Driving Pleasure
Driving pleasure is the feeling of enjoyment received from driving a motor vehicle. Factors that contribute to your driving pleasure include the levels of responsiveness of the vehicle to driver manipulation of the controls. The more a vehicle obeys and in turn executes the driver’s commands, the more driving pleasure will be experienced.
From a vehicle development view, driving pleasure is defined as “the driver’s feel for vehicle manipulation under various road conditions.” Car design features that can increase a driver’s driving pleasure and their safety may oppose each other, causing engineers to find a middle road or choose between the two.
There are various factors that can affect driving pleasure, the first of which is speed. Driving at high speeds thrills certain drivers. The throttle response is important to give the driver the feeling that the car is responding to them. The easier it is to manipulate the vehicle’s motion, the greater the pleasure is that is derived from it.
The vehicle’s power can contribute to the driving pleasure, and steering response is important to help the driver feel in control. Driving on a track versus a road can be more challenging and provide more of a thrill for some drivers, whereas others are more concerned with the ride quality.
Physical comfort components like air conditioning and comfortable seating contribute to driving pleasure. The ergonomics of a vehicle’s controls can make a big difference in the comfort levels. Lastly, most drivers prefer a low level or absence of noise levels, harshness and vibration.
