The phrase "Less is more" has had quite the history.
It found its way from poetry into architecture, then industrial and product design, art, technology and eventually even lifestyle. Along the way, people like Ludwig Mies van der Rohe turned it into an architectural philosophy, while Steve Jobs and Jony Ive brought a very similar idea into the world of technology and product design through Apple.
And I feel today, it has found its resurgence again, through Engineering and Automotive.
Where is this thought coming from, you ask?
You see, after writing about some new car launches, some articles appreciating design, and some hateful bashing of newer technology (cough EV cough), and overall about automobiles for a bit now, I spotted this trend. Sure, the latest launch by Mercedes also helped, but that's besides the point.
There seems to be an appreciation for cars that are stripped down to the bare in every aspect possible. Weight, Technology, Comfort, and even more so, unfortunately... Production numbers.
Sure, one can argue that EVs also follow the same philosophy. That they just have fewer components, basically a motor, controller, and a battery, compared to an ICE vehicle! And they will be right in stating that. But, there's a bigger challenge that EVs are facing, a pretty tough one too I must say: emotion. Or severe lack of it.
So, how exactly is Less Is More coming back to the spotlight?
Less Availability, More Exclusivity.
This one's the most obvious and the most famous way. Pioneered by Ferrari and now, it seems, every other brand is following suit. The manufacturers are turning scarcity into an art form. Who's to blame? Manufacturers? I beg to differ. As long as there are people willing to splurge on exclusivity, why hold back?!
Less Technology, More Feel.
This is my favourite one. No infotainment, comfort massage seats, rear seats altogether, air suspension, and the likes. I am in no way, shape or form saying that the technology is primitive. I am just stating that the technology, instead of catering for comfort is here being skewed towards more 'feel'.
Less Weight, More Performance.
Sure, this is somewhat similar to, more like a cousin, of the point above. Strip the car down to bare bones, slap a big wing, and voila, you have a 'special' car. Sure, there's more to it in terms of engineering than meets the eye. Prime examples of this? The Porsche GT3 RS, Lamborghini Huracán STO and Ferrari 296 Speciale all take the same basic philosophy in different directions: lose weight, gain performance and, more importantly, gain involvement.
Less Practicality, More Purpose.
None of the cars mentioned above match their more conventional models in terms of being an everyday car. And they are not supposed to either. That's what makes them so... "exciting." All of it relates to the Mercedes that launched yesterday.
Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung.
Stripped-out rear seats, minimal sound insulation, ditched all-wheel drive, carbon fibre everywhere, and even some special glass and battery. Limited to just 30 units, all of them sold out.
Oh, it has a V8. And that, I believe, is the only aspect where Less Is More does not work out. Engine Displacement and cylinders.
Now, of course there is a slightly sad irony to all this as a car enthusiast. You see, we all grow up with a dream to one day own a machine that is raw, unfiltered, and emotionally engaging. To press hard on the throttle, watch the RPMs build up, hear the engine slowly come alive, press the clutch, slam through the gears and leave with the feeling of being one with the machine.
While the manufacturers, some if not all, are backtracking and working towards this "feeling", this "feeling" itself has found itself in the "exclusive" store.