First there were the light econoboxes (Mazda2 / Yaris), then the light sport compacts (Toyobaru/ND Miata) and now...a lighter family wagon? From Subaru, builder of streel-legal APCs?
http://www.wired.com/autopia/2012/05/review-subaru-impreza/
Maybe materials science is finally outrunning the safety regs.
R&T did some datamining of their road test summaries for their 40th or 50th anniversary issue a few years back. One of the things they plotted was weight and size. Interestingly, it looks like the average car wasn't really getting heavier, but it was getting denser. Of course there are outliers such as Sprites and Maybachs, but it was less of a change than you'd think.
They also plotted various performance metrics, and the one that was consistently improving was stopping distance IIRC. They also laid out the evolution of the Porsche 911 and extrapolated that for the future. I wish I still had the issue, there was some interesting stuff.
What's happening right now is that light weight is starting to become a selling point.
Keith wrote: They also plotted various performance metrics, and the one that was consistently improving was stopping distance IIRC.
I'd guess that had a lot to do with tires. They really have improved dramatically. At least it seems so to me.
If They can keep the WRX under 3100 then I will be pretty impressed. I kind of doubt that but hey I might be surprised.
Tires, disc brakes, pad compounds and better proportioning in my opinion. When's the last time you really had to worry about brake fade on the street?
Keith wrote: Tires, disc brakes, pad compounds and better proportioning in my opinion. When's the last time you really had to worry about brake fade on the street?
Playing in the Hocking Hills area... 
Fuel consumption is THE big mainstream issue now. Lighter uses less gas. And there was much rejoicing.
Keith wrote: Tires, disc brakes, pad compounds and better proportioning in my opinion. When's the last time you really had to worry about brake fade on the street?
ABS software is a big factor too. The 90s Viper consistently lost brake comparisons against competitor cars, and the cited reason was frequently the lack of ABS on it.
GameboyRMH wrote: First there were the light econoboxes (Mazda2 / Yaris), then the light sport compacts (Toyobaru/ND Miata) and now...a lighter family wagon? From Subaru, builder of streel-legal APCs? http://www.wired.com/autopia/2012/05/review-subaru-impreza/ Maybe materials science is finally outrunning the safety regs.
Intended consequence of the CAFE rules.
Light cars are selling thanks to high costs of fuel. But the much bigger movement for fuel economy- weight, engine, trans, aero, and tire technolgy- are the new rules for both the EU and the US.
And you guys hate regulations...
Fuel prices is the driver, just like it's always been. People seem to forget the 1960s and early 70s and all the 2-ton monster sedans driving around. Then gas got $$ and everyone bought little Hondas.....it's all cyclical.
Also, Subaru has for years used high-tensile steel in parts of the upper chassis to keep weight down as much as possible.
In the late 70s, "downsizing" was the new term in cars. Every new model was getting smaller. In the 90's they started growing again. Now in the 10's it downsizing without using that term. Smaller can be better if applied correctly.
GameboyRMH wrote: Maybe materials science is finally outrunning the safety regs.
I am waiting for the ads for the new 32 passenger Sport BUV "0-60 in 5 seconds flat and rear cargo fold down seating!". berkeleying 40' pusher bus with a carbon/carbon weave chassis.
Nothing ever gets lighter - it just gets more capacity. This 'murica.
this is all very true. The big barges were always very heavy. It is just that small cars are getting heavy too that bothers me. I hope we are finally seeing a reversal.. maybe we might even see less SUVs on the road too?
You racecar nutballs notwithstanding, most Americans equate quality and safety with large, heavy vehicles. It's why you see soccer moms in Suburbans and minivans.
I do very much approve of the interest in lighter vehicles, even if (some of them) stay large.
Physics says large heavy cars are safer. It also says small light weight cars are more fun.
mad_machine wrote: this is all very true. The big barges were always very heavy. It is just that small cars are getting heavy too that bothers me. I hope we are finally seeing a reversal.. maybe we might even see less SUVs on the road too?
remember all those huge tanks from the early to mid 60's- the Impalas and what not? a loaded one was right around 3800 pounds or so, with most of them coming in around 3500 pounds. those average weight crept up as they got into the 70's and more stuff was added to the cars for safety regs and what not.
fast forward 45 years.. an average Impala weighs about 3500 pounds, with loaded models coming in at 3800 or so pounds.. but they are physically smaller, quicker and more nimble, and get twice as many miles out of each gallon of gas..
given all that, i will never understand why a new Camaro needs to weigh 4000 pounds..
jrg77 wrote: Physics says large heavy cars are safer. It also says small light weight cars are more fun.
Physics also says that small cars can change directions and stop more quickly, making them less likely to be in an accident.
I'm guessing 95% of new car buyers have no idea what a car weighs.
I was watching one of these scariest police chases shows once and the host guy was like, "In a situation like this a police cruiser isn't just a car, it's a ONE TON WEAPON!" And then they showed a Crown Vic ram a Plymouth Breeze or something.
ShadowSix wrote: I'm guessing 95% of new car buyers have no idea what a car weighs. I was watching one of these scariest police chases shows once and the host guy was like, "In a situation like this a police cruiser isn't just a car, it's a ONE TON WEAPON!" And then they showed a Crown Vic ram a Plymouth Breeze or something.
the other ton is just a car.
Keith wrote:jrg77 wrote: Physics says large heavy cars are safer. It also says small light weight cars are more fun.Physics also says that small cars can change directions and stop more quickly, making them less likely to be in an accident.
yes.. but the insurance institute says that driver training has nothing to do with accident avoidance
alfadriver wrote: And you guys hate regulations...
Hahaha exactly what I was thinking!
never said I hated them... I think 99% of all drivers need some sort of dyanamic vehicle control.. and I like breathing clean air
ShadowSix wrote: I'm guessing 95% of new car buyers have no idea what a car weighs. I was watching one of these scariest police chases shows once and the host guy was like, "In a situation like this a police cruiser isn't just a car, it's a ONE TON WEAPON!" And then they showed a Crown Vic ram a Plymouth Breeze or something.
I wish my stripped out track car was only a ton.
more than likely people would be shocked if they knew exactly how much their cars weighed
mad_machine wrote:Keith wrote:yes.. but the insurance institute says that driver training has nothing to do with accident avoidancejrg77 wrote: Physics says large heavy cars are safer. It also says small light weight cars are more fun.Physics also says that small cars can change directions and stop more quickly, making them less likely to be in an accident.
Yes...but if I'm facing an accident, I'm not asking the insurance institute to do the driving for me. And I'd rather be in something nimble than a tank. That's just me. I've always found the best way to survive an accident is to not be in it.
Most of my coworkers have a pretty good idea of what cars weigh, but when I mentioned the 7700 lb curb weight for my Dodge pickup there was a long pause.
You'll need to log in to post.
