I’m getting older, something I felt keenly writing this. Growing up in the seventies and eighties, I lived in the era of the Hero Car. Cars weren’t just machines; they were stars. From Steve McQueen’s ’68 Mustang GT390 in Bullitt chasing a Dodge Charger, to the Gran Torino in Starsky & Hutch, the Trans-Am in Smokey and the Bandit, and K.I.T.T. from Knight Rider, every engine had a story, every tire squeal mattered. Across the pond, Bodie and Doyle tore through Triumph Dolomites, the Duke boys roared in the General Lee, and Thomas Magnum cruised Hawaii in a Ferrari 308 GTS. For a young petrolhead, it was heaven.
Back then, the V8 ruled. The roar of an engine, the smell of fuel, the thrill of impractical machines it all made cars aspirational. Michael Knight’s Trans-Am, the A-Team’s Vandura, Hardcastle and McCormick’s Coyote even two-wheeled heroes like CHiPs and Street Hawk turned petrol-powered adventure into a fantasy. Cars were characters, and it was impossible not to fall in love with engines.
Then came 1985, and Back to the Future shifted everything. The DeLorean, powered by a modest V6, became a time machine, a symbol of imagination. Accelerating to 88mph and disappearing in flames, it promised anything was possible. Cars weren’t just about petrol they could be electric, futuristic, and fantastical, even if we didn’t know it yet.
Forty years on, most Marty McFly predictions failed, no hoverboards, no time travel but electric vehicles (EVs) have arrived. Yet they rarely capture the imagination of those raised on tire smoking chases and roaring V8s. Why do most EVs look uninspired, like mid-market hatchbacks? Why not embrace their futuristic potential, make them bold, Jetsons-like, and thrilling?
Despite the push toward zero emissions, internal combustion is far from dead. EV adoption faces hurdles: infrastructure, affordability, battery replacement fears. Even with massive investment, European manufacturers compete with a flood of Chinese EVs, creating uncertainty and opportunity. In the UK, the ICE vehicle ban may now be pushed to 2040, leaving room for the aftermarket. Every exhaust, catalytic converter, and DPF we supply proves engines still matter. The internal combustion engine is evolving, but it’s far from obsolete.
EV enthusiasts are passionate and rightly so but imagine Steve McQueen powersliding through San Francisco in a Prius, or Bo and Luke Duke outrunning Roscoe in a Leaf. The romance of petrol, the vibration, the roar, remains unmatched. Like vegan alternatives to bacon, EVs often mimic what came before rather than embracing their unique identity. There’s untapped potential in making them feel truly futuristic.
Meanwhile, our industry thrives. The aftermarket evolves constantly, with DPFs, catalysts, and exhausts offering innovation and opportunity. Internal combustion may decline long-term, but its technology, creativity, and expertise remain vital.
Ultimately, cars are about imagination, passion, and connection. From the hero cars of my youth to today’s EVs, automotive technology continues to inspire. And while the road ahead may bring electrification, regulation and innovation, there will always be a place for the roar of an engine, the thrill of speed, and the artistry of a car well driven. That’s why cars still matter.
Written by Paul Newby Commercial Director EEC
