They're interesting and exciting, yet unattainable for most, and unusable on public roads. Supercars might seem pointless, but that's somewhat missing the point
Sometimes when I reflect on the weaknesses of supercars, I can consider them, on occasion, to be somewhat pointless. Now as a car fanatic, I acknowledge that my perception does seem surprisingly contradictory. But when you take into account the reasons, there is plausible foundation to my rumination which is often not properly considered, and probably overlooked.
Before I elaborate further, I must admit at this point that it’s a conflicting notion to ponder as someone who has been passionate about cars ever since I was a kid. Yet in the spirit of debate with the intention of stimulating deeper understanding, I am compelled to disclose the thoughts that have floated about in my brain. It is important to comprehend different outlooks in order to better fathom your own.
Of course, it might not come as much of a shock for me to impart to you that I spend a considerable amount of time contemplating the topic of cars, it is after all one of my interests. However, the deliberations that I am about to share could be something of a curveball. Nevertheless, to what extent the shortcomings have on changing perspectives about supercars is a matter of individual interpretation.
I must reiterate at this stage that I love supercars, and that debating this alternative viewpoint is merely for academic purposes. Even so, some of the arguments are hard to ignore. A significant prohibitor is that supercars are simply unattainable by most people. They are expensive, which means they are exclusive, so not many people can experience them. And if the experience can’t be shared, then it leaves a bitter taste for those that like them, but can’t experience them.
"It is important to comprehend different outlooks in order to better fathom your own"
Another factor that highlights their futility with some irony, is that supercars posses unexploitable performance that can’t be used safely on most public roads. There are exceptions of course. Sections of the autobahn in Germany are derestricted, which allow the fortunate few to unleash the velocity of whatever supercar they are driving. But there are barely any other places that allow such liberties to be taken.
Furthermore, for the high speed that supercars are designed to be driven at, there are a limited number of public roads that enable for that sort of performance to be extracted without risk and danger. That means track days at race circuits are the only designated location that permit for supercars to be experienced, which does limit the remit to a very narrow window.
Moreover, supercars are impractical to utilise, they really aren’t all that suited for road use. From a low ride height that makes navigating roads ridden with potholes or the hustle and bustle of a congested city an uncomfortable challenge, there are all sorts considerations that make what would be a routine drive into an annoying ordeal. When supercars are viewed through this filter, these foibles are drawbacks that detract from how they are perceived.
Of course, there are exceptions. The Porsche 911 very much bucks the trend, as does the Audi R8. Both have inherent versatility for real world driving on public roads. They walk a tightrope that few manage to do convincingly. But beyond these two examples, and there are few others in the broader supercar landscape that would seriously be considered.
"Really, they are style and status chariots for those that are minted"
That’s because the vast majority of supercars are designed for high-performance, not practicality, which can only be used on race tracks, not public roads, and can only be afforded by wealthy people, not ordinary people. Really, they are style and status chariots for those that are minted. Whichever way you look at it, through this lens, it is a conflicting predicament. As a car fanatic from a humble background, it’s hard to imagine what purchasing a supercar must be like.
However, my fondness for them is justified for reasons that outweigh the uncomfortable and inconvenient truths. For a start, compared to mass market cars, supercars are so much more interesting and exciting. They capture my fascination and spark my imagination in ways volume cars made for the mass market just don’t. Despite the evident lack of accessibility of supercars, their scarcity does nevertheless make them special. Whenever I see one on the road, no matter what brand, my heart does flutter with elation.
But what’s most inspiring, from my perspective, is that supercars are the ultimate versions of what carmakers can produce. The research and development that is put into creating these extreme pieces of design and engineering showcases the best of the brand. To see the passion and hard work come together to manufacture a supercar has to be incredibly satisfying on a professional level.
That’s something I appreciate and respect. The dedication to whatever supercar project is about something bigger than you, a cause with a self-fulfilling purpose that leaves behind a legacy for all time. That’s an enticing proposition and prospect that adds to the supercar appeal, as that mystique and uniqueness is not something that you come across every day.
"compared to mass market cars, supercars are so much more interesting and exciting"
Another aspect that compels me is that supercars push the limits of what’s possible in terms of performance. To accomplish these ambitions, pioneering methods are needed to provide innovative solutions to the challenges that engineers are confronted with. It’s knowing the time and effort that went into producing a supercar that I acknowledge and admire.
All of these reasons make supercars rather cool and awesome. What they are capable of in terms of high-performance is extraordinary. And that level of competence challenges you to come out of your comfort zone on a personal level, to improve and become a better driver. To have that opportunity to develop your skillset as a driver, to learn and grow as a person is what enriches your life and gives it meaning.
It's what makes supercars exceptional. To put it another way, supercars are like deep sea dive watches. The depths to which the extreme examples can dive to is beyond any depth a person can survive at, and therefore beyond anything that you will ever need. Watches that can reach a depth of 4000metres are rather ridiculous really. So much so that you wonder what really is the point of them at all.
But that is the exact reason which misses the point. The ultra-deep dive watches won’t ever descend to such depths when strapped around the wrist of a human, because that is not the intention from the outset. Watch companies don’t produce them for humans to be used at that depth, as it’s not possible for a person to survive in such an extreme environment. They produce them to showcase what the brand is capable of.
"Supercars are like Marvel superheroes, in that they can drive like most other cars can’t"
It's incomprehensible what it must be like to dive that deep underwater, which does make the watch worthless, but also kind of cool and awesome. It shows that the watch can endure rough and tough treatment beyond whatever it is likely to put up with. So, if you drop it in a hand basin or a swimming pool or a muddy puddle, you know because it’s an ultra-deep dive watch, it can take it. That reassurance gives you a peace of mind.
And it’s the same with supercars. Demonstrating and proving potential and what they are capable of is a status symbol that defines the supercar image, and is the very rationale that gives them the name that they have. Supercars are like Marvel superheroes, in that they can drive like most other cars can’t, just as Marvel superheroes have superpowers, in that they can do things most other people can’t.
I hope you understand what I’m trying to say. With supercars, you can’t really extract and exploit their full performance potential on public roads. But that is not the purpose. Like the ultra-deep dive watches, it’s good to know what a car company is capable of, just in case you need to tap into that potential, should the need arise. What a supercar has in reserve might be pointless, but it’s cool and awesome, which is why I love them.
Photo: Goodwood Festival of Speed
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