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Engineers Design Safer SUV

Posted by timothy on from the hybrid-escape-next-year dept.

vex24 writes "Engineers from the Union of Concerned Scientists have unveiled blueprints for a "safer, more fuel efficient" SUV using "off-the-shelf technology". Looks like good stuff if the big automakers decide to pay attention."

4 of 89 comments (clear)

  1. Exactly... by setzman · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Now someone just has to take the plans and use them, not just have them in concept design only. Would the oil and gas industries try to fight something like this? You betcha. If we ever got to a point where reducing gas/oil consumption here was a priority, we could not only save people financially, but reduce our need for foreign resources. But, we have corporate fiends who want to exploit people for profit, so I don't see these designs being put into use for a while.

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    C:\>
    1. Re:Exactly... by bhima · · Score: 2, Interesting
      I'm amazed at how large the US cars are. I don't think a SUV would see a great benefit to mileage as your more aerodynamic Camaro, with the smaller v6. Personally I'd really like to see the US join the rest of the civilized world's ideas of conservation and reuse. Incidentally I think your gas mileage is not that great, but then again I don't live in a county that uses their military to artificially lower their oil prices.

      Something I noticed when driving a US car: They don't roll as far when not in gear as my Skoda. Also I'm not so sure it is so common to find a manual transmission in the US as in Europe. These must have negative effects on efficiency.

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      Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.
  2. Re:One size fits none by Psion · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Um, in some places in Alaska and Canada, frozen rivers and lakes are part of the road in winter.

  3. Re:oil prices - manual trans. - full circle by drinkypoo · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Correction: People are idiots. They are also assholes. You are both if you purchase an SUV when you don't need one to clear large road obstacles. Why? Because you are ruining the world both for you now, and everyone else now and later. You are consuming more than your share of fossil fuels. In addition, SUVs are more likely to be in single-car accidents than other types of vehicles. Given that you don't drive over large obstacles, you would be much better off in a minivan, but you probably didn't want to be seen in one.

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    "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"