So, cars that have got smaller
Discussion
Are there any?
What I mean is, look at a BMW 3 Series e30, then e36, 46 and 90. They've all got bigger and heavier.
Same with Golfs, Ford Focus, Discovery.
The only car I can really think that got lighter was the x358 Jaguar XJ when it replaced the x308 model. But that was due to materials and it was still actually bigger and bulkier.
So is there any good mainstream examples of where a new model (not just face lift) has actually gotten smaller?
BTW - smaller also means lighter, e.g. a MK1 Golf GTI was well under 1000kg iirc, while the current Golf-R seems to weigh in at around 1520kg!
What I mean is, look at a BMW 3 Series e30, then e36, 46 and 90. They've all got bigger and heavier.
Same with Golfs, Ford Focus, Discovery.
The only car I can really think that got lighter was the x358 Jaguar XJ when it replaced the x308 model. But that was due to materials and it was still actually bigger and bulkier.
So is there any good mainstream examples of where a new model (not just face lift) has actually gotten smaller?
BTW - smaller also means lighter, e.g. a MK1 Golf GTI was well under 1000kg iirc, while the current Golf-R seems to weigh in at around 1520kg!
Edited by 300bhp/ton on Friday 24th September 08:15
While cars of a certain models have got bigger over time i.e 3 series, most manufacturers have bought in smaller models which appears to take the place ofthe growing cars place. For example if it was something 'similar' to a MK1 Golf you wanted(I use the term loosely) then maybe what you actually want is a Polo. Closest thing to an E30 3 series is perhaps a 1 series coupe maybe....
I agree with you though, I saw an e90 3 series next to an e34 5 series on the motorway and from the rear the e90 actually looked bulkier than the e34!
I agree with you though, I saw an e90 3 series next to an e34 5 series on the motorway and from the rear the e90 actually looked bulkier than the e34!
The MX5 has managed the middle-aged spread quite well IMO - from 940kg in basic 1989 trim to 1129kg for the current model - its heavier, but by a smaller proportion than most. The Elise in comparison has gone from around 700kg to pushing a ton.
Edited by GravelBen on Friday 24th September 08:50
sleep envy said:
Hopefully manufacturers will start to spend more money on material engineering rather than making token efforts with plastic wings and aluminum bonnets
Also, and I know it's tantamount to heresy round here, but stop spending the cash chasing power figures to wow the public.Think the new Fiesta is lighter than old (same as Mazda2).
speedmachine said:
I agree with you though, I saw an e90 3 series next to an e34 5 series on the motorway and from the rear the e90 actually looked bulkier than the e34!
i'd guess its probably bigger in terms of dimensions and i wouldn't be surprised if its heavier too. The e46 coupe is the same size a four door holden family sedan, it just goes on and on. GravelBen said:
The MX5 has managed the middle-aged spread quite well IMO - from 940kg in basic 1989 trim to 1129kg for the current model - its heavier, but by a smaller proportion than most. The Elise in comparison has gone from around 700kg to pushing a ton.
Aren't Mks 2 & 3 same weights, the weight increase being from 1 to 2.Edited by GravelBen on Friday 24th September 08:50
Bonefish Blues said:
GravelBen said:
The MX5 has managed the middle-aged spread quite well IMO - from 940kg in basic 1989 trim to 1129kg for the current model - its heavier, but by a smaller proportion than most. The Elise in comparison has gone from around 700kg to pushing a ton.
Aren't Mks 2 & 3 same weights, the weight increase being from 1 to 2.Edited by GravelBen on Friday 24th September 08:50
The early 1.6 MK1 is the lightest, the MK1 with the 1.8 and extra bracing weighs more. A fully loaded one more so. The MK2 was very similar, but it wouldn't surprise me if again fully loaded it wasn't a bit heavier, although a more base spec could well have been similar with the 1.8 MK1.
For sure, cars are getting bigger and bigger (and people are getting more obese...) and generally heavier.
Car companies then start to introduce a smaller model range as the supermini becomes a hypermini- so instead of a Golf being the smallest car in the range, you now have a Lupo/Fox, then a Polo (same size as previous Golf) then the Golf.
Problem is, parking spaces are not getting any bigger!
I agree that more could be done to reduce wieght through thoughtful material engineering, but part of the reason cars are so big and heavy these days is because of passenger and pedestrian safety. Look how huge and ugly the fronts of most cars are these days. It's something that annoys me! I'd love a really lightweight car for hoons- you then don't need huge levels of power to propel yourself along at an indecent rate!
Car companies then start to introduce a smaller model range as the supermini becomes a hypermini- so instead of a Golf being the smallest car in the range, you now have a Lupo/Fox, then a Polo (same size as previous Golf) then the Golf.
Problem is, parking spaces are not getting any bigger!
I agree that more could be done to reduce wieght through thoughtful material engineering, but part of the reason cars are so big and heavy these days is because of passenger and pedestrian safety. Look how huge and ugly the fronts of most cars are these days. It's something that annoys me! I'd love a really lightweight car for hoons- you then don't need huge levels of power to propel yourself along at an indecent rate!
musclecarmad said:
come on 300bhp/ton, this is your area mate!!
what about all the yank muscle etc
what about all the yank muscle etc
Not sure I follow? They have been getting heavier too.
Fox Stang lighter than sn95, which is lighter than 05 S197, which is lighter than MY2011 s197.
93-97 4th Gen Fbody lighter than 98-02 4th Gen and vastly lighter than the new 5th Gen
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