, exchanging a tired horse for a fresh one?

It's a good idea in theory, but I'm not going to get into some strange car without knowing what the previous occupant did in it.  (And no, having cameras monitor what I do in the car isn't a trade off I'd make)

As for battery swaps -  I remember back in they day of video tape rental:  I got a tape that was so covered in something that it ruined my VCR.  I never rented a VHS again.  I'm not putting some used battery in my second most expensive possession without knowing where it came from.

[Scott]

I won't be my Dad just yet...

My neighbour brought home a new Merc 'plug-in-hybrid' GLC 350e SUV for a demo spin today.  He is over the moon about it.  For his daily use, the gas motor will never kick in, and in the rare time he drives far enough to use it, the thing gets a ridiculous amount of mileage, and runs in tandem with the electric motors, which put out 400+hp. 

I'm ok with all that.  My son wants me to buy one of the BMW i's, but I'm still boycotting BMW for leaving Sauber to flounder, and can't really afford one anyhow.  I want one of the new $35k Tesla's that are just around the bend.  Here in Europe there isn't a direction you can go without finding a supercharge station within the next 200km, and with a 20min charge you can go another 300km (80% charge - 100% overnight charge is around 375km).  I'm ok with that - I like a coffee every 200km or so while on the road.  I like the tech, not the stink or the sound.

I recognize we can't electrify the world because with current tech there is a finite number of batteries that can be built with the earth's precious minerals, but I think the next battery is just around the corner and I know that there are certainly more than a few thousand researchers looking to store electricity more earth friendly than we are now.

That said, I still like F1, the noise, the spectacle and.

Combustion engines in anything I own?  I'm almost done with that (but if Wizzo shows up with his Caterham one day, of course I'll join him for a ride).

[lkjohnson1950]

Now Porsche has announced this is their last year in WEC, they're going to ....FORMULA E

http://en.f1i.com/news/274693-porsche-quits-wec-heads-formula-e.html

If Ferrari announces a move to Formula E, I'm done with racing. 

[Andy B]

I can understand all these companies moving to electric racing as it'll compliment road cars whereas F1 never has and never will so maybe they'll stop trying to prove there is a link between F1 and your daily hack and get on with building race cars that sound and look the part.
Gets off soap box and leaves the room. 

[cosworth151]

I wonder how much of the Porsche & Audi moves to Formula E have to do with parent VW's diesel debacle. "Hey, look! We really are green!"

No work yet from the tens of people worldwide who give a fat rat's backside about Formula E.