Overweight Cars

[04GT]

With all the improvements in technology with respect to plastics and alloys, why are all the new cars so ****ing heavy?

If everyone is so ****ing worried about fuel consumption, why not reduce the weight of the average car by 1000 lbs?

I think part of it is that the auto makers all want to use "common architecture" to save cost, but that makes the cars heavier because they share so many parts with the SUVs.

At least Ford is making the new Focus 60 lbs lighter to improve fuel economy. Now chop off another 500 lbs...probably would get 50 mpg.

 

[RedDaemon]

the faster the cars become the lighter the materials will just make it more dangerous

there is truth to this but this isnt the only reason why theyre heavier

the cost of lighter materials is also more expensive

 

[04GT]

Cost certainly plays a part, but economy of scale should make lighter materials cheaper if mass produced.

There's so much emphasis on entertainment, communications, and convenience features in cars too. They are putting ****ing fridgerators in cars now to keep your beverages cool...unbelievable.

 

[[Twitch]]

With all the improvements in technology with respect to plastics and alloys, why are all the new cars so ****ing heavy?

If everyone is so ****ing worried about fuel consumption, why not reduce the weight of the average car by 1000 lbs?

I think part of it is that the auto makers all want to use "common architecture" to save cost, but that makes the cars heavier because they share so many parts with the SUVs.

At least Ford is making the new Focus 60 lbs lighter to improve fuel economy. Now chop off another 500 lbs...probably would get 50 mpg.

You know what needs a diet, the GT500

 

[04GT]

You know what needs a diet, the GT500

yeah, always cracks me up to see the specs page on the Mustang specs...

V6: iron block

GT 4.6: aluminum block

GT500: iron block

 

[Mustang5L5]

Cars get heavy when you start adding rear view cameras, DVD-based Nav systems, heated 24-way power seats with air conditioning, tilting rear bench seats and on and on and on with stupid creature comforts.

 

[RedDaemon]

you mean like this maybach?

 

[bigcat]

SAFETY features, like crumple zones and other impact absorbing features that you will never see add tons of weight to the bare chassis. then add in all the "extras" that have already been mentioned, and you have a heavier car than the basic vehicle from 20 years ago.

 

[Penguin]

SAFETY features, like crumple zones and other impact absorbing features that you will never see add tons of weight to the bare chassis.

My first thought exactly. It's like back in the 70's when all the cars got new bumpers. They were huge, and weighed like 80lbs more than the bumpers they replaced.

 

[Shiroelex]

Lighter will help with the economy, but it just makes the car unsafe to drive, and it feels cheap. My friend's girlfriend drives a 91 Suzuki Swift GT, and it's soo incredibly light. It just feels very shoddy and frightening on the freeway. It does get like 45mpg though. The car has practically nothing. Manual EVERYTHING, and it has one belt. It runs alternator, waterpump, then crank. That's all that is under the hood. So simple.

 

[streetstang03]

You know what needs a diet, the GT500

no kidding

 

[StangYellow]

Mustangs short of the Mustang II... have always been in the portly 3100-3300 range. Newer cars have sound deadening material, endless computer system wires, and added bracing for collisions. Id rather have a heavy car with some structural integrity than to be caught in a Mini Cooper that would cause me to die on impact.

 

[04GT]

Anybody wanna buy a rear seat? I may have one for sale real soon...FOR CHEAP!

 

[myponyrocks]

safety, ridgitity (sp?), and ride all require not so light parts.

 

[68stang351]

Back in 1990, appearently they cared enough about weight to do away with the armrest on the console, and the remote fuel door release, which maybe only saved them a couple of pounds.

Now, you can buy a Mustang that approaches 4000 pounds (Shelby)

 

['13_ImpactBlue_GT]

My first thought exactly. It's like back in the 70's when all the cars got new bumpers. They were huge, and weighed like 80lbs more than the bumpers they replaced.

Yeah, actual METAL bumpers...not this cardboard crap we have now. Good example is my dads 1974 Cheby flareside PU, 400 small block (170hp ), big azz metal bumpers, 3 speed on the tree, vinyl seats, no air PS PB PW nothing. They bought it brand new for $1500 and their 74 VW SuperBeetle for $3000.........how times have changed.

 

[Saleen4971]

liek everybody said. airbags, crumpelk zones, computers and wiring weigh a LOT when you ahve so many of them.

if you took a base shell with no electornics or safety features, and compared it to a vehicle from the 70's you woudl be amazed at how much more rigid the cahssis is, and how much lighter it is. the safety features add a HUGE amount of weight.

emissions can always be reduced SOMEHOW. they are much less concerned about weight IMO. weight can be offset with more power, and getting good emissions with more power isnt difficult at all.