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!

[FreeLitres]

Ever seen modern (Tuscan, T350 etc.) TVR pedals? They are all hinged!

[Baryonyx]

I've never found them any better than a normal accelerator pedal, to be honest. I especially prefer a 'floating' pedal for fast work up and down the box where you're blipping downshifts.

The last car I drove with a hinged accelerator was an automatic diesel Golf and it added nothing to the experience, save for taking up space in the footwell and not feeling as nice as floating pedal.

[sebhaque]

IME it makes it easier to heel-and-toe, sicne the pedal will be travelling in the same direction your foot's going as opposed to at a slight perpendicular angle from it. Probably just hearsay though with no truth behind it.

[steve2]

is it not because most are fly by wire nowadays (electronic)

[Nigel Worc's]

I find it more comfortable on long journeys where cruise control isn't suitable ..... but that's just me, and it isn't so much of an issue that I would really miss it.

[Urban Sports]

steve2 said:

is it not because most are fly by wire nowadays (electronic)

BMW have had these for years, and long before DRIVE by wire

[Urban Sports]

sebhaque said:

IME it makes it easier to heel-and-toe

Really? I find it harder to do, I suppose it depends on your technique!

Laggy throttle responses don't help these days though the sport button on my car does improve it a touch.

[Leins]

Urban Sports said:

BMW have had these for years, and long before DRIVE by wire

Yep, my E30 has one. I personally much prefer it, as I've big feet so find it more comfortable. Non-floor hinged feels a bit weird to me now after 12 years of driving nothing else

Pre-996 911s had all pedals floor-hinged too

[Zwolf]

bungle said:

Totally boring thread I know, but some cars have a hinged accelerator pedal, but most don't (in my experience)

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.

With a top-hinged pedal, I find myself moving my whole foot and leg to a degree to use the accelerator, whereas a floor-hinged one results in one position and it's merely flexing the ankle that takes the throttle through it's full range. I've yet to sample a car where all pedals are floor hinged though, but would like to at some point.

I find it especially preferable where the car has an automatic gearbox too.

[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...

[Zwolf]

bungle said:

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

Yep, floor hinged. Cable-operating six individual throttles if it was an S50 engined one, electronically so if it was an S54 version.

[Ozzie Osmond]

.... leverage ....

[jaik]

I hate to be "that guy", but all pedals are hinged, just usually at the top. Sorry.

Previously, all of my cars had "normal" hanging pedals, then I got the E36 with a floor-hinged accelerator and the kit car where all three are floor-hinged. I found heel and toeing was pretty difficult in the BMW at first, but after changing my technique a little to more of a sideways roll than a twist it's fine. It really makes very little difference where the hinge is IMO.

[moreflaps]

Good for unhinged drivers?

Cheers

[bakerstreet]

My last two company Golfs had floor hinged pedals and I also found them more comfortable on long journeys. Saab has the floating pedal. I soon got used to it, but Saab also has cruise control which is really nice on the motorway. I used it practically every day

I believe F1 pedals are floor hinged, so there must be some superior benefits.

[FoundOnRoadside]

Higher-spec Octavias have them, too. Can't say I find there to be much difference.

[ean21]

My 964 has all 3 pedals hinged on the floor. I find it much easier for heel & toe than top-hinged pedals.

[ean21]

My 964 has all 3 pedals hinged on the floor. I find it much easier for heel & toe than top-hinged pedals.

[jimbobs]

I've always assumed it was a German thing as every German car I've driven has got them...