Joseph Denklau

Senior Kayvon Rezaei poses with his Volvo after handwashing it. He initially thought washing cars was a daunting task but soon found enjoyment in the activity. “I’ve never hand-washed my car before so this was a new experience,” Rezaei said, “I never thought about cleaning things such as the exhaust pipes or the wheels.”

The car glides down the road; the engine purrs quietly. The speaker system is blasting a song. The driver, senior Kayvon Rezaei, drifts into the parking lot, never hesitating, the car’s smooth movements providing him peace of mind. In a sea of beaten up sports cars, lifted Jeeps, and modified exhausts, this large gray sedan sits with poise. Rezaei steps out of the car, snatches his bags out of the backseat and hurries inside to beat the school bell, just as the rain starts to fall.

The 2020 Volvo S60 T5 Momentum is a luxury sedan capable of reaching 60 miles per hour in just over six seconds. It has a top speed of 131 mph powered by a 250 horsepower four-cylinder turbocharged engine. Managing 25 miles per gallon, the car is equipped with standard safety features and an AWD 8-Speed Automatic transmission. 

“My love for cars started in second or third grade. Although my parents didn’t really share my interest, they always supported me as most parents do with their kids’ little obsessions,” Rezaei said. “They always let me explore my interest even though they might not have been expecting it to sustain itself throughout and into my adolescence.”

While Rezaei cannot recall what began his love for automobiles, his passion has not waned. Rezaei’s love for cars translates in his relationships with his friends, often spending his free time driving  through the hills of Missouri, and never passing up an opportunity to view new supercars at various car dealerships. His parents supported him by letting him explore cars in parking lots, stopping at car meets and always encouraging him to talk about the cars he saw driving on the streets. 

“One of my favorite memories is visiting the BMW dealership when I was younger,” Rezaei said. “They have such nice vehicles and being able to sit in the cars really made me happy. It was always a special experience when my parents took me to the dealership. The BMWs are all very different and there was always a new car to explore.”

Rezaei believes that all cars have a unique aspect and appreciating these differences is what ultimately makes cars exciting. Although he appreciates all types of cars and his Volvo is meaningful to him, there is one major flaw: the engine. Volvo offers most of its cars in electric form, however gas powered cars are limited to variations of the four-cylinder. The most powerful cars Volvo offers come in plug-in-hybrid form putting out 412 horsepower. But Rezaei’s Volvo only offers 250 horsepower even though there is an added supercharger to boost acceleration. 

“I wish car companies didn’t opt for four-cylinder engines.” Rezaei said. “The engines feel generic and oftentimes lack the adrenaline-producing emotions [of] larger engines such as V-6’s or even the powerful V-8 engines. Even if my car is turbocharged, which aids acceleration, the character of the engine is something I think car companies must emphasize.” 

Performance vehicles can impress, even when the engine is replaced by a battery pack.  Electric vehicles such as models from Tesla can go 0-60 in less than 2 seconds but it is due to the immediate response of power from the electric battery. But there is less noise when pressing down on the accelerator, in the Tesla the sound is only 33 decibels as measured by Car and Driver Magazine. Compared to the average 70 decibels an individual hears inside a gas car at 70mph, the noise feedback from accelerating is significantly reduced.  

“I just do not feel the same about driving an electric car as I do a gas powered-car,” Rezaei said. “The feeling of driving is removed when you don’t experience the sounds of an engine roaring as you stomp on the gas.”

Several car manufacturers that traditionally produce fuel hungry engines such as Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar Land Rover, Audi and BMW, have promised to switch to all electric vehicles in the next ten years. The transition will eliminate a huge market revolving around engine upgrades and performance enhancements by private companies. 

“The idea for modifications on a car revolves around the engine,” Rezaei said. “When the engine is removed, the possibilities for modifications are taken away. Even though the power may be increased, and car companies may continue to offer personalization services to buyers, it will take a lot for it to ever feel the same. I am sad to see so many great car companies feel pressured to switch to electric, when other alternatives do exist. Environmental concerns aside, sometimes a car simply is not meant to be electric. A Ferrari just makes no sense to me as a hybrid or electric car and it never will unfortunately.”

Car manufacturers are switching from prioritizing driver engagement through performance engines to focusing on producing clean emissions vehicles. Many companies have tried new technologies in order to satisfy the driver including simulating engine noises through the stereo systems. Other companies, such as Tesla, have managed to produce cars that are both luxurious and environmentally friendly, but that do not sacrifice on performance, with their top of the line Model S Plaid accelerating the electric vehicle to 60mph in less than 2 seconds.

“It is in the best interest of car companies to offer cars that are both engaging to drive and beneficial for the environment. The new synthetic and clean gasoline that Porsche is developing interests me tremendously,” Rezaei said. “While overall having almost identical lifetime emissions as electric cars, this new synthetic fuel supposedly will work on any car out on the market today, which is a significant contribution to clean energy while also tackling the fact that the overwhelming majority of cars on the road nowadays are gas powered. Solutions like this make me optimistic for the automotive future.”

Whatever path the automotive industry takes, whether it be completely electric cars or environmentally-friendly fuel, Rezaei shared that his Volvo will always be important to him because it was his first car.

“No matter how the future of automobiles turns out, no matter the car, no matter the time or any other factor, the Volvo will always have a special place in my heart. It is more than just a car, it has my tennis bag as well as a cabin full of memories,” Rezaei said.