Autopia, The Future Of Cars – Jon Bentley
Ex Top Gear producer and motoring journalist Jon Bentley poses the question in his new book Autopia, what is the future of cars?
It’s an important question, one I wondered myself. What does future personal transport look like and could I go on driving my old cars and riding my motorcycle. In the book Jon explores the technological advances that have been made and what they could mean.
Alternative means of power and autonomy of the car are discussed in detail. Two of the most fundamental things that are shaping the modern day automobile. Electric power is nothing new, but is it the only method of motive power we have?
The technology available now means that the driver could be redundant. How much of the car is going to take over and is there going to be any fun?
Ex Top Gear producer and motoring journalist Jon Bentley poses the question in his new book Autopia, what is the future of cars?
It’s an important question, one I wondered myself. What does future personal transport look like and could I go on driving my old cars and riding my motorcycle. In the book Jon explores the technological advances that have been made and what they could mean.
Alternative means of power and autonomy of the car are discussed in detail. Two of the most fundamental things that are shaping the modern day automobile. Electric power is nothing new, but is it the only method of motive power we have?
The technology available now means that the driver could be redundant. How much of the car is going to take over and is there going to be any fun?
Motorsport is discussed and its scrutiny under a carbon zero target. How can they cope with the ever stringent demands and will we have motor racing?
One thing that I found interesting and somewhat alarming was the interviews with the upcoming future car designers. Those studying at university working on what could be our future transportation. Homes and cars mixed, mobile living rooms… Some of it sounds ok, but these self-driving boxes don’t look small. Where are they all going to fit and if that’s the case, only homeowners will have their own transport.
Motorsport is discussed and its scrutiny under a carbon zero target. How can they cope with the ever stringent demands and will we have motor racing?
One thing that I found interesting and somewhat alarming was the interviews with the upcoming future car designers. Those studying at university working on what could be our future transportation. Homes and cars mixed, mobile living rooms… Some of it sounds ok, but these self-driving boxes don’t look small. Where are they all going to fit and if that’s the case, only homeowners will have their own transport.
Your car crashing will take on a whole new meaning as it could well relate to the software. Which in turn could lead to the normal definition. If your car catches a virus, it could be fatal for all occupants. A scary prospect.
But Jon is an enthusiast, of not just new cars but old ones too. There is an entire chapter devoted to the role of the classic car in a more futuristic environment.
I really enjoyed the book, even if the subject matter is a little beyond my main interest. But it’s important, and as I have a long history of working in the automotive industry, I found it fascinating. It’s written in such a way that you can see the amount research and time that went into it. You can also see how this would have worked as a TV mini-series. The Top Gear experience, and Jon being host of the Gadget Show, coming through. It reminded me of the old style Top Gear where it was a show about motoring, and I could imagine these topics being features.
I can happily recommend the The Future Of Cars by Jon Bentley as it is interesting and informative to read. Even if you haven’t considered the future, you can experience it in a good old fashioned book. Buy a copy for yourself, but I think it would make a nice present for someone. So, buy two.
Simon
