What if everyone drove a...
Discussion
A topic that came up in discussion on a drive recently, and makes for a fun hypothetical..
What if everyone drove a civic?
Has me wondering - If you were Comrade Commisar at the DfT and had to choose one car to manufacture and for everyone to drive (Think Soviet block and Lada
)
What would it be?
What are the benefits, what are the drawbacks?
Most of the "Standard issue" Hatchbacks make for a good choice, but given my Honda-leanings and the original question posed in the car; I'll go for the 10G 1.5L Civic..
Standard trim is well equipped, full safety suite / LKAS / Auto braking etc., reasonable performance, enough space for most things - 5 seats, kids, tools etc. could all be accommodated quite well, and a 1400Kg towing capacity to cater for lighter duty hauling.
50MPG is a nice increase from the overall average of 38.8,
130g/Km CO2 is just under the national average of 132g/KM too.
Given they were built in Swindon, there's a nice localised production line that could be used.
Would the roads be safer? - I imagine so, As above, having a (IME) good set of driver assists with all cars would be a big improvement.
Automatic lights (Which come on with wipers too, and foglights that don't come on without headlights / sidelights) would make sure that everyone is reasonably visible.
Would roads "work better"? - Probably! Consistent performance for all cars would save the "my 0.2L box-on-wheels can't get up the hill" troubles, less SUVs on the road is a bonus for national fuel reserves and decreased road wear - anyone that needs bigger will have to get a government issue van instead
The effect on driving behaviour would be interesting too - With everyone (Comrade
) being the same, I could forsee less "I've got an Audi get out of my way" behaviour and similar exuberance.
Taking it back to 2017, You could get one for £22,540 (~£25,000 today, based on BoE Inflation calculator) - If we're nationalising production, you could probably drop that to sub £20K I'd expect.
B Roads would be more entertaining; One-make race series style...
Finding your car in a carpark would be a fair bit harder...
Golfs etc. would probably come in quite expensive for an "Everyman" car now.. In the spirit of PH, I think Dacia has a good offering... What would you pitch?
Next up.. What's the modern choice for a ZiL Equivalent?
What if everyone drove a civic?
Has me wondering - If you were Comrade Commisar at the DfT and had to choose one car to manufacture and for everyone to drive (Think Soviet block and Lada
) What would it be?
What are the benefits, what are the drawbacks?
Most of the "Standard issue" Hatchbacks make for a good choice, but given my Honda-leanings and the original question posed in the car; I'll go for the 10G 1.5L Civic..
Standard trim is well equipped, full safety suite / LKAS / Auto braking etc., reasonable performance, enough space for most things - 5 seats, kids, tools etc. could all be accommodated quite well, and a 1400Kg towing capacity to cater for lighter duty hauling.
50MPG is a nice increase from the overall average of 38.8,
130g/Km CO2 is just under the national average of 132g/KM too.
Given they were built in Swindon, there's a nice localised production line that could be used.
Would the roads be safer? - I imagine so, As above, having a (IME) good set of driver assists with all cars would be a big improvement.
Automatic lights (Which come on with wipers too, and foglights that don't come on without headlights / sidelights) would make sure that everyone is reasonably visible.
Would roads "work better"? - Probably! Consistent performance for all cars would save the "my 0.2L box-on-wheels can't get up the hill" troubles, less SUVs on the road is a bonus for national fuel reserves and decreased road wear - anyone that needs bigger will have to get a government issue van instead
The effect on driving behaviour would be interesting too - With everyone (Comrade
) being the same, I could forsee less "I've got an Audi get out of my way" behaviour and similar exuberance.Taking it back to 2017, You could get one for £22,540 (~£25,000 today, based on BoE Inflation calculator) - If we're nationalising production, you could probably drop that to sub £20K I'd expect.
B Roads would be more entertaining; One-make race series style...
Finding your car in a carpark would be a fair bit harder...
Golfs etc. would probably come in quite expensive for an "Everyman" car now.. In the spirit of PH, I think Dacia has a good offering... What would you pitch?
Next up.. What's the modern choice for a ZiL Equivalent?
Panamax said:
If the rules had been that everyone must drive a petrol car of no more than 1200cc we'd never have got into all the nonsense about diesel, followed in turn by all the nonsense about electric.
1200 seems just a bit mean, however, where do you draw the line? Another argument , if cynical, is that hundreds and thousands of buyers ARE driving the same car, just with different badges, as a result of platform sharing. Well, surely it should be something made in Britain, so it would be a boost for the economy as well.
I'd suggest an Aston Martin Vantage for everyone. To make it affordable some sort of joint ownership scheme would be needed. Or not owned but on a Zipcar type scheme.
The fact that is not ideal for all purposes would reduce the mileage driven and therefore the environmental impact to offset poor fuel economy .
I'd suggest an Aston Martin Vantage for everyone. To make it affordable some sort of joint ownership scheme would be needed. Or not owned but on a Zipcar type scheme.
The fact that is not ideal for all purposes would reduce the mileage driven and therefore the environmental impact to offset poor fuel economy .
More than 95% of private vehicles in the UK could be a Toyota Corolla Estate if the powers that be so wanted (though it would be rather boring). They are built in the UK, have more than enough luggage space for a typical family, are about the most efficient on fuel of anything driven by petrol, and most would last for about 15 years and 200000 miles without going wrong.
A Ford Transit would cover the remaining 5%, either with seats in for large families, or as a van for builders, plumbers etc.
With that many Corollas on the road, it would then be possible to drive one in a city centre on a Saturday night without the risk of a drunk person just opening the door at the traffic lights and getting in the back seat thinking it was their Uber.....
This seems a rather dull solution to transport though. A better option would be to only allow something which is really difficult to drive, perhaps something from the 1920s or a Group B rally car. Then only people who were properly competent at driving would be on the roads and all the people who can't drive properly could take the bus.
A Ford Transit would cover the remaining 5%, either with seats in for large families, or as a van for builders, plumbers etc.
With that many Corollas on the road, it would then be possible to drive one in a city centre on a Saturday night without the risk of a drunk person just opening the door at the traffic lights and getting in the back seat thinking it was their Uber.....
This seems a rather dull solution to transport though. A better option would be to only allow something which is really difficult to drive, perhaps something from the 1920s or a Group B rally car. Then only people who were properly competent at driving would be on the roads and all the people who can't drive properly could take the bus.
Panamax said:
If the rules had been that everyone must drive a petrol car of no more than 1200cc we'd never have got into all the nonsense about diesel, followed in turn by all the nonsense about electric.
Plus the situation we have now where 50% of cars on the roads are SUVs and a large percentage of these are over 2 Tons.Electric cars would have worked if they were light like the new Renault 5, but the fact that a large percentage are well over 2 tonnes means they are just ridiculous.
I also think there would be a lot less road rage if everyone drove smaller cars with smaller engines.
As usual, the voice of reason in this situation is Jezza.
Whatever the choice is, it should have a great big spike sticking out of the steering wheel instead of an airbag.
This would have the twin benefits of reducing fuel consumption by having people consider whether their journey is worth the risk before setting off, and also introducing an element of natural selection to those who like to check their phones while they drive.
Just to complete the 'alternative road safety' vibe, and also for bonus Comrade points, I'd suggest bringing back the Trabant.
If someone actually wants a considered suggestion ...
Ford Focus 1.5T petrol engine from 2018-ish
Cheap. Fords always seem well equipped. Gets 50MPG. Modern enough to have most safety features. Not too modern to have too many 'safety' features. Quick enough without being quick. Enough space for the average family. Non-aspirational badge.
Whatever the choice is, it should have a great big spike sticking out of the steering wheel instead of an airbag.
This would have the twin benefits of reducing fuel consumption by having people consider whether their journey is worth the risk before setting off, and also introducing an element of natural selection to those who like to check their phones while they drive.
Just to complete the 'alternative road safety' vibe, and also for bonus Comrade points, I'd suggest bringing back the Trabant.
If someone actually wants a considered suggestion ...
Ford Focus 1.5T petrol engine from 2018-ish
Cheap. Fords always seem well equipped. Gets 50MPG. Modern enough to have most safety features. Not too modern to have too many 'safety' features. Quick enough without being quick. Enough space for the average family. Non-aspirational badge.
Stick Legs said:
The aftermarket tuning options would be astounding.
Back to the future: Daniel Richmond (Downton), Raymond Mays, Oselli, Bill Blydenstein, Jack Brabham (Vauxhall).Mini Sport, , Alexander, Holbay (Rootes Group) Carlo Abarth , Italspeed (Mangoletsi’) etc The other main point is that these small cars they converted weighed very little.Edited by Lester H on Thursday 12th December 19:03
Edited by Lester H on Friday 13th December 17:57
A civic (or similar) would be a proper pain in the arse where I live. Single track road, regular need to go up verges on into field entrances to get round other vehicles.
The road also doesn’t get cleared much in winter.
It’s got to the point now that in winter I carry a tow strap in the back of the truck so I can help out when less capable cars get stuck.
1400kg towing capacity is also quite low.
Honestly if I could tick the same boxes with something that’s nicer to drive and cheaper to run I’d have it already!
I’d imagine a civic would react badly to this sort of treatment…
This is an A road near the house at 9am on a Monday, I’d just dropped my son at nursery 7 miles away. Our road was worse but less photogenic.
I live North of Aberdeen, there are huge amounts of people living rurally that have 4x4s for reasons other than vanity.
The road also doesn’t get cleared much in winter.
It’s got to the point now that in winter I carry a tow strap in the back of the truck so I can help out when less capable cars get stuck.
1400kg towing capacity is also quite low.
Honestly if I could tick the same boxes with something that’s nicer to drive and cheaper to run I’d have it already!
I’d imagine a civic would react badly to this sort of treatment…
This is an A road near the house at 9am on a Monday, I’d just dropped my son at nursery 7 miles away. Our road was worse but less photogenic.
I live North of Aberdeen, there are huge amounts of people living rurally that have 4x4s for reasons other than vanity.
Edited by Speed addicted on Thursday 12th December 19:53
ThingsBehindTheSun said:
Panamax said:
If the rules had been that everyone must drive a petrol car of no more than 1200cc we'd never have got into all the nonsense about diesel, followed in turn by all the nonsense about electric.
Plus the situation we have now where 50% of cars on the roads are SUVs and a large percentage of these are over 2 Tons.Electric cars would have worked if they were light like the new Renault 5, but the fact that a large percentage are well over 2 tonnes means they are just ridiculous.
I also think there would be a lot less road rage if everyone drove smaller cars with smaller engines.
Clearly, the key to reducing traffic congestion is to mandate a minimum of 12 cylinders, ensuring that hardly anyone can afford the running costs, the few who can will spend more of their time in petrol stations than on the road, and there is the benefit that the few cars actually in use all look and sound gorgeous.
The Civic's an interesting choice of car. Petrolheads could drive a Type-R, long distance drivers could have a diesel, and your average joe could have anywhere from a 1.4 to a 2.0 Type-S.
It's similar to saying everybody should drive a C-class Mercedes as you can have anything from an econobox to a mile-muncher, to a warm saloon, to a C63.
I do daily a Civic and whilst it's a little thirsty on fuel (it's a Type-R and sits at 3500rpm on the motorway), aside from the suspension being a little tiring after 2 hours, it's pretty good at everything else.
It's similar to saying everybody should drive a C-class Mercedes as you can have anything from an econobox to a mile-muncher, to a warm saloon, to a C63.
I do daily a Civic and whilst it's a little thirsty on fuel (it's a Type-R and sits at 3500rpm on the motorway), aside from the suspension being a little tiring after 2 hours, it's pretty good at everything else.
skyrover said:
I would imagine a pickup or SUV type vehicle would cover the most requirements
On the whole the UK vehicle parc seems to comprise dull run of the mill 2WD SUVs.The Civic Owners Club would be massive.
Think about parts costs, cheap as chips and every garage would have common parts.
Faults - a do not drive recall could paralyse the population and economy, but equally everyone would know the common faults and how to fix them.
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