Slashdot Mirror
Efficiency? Think Racing Cars, Not Hybrids
Gordonjcp writes "A renowned racing car designer has said that car manufacturers should be looking at making cars lighter to improve efficiency, rather than adding complex drive trains. In this article on the BBC News website, Professor Gordon Murray explains that a weight saving of 10% in a normal car would make more difference than switching to a hybrid engine and motor combination. Could this be the next nail in the SUV's coffin?"
"Because it is impossible for a partial blowout of a tire to force a 5000lb SUV into a 1900lb compact?"
Not at all - but when the person purchased that 5000lb SUV, did they realize the impact this would have - on them and potentially others - should they have such a tire blowout? I'd imagine they should be, so why shouldn't they be held to a higher standard?
In NL all cars are required by law to get regular checkups, all trucks (by this I mean semis / 18 wheelers / whatever you want to call them) are required to get them more often, and more thoroughly, exactly because of the much greater danger such a truck (trailer or not) poses to the rest of the traffic should something go wrong.
OTOH, small "economy cars" are deathtraps no matter how you slice it.
This is why no one is likely to listen to this guy when he says "make it lighter".
There's more to it than that.
A Pirate and a Puritan look the same on a balance sheet.
How's that Fiero work out for carpooling?
Would you be willing to crash test it vs a Suburban?
Where do you put your children?
"Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives" should be a convenience store, not a government agency.