Engineers Design Safer SUV

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."

Comments

They've already made this product

[Syncdata]

It's called a Minivan.
The lions share of SUVs are being sold, not to Off Road, not to climb every mountain, but to hold Mother and Child as they go to the market.
This may get some traction for people who actually use 4x4's to go offroad, or the people that need the trendiest of the trendy, but the very aspect of Fuel Efficiency pretty much gaurantees it's lighter, which means it's not going to be as sturdy in an accident, and thus, won't sell to the soccer mom market.
Safer to everyone else on the road, yes. Not the inhabitants however.

Re:They've already made this product

[mellon]

This new design has pretty good features both for rollover protection and for protecting passengers in other cars on the road. You do know that most SUV deaths are passengers of SUVs, not the people they hit. SUVs are unfortunately quite dangerous vehicles to drive.

Some of the major improvements - unibody design, with crumple zones. Lower bumper, which makes rollovers less likely since it will hit the bumper of the other car, not go over the other car. Better roll cage, so when it does roll the passengers are protected. Better seat belts. Lots of good stuff. You should really read the article before commenting on it...

Re:Exactly...

[karnal]

I do agree to an extent that some SUV's are gas guzzlers... I've never actually spec'd one (I don't like them for other reasons...) but I would guess some of the lower v6 models actually get resonable gas milage...

I own a Camaro with a 350 under the hood. And while the city milage isn't the best (I average 18-20), the highway milage rocks (30mpg). And why this is relevant? Well, I feel that they could make SUV's that are gas sippers. Just like I could have bought a V6 Camaro.

So we have 2 problems. First, the automakers don't see a problem with building gas guzzlers and placing them in a "truck" category. Secondly,

*repeat after me*

People want them.

No matter what happens, until you hit someone's pocketbook hard, you will not change their spending habits. Even as gas prices have gone up, I'm sure people (myself included) have complained about prices. Still doesn't stop the twice a month fillup (maybe more for others...) And it doesn't stop the sales either. It will take a big hit to make some people realize that it may not be worth it.......

Re:Safer? For whom?

[Smidge204]

I'd design the new vehicle with a short range, directional cellphone jammer that would prevent cell phones being used from the driver's seat while the car is any gear other than 'park'!

I'd also consider some kind of IR based ranging device that would make sure the person's head is within a certain location to ensure, at least, they their head is above the level of the dashboard and roughly centered with the steering wheel. If not, a very loud and obnoxious tone will be emitted from the sound system and the cell phone jammer will block phone being used ANYWHERE in the vehicle.

Alternatively, I'd settle for a cell jammer that I can mount on my car and aim at other vehicles... just for the fun of it of nothing else. :)
=Smidge=

no problem

[jwriney]

I've got it, here's how we'll build a safer SUV. Go get a pencil, I'll wait.

We start with a ordinary huge ass gas guzzling urban assault vehicle. Lower it way down to the ground, put smaller tires on it, cut off the huge cow-catcher bumpers so it won't mangle the Pinto you just ran over, shrink the frame so it'll fit in a parking spot and save weight, and put in a smaller engine. Perfect!

I call it a "car".

--riney