Cars To Enjoy Driving

Cars for driving enjoyment are an endangered species. Today, the motor world is advancing at an unstoppable and frantic pace towards full automation.

We are facing a technology where human beings will have little or nothing to do once they get behind the wheel. Even in the not too distant future, there may not even be a steering wheel.

The dealerships are full of many models without major differentiating features; cars designed to be comfortable for everyday use in urban environments. Practical for intercity trips on highways, and even with some capabilities to roll beyond the asphalt.

Although there are many options on the market, these are ‘flat’ cars, with no surprises. The combination of all these factors has made driving experiences semi-automatic and boring. Predictable.

More security, less fun?

Most car gears have struggled in recent decades to offer safe cars. They are vehicles that will hardly go off the road or that will prevent those who drive them from taking a curve faster than they should.

They are machines that park themselves or offer assistance for starting on steep slopes. This is how many drivers, especially those with years of experience, feel that the new cars do not leave room for talent.

Cars to enjoy driving: all is not lost

Despite the large-scale invasion of generic SUVs, there is still room for those who enjoy driving ; Those drivers who push their machines to the limit and demand not only power and speed from them. Stability when cornering or ability to adapt to the most adverse conditions is also important.

There are still cars whose performance and benefits depend on the good job of whoever is sitting in the driving position . These are vehicles for climbing the steepest slopes or gliding reliably between the tightest curves.

In practice, to successfully navigate these and other obstacles, these cars will need someone to drive them intelligently. And this without overlooking the safety regulations to be met in each case.

Classic models

Car purists, those who make a living analyzing cars to enjoy driving, often look to the past. Before computerized assistance systems, drivers had to put their skills on display, even from the moment of starting or when parking.

Among the most appreciated models, the Renault R5 Turbo stands out. Many connoisseurs will include, for various reasons, almost any version of this small French passenger car made between 1972 and 1985 in their particular lists of funny cars. The R5 Turbo prevails with an advantage over the rest.

This version is easy to identify, thanks to its rear-drive mid-engine. The exterior design included a wider rear, provided with air intakes to cool the machine. It came to have 160 hp and a capacity of 1.4 liters, and became synonymous with power and class.

Other classics

The Ford Sierra Cosworth is another of the iconic models of the 1980s. It stood out for its large wings, which in addition to becoming a hallmark of the American brand, had the function of keeping the car glued to the asphalt.

The Mini Cooper was, from its origins, a reference among cars to enjoy driving. Its pedigree is such that it is considered the most influential car of the 20th century, only behind the mythical Ford T.

We must also mention the Opel Kadett GSI, another car from the 80s that continues to stand out today. A model born of the ralis, with a 150 hp machine and ultralight body.

In adverse conditions

Although it may seem counterintuitive , many people enjoy going behind the wheel under the most adverse weather conditions. It may be in the middle of winter, in a snowfall.

For these types of drivers, there are cars of the latest generations that have a wide variety of assistance systems, but in which human skills are still important.

The latest generation of the long-lived Fiat Panda (another car born in the 80s) stands out especially. Although its light and urban appearance raises doubts, its performance is unquestionable.

Another model to remember, the Range Rover Evoque Convertible, stands out for two reasons. The first is its 150 hp engine (in the most modest version), with an all-wheel drive that stops at nothing. The second is its convertible roof, which allows you to experience the outdoor space that surrounds driving.