Driving pleasure
Encyclopedia
Driving pleasure is a feeling of enjoyment derived from operating a motor vehicle
. Factors known to contribute to driving pleasure include responsiveness of the vehicle to driver manipulation of the controls, which means that the vehicle obeys and executes driver's commands faithfully.
In the vehicle development process, driving pleasure is "the driver's feel for vehicle manipulation under various road conditions." When designing a car, features that increase driving pleasure and safety may work in opposition, forcing engineers to make choices between the two or find a new solution that accomplishes both.
Motor vehicle
A motor vehicle or road vehicle is a self-propelled wheeled vehicle that does not operate on rails, such as trains or trolleys. The vehicle propulsion is provided by an engine or motor, usually by an internal combustion engine, or an electric motor, or some combination of the two, such as hybrid...
. Factors known to contribute to driving pleasure include responsiveness of the vehicle to driver manipulation of the controls, which means that the vehicle obeys and executes driver's commands faithfully.
In the vehicle development process, driving pleasure is "the driver's feel for vehicle manipulation under various road conditions." When designing a car, features that increase driving pleasure and safety may work in opposition, forcing engineers to make choices between the two or find a new solution that accomplishes both.
Factors that affect driving pleasure
- Speed: Driving at high speed thrills.
- Throttle responseThrottle responseThrottle response or vehicle responsiveness is a measure of how quickly a vehicle's prime mover, such as an internal combustion engine, can increase its power output in response to a driver's request for acceleration, such as a pedal being pressed...
: It gives the feeling that the vehicle responds well to the driver's commands. The easier to manipulate the motion of vehicle, the greater the pleasure. - Adequate power of vehicle: Power requirements depend on both the vehicle's dynamics and track.
- Steering response: feedback on the state of vehicle is felt by the driver through steering.
- Acceleration: Forces act on the driver are due to accelerationAccelerationIn physics, acceleration is the rate of change of velocity with time. In one dimension, acceleration is the rate at which something speeds up or slows down. However, since velocity is a vector, acceleration describes the rate of change of both the magnitude and the direction of velocity. ...
, linear and angular. Longitudinal forces are due to linear acceleration and deceleration, and lateral forces occur while turning act on the driver. These forces can not be easily simulated anywhere other than a vehicle. Lateral force is easily perceived when cornering a four wheeled vehicle, and can be up to 5gG forceThe g-force associated with an object is its acceleration relative to free-fall.It may also refer to:* G-Force , a 2009 film by Disney** G-Force , a 2009 video game based on the film...
in F1Formula OneFormula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
racing. In motorcycles lateral force on the driver is not felt when cornering, due to leaning the bike into a corner to remain balanced. - Road or track: A track with challenging corners and good landscape is a joy to drive.
- Racing and overtaking: RacingRacingA sport race is a competition of speed, against an objective criterion, usually a clock or to a specific point. The competitors in a race try to complete a given task in the shortest amount of time...
with other vehicles and overtaking is thrilling. - Ride qualityRide qualityRide quality refers to the degree of protection offered vehicle occupants from uneven elements in the road surface, or the terrain if driving off-road. A car with very good ride quality is also a comfortable car to ride in. Cars which disturb vehicle occupants with major or minor road...
: Firm ride enhances driving pleasure up to a point. - Physical comfort: Interior climate control and comfortable seat. Good ergonomicsErgonomicsErgonomics is the study of designing equipment and devices that fit the human body, its movements, and its cognitive abilities.The International Ergonomics Association defines ergonomics as follows:...
of the vehicle's controls (for example, reach to steering wheel, pedals, and shift). Absence or low levels of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH levels). - Exploration: Motor vehicles allow for easy and comfortable navigation of broad areas, with stunning views and other natural phenomena.