When race cars tear around the tracks at Monaco or the Nurburgring Ring in Germany, most of us only see the speed and skill of the drivers. What we don’t see is the testing of new technology – technology that will one day exist under the hood of luxury and mid-range vehicles.
Some of the technology that has trickled down from the racing circuit is very familiar to anyone who has reversed out of a parking lot. The rear view mirror, for example, was developed for the very first Indianapolis race. Ray Harroun won the race in 1911 by putting a mirror on the cowl of his Marmon Wasp race car. The mirror allowed him to drive alone, without a mechanic who would usually provide vital knowledge about the position of his competitors. As a result of that mirror, Harroun was able to see if the other drivers were about to pass him. He won the race, and the ability to safely glance behind you was changed forever.
Other pieces of technology that were developed on the track may surprise you. Many of these technological developments trickled down from the race track to luxury vehicles to base models. They include:
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- Wind Resistance: Much like their track-savvy counterparts, many modern luxury vehicles are designed with speed and aerodynamics in mind. Engineers designing the Lexus GS were inspired by Formula 1 vehicles, integrating the signature spindle grille with its trapezoidal contours into the front bumper. This allowed for more efficient airflow around the body of the vehicle.
- Brakes: Stopping power is very important when going more than 300 kilometres per hour. Race car technology saw the development of disc brakes, which were better than drum brakes because they were easier to keep cool. When a car brakes, heat from the friction can reduce the brakes’ stopping power and shorten their life span. This shortened lifespan also meant reduced safety for drivers and their passengers.
- Rear Steering: At high speeds, the ability to turn on a dime is extremely important. Modern cars like the Lexus GS 350 RWD offer dynamic rear steering systems that turn the rear wheels along with the front for optimal agility and control.
So what can we expect to see on the highway in the near future?
- Improved brakes: Disc brakes have given way to ceramic brakes, as seen in the Lexus LFA. Ceramic brakes better withstand the heat generated by the act of braking.
- LED lights. The Lexus LFA has LED lights and this technology continues to move into road models. Lexus’s road models offer it as an optional package.
- Improved performance from hybrid and electric cars. A UK-based consortium is looking at ways to improve the performance of electric cars by turning the entire car into a battery. Hybrid cars have been on the road for years but the latest versions, like the 2014 Lexus GS Hybrid, have increased horsepower and reduced emissions.
To see the result of race car technology, watch how the new Lexus GS 350 AWD and F SPORT did when tested in the slippery winter conditions at Mecaglaisse Motorsport near Montreal.