【英语趣味课堂】未来的车会变成什么样-Cars of the Future

Todd: Now, Phil, you mentioned that you actually studied automotive engineering.

 

Phil: Yeah, that's correct.

 

Todd: OK, can you explain what automotive engineering is?

 

Phil: It's basically car design and basically technology involved in cars in all aspects: the engine, the performance, the aerodynamics, so it's basically an overview¹ of all kind of car aspects for the future.

 

Todd: Cool, so you must know a lot about the cars of the future and stuff. I mean, how do you see cars in let's say twenty years, thirty years, forty years?

 

Phil: In the near future I think the big developments will be alternative fuels. At the moment petrol and diesel² engines are causing a lot of damage to the planet and we're going to eventually run out of natural resources, so I think the developments will be towards electric or hybrid³ cars.

 

Todd: Right.

 

Phil: Maybe even using fuel cells such as hydrogen.

 

Todd: Well, like how many years away do you think this is?

 

Phil: Realistically, ten to fifteen years away before we start seeing the first ones in production but before we see everyone using them, it's going to be twenty years, I would have thought, I guess.

 

Todd: Right.... Now, I once had a student who was an engineer for Chyrsler, Daimal-Chrystler, and he was saying that they already have cars that can drive without people, like you can just say your location and it'll go there. Have you heard about that?

 

Phil: I've seen the technology from a German company called Volkswagon as well. The problem with this technology - it's brilliant. It's amazing what it can do, but people's attitude is the problem. People like the sense of freedom from having a car.

 

Todd: Right.

 

Phil: And if your car is driving you then you lose that. It's like being on a train of something, so you lose that individual sense of freedom.

 

Todd: Wow, that's right. That's a good point.

 

Phil : And then, there's the infrastructure⁴.

 

Todd: Oh, so you think that basically, it'll never take off, that people will always want to drive their own cars?

 

Phil: Possibly, although maybe they could develop a system where in the inner cities the system is used, basically to help, because traffic flow and congestion⁵ is a problem.

 

Todd: Right.

 

Phil: So maybe within the cities, the system could be used, but outside the city, people would always want their freedom in the country roads - the thrill of driving, the excitement.

 

Todd: Right... Now when you watch movies, you often see cars that can fly, or cars that can go underwater like in a James Bond movie. Do you see that maybe in the future?

 

Phil: Underwater I think would be a bit pointless, and very difficult to achieve the engineering. It's possible now, but the engineering is just ridiculously hi-tech, but I don't know about the flying cars. Maybe in hundreds of years but certainly not in my lifetime and not in anyone's lifetime who's listening to this website, no.

 

Todd: All right. Thanks a lot Phil.

1 overview   

n.概观，概述

参考例句：

• The opening chapter gives a brief historical overview of transport.第一章是运输史的简要回顾。
• The seminar aims to provide an overview on new media publishing.研讨会旨在综览新兴的媒体出版。

2 diesel   

n.柴油发动机，内燃机

参考例句：

• We experimented with diesel engines to drive the pumps.我们试着用柴油机来带动水泵。
• My tractor operates on diesel oil.我的那台拖拉机用柴油开动。

3 hybrid   

n.(动，植）杂种，混合物

参考例句：

• That is a hybrid perpetual rose.那是一株杂交的四季开花的蔷薇。
• The hybrid was tall,handsome,and intelligent.那混血儿高大、英俊、又聪明。

4 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

5 congestion   

n.阻塞，消化不良

参考例句：

• The congestion in the city gets even worse during the summer.夏天城市交通阻塞尤为严重。
• Parking near the school causes severe traffic congestion.在学校附近泊车会引起严重的交通堵塞。