Function
and form
By Tesfu Telahoun
Welcome to the 8th edition of Brakes, please! Capital's window
on the world of cars and vehicular safety. You will recall that
8 weeks ago, we launched a 6 part automotive systems improvement
package focusing on retrofitting older model cars with modern parts
and components. The Retrofit Top Six concludes today with Functional
Esthetics.
Brakes, please! welcomes contributions from all you auto enthusiasts,
as indeed, this first Vehicle of the Week displays a photograph
of a circa late 1940s Auto Union DKW. We thank Demetro (not his
real name) and invite you all to send us your photographs of interesting
vehicles in Ethiopia, running or rusting, to syscom@ethionet.et
or submit in person with a visit to the Brakes, please desk at Capital's
offices opposite Kaldi's (Tele Medhanealem). Include your actual
name or preferred one and details about the vehicle.
Functional Esthetics
Function and esthetics may seem like oil and water - they don't
mix well, if at all. It is those manufacturers that cook these two
ingredients well that succeed in higher profit margins. Functional
esthetics put in layman's terms, is how to make something, vehicles
in our case, perform at the highest level while maintaining visible
beauty and grace of stance.
Herr Ferdinand Porsche may have been a Nazi, but he was also a master
chef of automotive design. The Porsche 911 four wheel drive is like
all Porsche vehicles, never totally new. It is an evolved form that
actually doesn't stray far from the founder's original specifications.
The 911 4wd Turbo is a beauty to behold and a miracle to drive…
if you can afford it’s more than 100,000 USD sticker prices.
The car's beauty is not added on. Functional esthetics demand that
each curve, protrusion, slant, bend - the entire spectrum of specifications
be functional - meaning useful from an engineering perspective -
and beautiful (esthetics), without compromising automotive physics.
1.Spoilers = Mounted at the rear, create down force at highway speeds.
Vehicle will become heavier in the rear as the spoilers push it
down.
2.Skirts = Wrapping around the lower body, skirts deflect front
wind and enable the car to glide through turbulence.
3.Vents = These air-intakes are on the car's front or on the sides
(in mid or rear engine vehicles) and channel cooling air to the
engine and turbocharger.
4. Deflectors = As the name suggests, these act like mini spoilers
and can be mounted or affixed in several places. They are mainly
used on flaired bumpers and windshield wipers can be fitted with
air deflectors. Again, it is all about serving a purpose and adding
visual appeal.
5. Mudguards = The granny of add-ons, mudguards (also called splash
guards) are the cheapest and most available functional piece of
esthetics. Easy to install and with ready visual impact, mudguards,
apart from preventing needless and unsightly body panels, give the
illusion of a low center of gravity.
6. Low Profile Tyres = Very expensive and very, very good if the
vehicle is worth the effort. They are especially engineered to reduce
friction.
Dear Horn Blower,
I am writing to call attention about reckless car detailing that
has gone ballistic. Minibus taxis are the main culprits. Dashboard
indicators are redundant because they are convenient cassette tape
shelves. The windshield is half-shrine to all manner of saints with
the remaining window space occupied by Wayne Rooney and/or Ronaldinho
figures. The center is of course where highly reflective (therefore
dangerous) CDs are glued on - what for beats me. Horn Blower, give
the authorities a good long blast for me!
Yared Melke, Mechanic
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