Is car packaging inefficient?
Discussion
[apologies, beer etc.]
Cars are now bigger than ever yet usable cabin/luggage space doesn't seem to be in step. I get that much of this is down to crash survivability, but it also seems like there is a load of apparently wasted space.
Once upon a time the interior of your boot closely resembled the bodywork around it, then it was lightly lined, but now significant amounts just seem to be inaccessible and wasted. Is it all there as 'crash structure' and not permitted to be filled with house bricks just in case? Stuff like that and the ridiculous voids between the engine and the front bumper are just plain irritating, so I'd be happy to hear if there's a good reason for it.
With the new cars I've been looking at there is certainly a cost with massive wheels, more elaborate rear suspension arrangements and hybrid gubbins over smaller wheels, torsion beam and a basic engine. It grates to see something ~15cm wider and ~50cm longer than my current car for no obvious space benefit.
Cars are now bigger than ever yet usable cabin/luggage space doesn't seem to be in step. I get that much of this is down to crash survivability, but it also seems like there is a load of apparently wasted space.
Once upon a time the interior of your boot closely resembled the bodywork around it, then it was lightly lined, but now significant amounts just seem to be inaccessible and wasted. Is it all there as 'crash structure' and not permitted to be filled with house bricks just in case? Stuff like that and the ridiculous voids between the engine and the front bumper are just plain irritating, so I'd be happy to hear if there's a good reason for it.
With the new cars I've been looking at there is certainly a cost with massive wheels, more elaborate rear suspension arrangements and hybrid gubbins over smaller wheels, torsion beam and a basic engine. It grates to see something ~15cm wider and ~50cm longer than my current car for no obvious space benefit.
Thanks all, Gourockian in particular. I'll rest easy knowing people are at least trying. Design and manufacturing practicality is an obvious factor I left off my list, even if it's heading towards wasteful.
And yes, it's not a criticism levelled at all cars. At first glance the SUV types come across worse to me, but to some extent that's the nature of the beast.
Ps. Sorry about the thread title, I didn't mean to be one of those teasing w
kers. I've asked for it be corrected.
Pps. Thanks to whoever fixed the title.
And yes, it's not a criticism levelled at all cars. At first glance the SUV types come across worse to me, but to some extent that's the nature of the beast.
Ps. Sorry about the thread title, I didn't mean to be one of those teasing w
kers. I've asked for it be corrected.Pps. Thanks to whoever fixed the title.
Edited by TheInternet on Sunday 25th February 07:08
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