Why do some cars have a hinged accelerator pedal?

[bungle]

Totally boring thread I know, but some cars (such as our mk5 Golf GTi) have a hinged accelerator pedal, but most don't (in my experience). Why so some cars have them and others not? What determines whether they do/don't? Is there some inherent benefit I'm not appreciating?

Sorry, dull I know, just interested!

[bungle]

Interesting comments

Zwolf said:

You need to drive more BMWs in that case. I can't think of one built that doesn't have a floor-hinged throttle pedal. Likewise 911s and prior to 996s, all the pedals were floor hinged, as are the majority of racing cars.

I obviously live a sheltered life! Recent years' experience is only our current GTi that I can remember as floor-hinged. Had a Z3M (breadvan) a few yrs ago, but can't remember the pedal arrangement now, I guess from what you say it must have been floor-hinged - memory is fading in old age...