Comments | shinuhana: Technology increases pep and size, not mileage

shinuhana

Technology increases pep and size, not mileage

Apr 12, 2006 14:43

Here is an interesting article as an add-on to the discussion Kit and I were having in my last post. Car makers are using technology to increase vehicle size and acceleration, but not mileage.
The NYTimes article direct link
Best quote:
If 2005 model vehicles, with their better technology, had the ( Read more... )

Comments 4

originalkitsune April 12 2006, 20:31:29 UTC

I realize this is just experimental, but the technology does exist.
It would require engineers a few years to make it "perfect" for consumers.

http://www.i4u.com/article5165.html

shinuhana April 12 2006, 20:45:56 UTC

20 hp is super low and I don't think provides enough accelleration oomph to get you out of stick situtations or to pull out into crowded traffic. It takes 20 secs to get to 0 to 100 kph. The GT 50 hp is pretty reasonable, matching that of a large SUV for accelleration. I worry about the ultra light weight design - can the vehicle pass US safety inspection? If the weight is so light, how is the milage for a car with 4 passengers, which may nearly double the weight of the car. How is the accelleration of a full car? I think passengers will affect it greatly since the largest gain on mileage is from the weight reduction. With maybe just the driver it gets over 90 mpg, which is quite impressive.

shinuhana April 12 2006, 20:50:33 UTC

Actually, I guess it is quite safe, but for one crash only. Given that is it molded single pieces, it would be a fortune to replace if anything would happen... mind as well buy a new car. Then again, modern cars are going more and more in that direction. Even bumpers aren't really bumpers anymore and you have to replace the whole rear end when you get rear ended. Where as I have been rear ended several times in my old accord and nothing has happened. Not a very attractive bumper, but it is a bumper, not the car.

originalkitsune April 12 2006, 21:59:09 UTC

yeah i think the concept needs work too! It's a fugly car IMHO. It will have little appeal to the U.S. market as it stands, but it's a step in the right direction. I KNOW engineers can design things more efficiently. It just hasn't been done yet.

I am also hearing people are working on car coatings that are resistant to dings and such. I wonder if such technology can be extended to more serious impacts.