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?"
I am an avid cyclist and in my experience the ONLY times I have been close to an accident have been with SUV drivers, not sports cars, not sedans, not even minivans. SUV drivers. Mostly because they are just blissfully unaware of the fact that they have significantly reduced visibility, esp. in the back and sides. However, since the SUV owners are confident that they won't get hurt in an accident they dont give a flying fuck about anyone else on the road. Fuck SUV drivers, SUVs are WMDs, plain and simple. If you have one, I think you deserve the death penalty. Get modded troll for that, but its the truth, you simply don't deserve to live.
Monstar L
I carpool to work every day, in my tiny 93 accord, and in my experience the ONLY times I have been close to an accident have been with cyclists, not sports cars, not sedans, not minivans, not even SUV drivers.
Mostly because they are just blissfully unaware of the fact that they disrupt the flow of traffic, and are impossible to pass on some roads. However, since cyclists are so damned convinced there going to be on the next tour de France, they have got to train on every major road and fuck everyone else who needs to get somewhere.
Fuck cyclists, cyclists are moving roadblocks, plain and simple. If you have one, I think you deserve the death penalty. Mod me troll for that, but its the truth, you simply don't deserve to live.
You mad
Call me selfish, but I'm not going to be the guy out there in the lightweight car. I'm not going to risk the life of my daughter "for the greater good". Sorry, but that's human nature.
That is why we need uniform standards. Fuel mileage standards will work, as will more expensive gas (which is what you do in the NL). People will generally buy the heaviest, most powerful car that is practical for them. They may not be actively shopping for the heaviest car, but that's what they get when they look for roomy and inexpensive.
In Europe, roughly half of shoppers buy the heavier diesel despite the added danger to others on the road. They aren't doing this because they want the weight, but diesel is cheaper in Europe.
W..w..W - Willy Waterloo washes Warren Wiggins who is washing Waldo Woo.
First: Jesus Christ that was meant to be funny/serious. I have friends who cycle competitively and practice on roads. Though it may not have linked to the right comment.
Second: Have you ever been stuck behind a cyclists on a curvy and hilly 2 lane road for 10 miles, with few or no spots where you have enough visibility to pass safely, and line of cars piled up behind you so far that you can't see the end of the line? Did I mention that the speed limit is 40 miles an hour, and your stuck going at best half of that. Not to mention that you can predict when the bastards that do it don't have a set pattern of when they ride the road, not to mention the pants the bright yellow pants the one guy wears are scary tight. Shit, I apologize for not passing when the road markings tell me not too, and because its just not safe.
I have no problem with many cyclists, but some of them are obnoxious as hell.
You mad
Also, we don't just commute. What if your choices are a car that can take your family of 5 or 6 somewhere or a 2 seat commuter? Not everybody can afford that, due to insurance, space/parking fees, etc.
Did you hear about that person who was killed in a Smart car the other day? It was a multiple collision accident. After the first collision the Smart driver was OK but because the car is so small and light it bounced into traffic and they got hit again which resulted in instant death because the car's safety features were used up in the first collision.