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Efficiency? Think Racing Cars, Not Hybrids

Posted by timothy on from the more-fun-that-way-too dept.

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?"

1 of 1,320 comments (clear)

  1. Re:In the US no one wants to buy light cars by Animaether · · Score: 1, Flamebait

    "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.