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> Individual car weight has diminished enormously during the last 50 years Actually quite the reverse. Individual car weight has increased enormously. The Mk1

> Individual car weight has diminished enormously during the last 50 years Actually quite the reverse. Individual car weight has increased enormously. The Mk1 Volkswagen Golf (1974) weighed 790-970kg. The current Mk7 weighs 1351-1395kg. An F Type Jag is 200kg heavier than an E Type. Cars have been increasing in size such that a "Mini" is anything but (try parking one next to the original Issigonis Mini). They contain a vast range of electrical toys like aircon, ABS, airbags that add a lot of weight, and structural features like crumple zones, catalytic converters and so on. Some is the result of mandated emissions and crash regs, a lot is a result of feature-itis from the manufacturers. That's quite apart from the trend of people choosing ever larger models, and SUVs over saloons and hatchbacks. That fashion just exacerbates the issue.

kragen 8y ago
Hmm, is that really true? Or is it a matter of those particular makes moving upmarket? As you say, if we take into account the shift to SUVs (arguably a reaction to their effective exemption from CAFE standards in the US) cars have gotten heavier — but is the same size of car really heavier now than 40 years ago? You've got me doubting, but I don't know where to get good data on dimensions of different car models over the years. I'd think that the modern equivalent to a 1974 Volkswagen wouldn't be a 2018 Volkswagen, though, but something like a Chery or Daewoo.
- oldcynic 8y ago
  Hard to be sure, but the Golf is occupying the same niche, small hatchback, that it was 40 years ago. Half a tonne of extra weight is hard to explain easily though. Wikipedia shows basic dimensions, but doesn't really explain where the weight went. But it's all cars, in all categories, getting bigger and heavier and almost becoming the next model up. There's nothing in what used to be small any more. A BMW 1 series is bigger than the old 3. Today even downmarket brands like Kia and Daewoo don't have 70s and 80s era lack of equipment - everything comes with air bags, electric windows, ABS, GPS and so on. You used to buy a car and get a heater, maybe a radio. Pay extra for electric windows, sometimes even for mirrors and fog lights. That and more legroom doesn't explain hundreds of kilos and half tonne gains in cars of all types. I think the rest must be structural for crash resistance. Side impact protection needing thicker heavier doors, etc. Random find: https://www.carthrottle.com/post/10-images-that-show-just-how-fat-cars-have-become/ https://www.carthrottle.com/post/10-images-that-show-just-ho... Comparing current and Mk1 Golf GTI's: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/volkswagen/golf/87232/long-term-test-review-volkswagen-golf-gti-pictures http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/volkswagen/golf/87232/long-term... Amazing even the premium GTI had no power steering and no electric windows in the mk1.

kragen 8y ago

Hmm, is that really true? Or is it a matter of those particular makes moving upmarket? As you say, if we take into account the shift to SUVs (arguably a reaction to their effective exemption from CAFE standards in the US) cars have gotten heavier — but is the same size of car really heavier now than 40 years ago? You've got me doubting, but I don't know where to get good data on dimensions of different car models over the years. I'd think that the modern equivalent to a 1974 Volkswagen wouldn't be a 2018 Volkswagen, though, but something like a Chery or Daewoo.

oldcynic 8y ago
Hard to be sure, but the Golf is occupying the same niche, small hatchback, that it was 40 years ago. Half a tonne of extra weight is hard to explain easily though. Wikipedia shows basic dimensions, but doesn't really explain where the weight went. But it's all cars, in all categories, getting bigger and heavier and almost becoming the next model up. There's nothing in what used to be small any more. A BMW 1 series is bigger than the old 3. Today even downmarket brands like Kia and Daewoo don't have 70s and 80s era lack of equipment - everything comes with air bags, electric windows, ABS, GPS and so on. You used to buy a car and get a heater, maybe a radio. Pay extra for electric windows, sometimes even for mirrors and fog lights. That and more legroom doesn't explain hundreds of kilos and half tonne gains in cars of all types. I think the rest must be structural for crash resistance. Side impact protection needing thicker heavier doors, etc. Random find: https://www.carthrottle.com/post/10-images-that-show-just-how-fat-cars-have-become/ https://www.carthrottle.com/post/10-images-that-show-just-ho... Comparing current and Mk1 Golf GTI's: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/volkswagen/golf/87232/long-term-test-review-volkswagen-golf-gti-pictures http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/volkswagen/golf/87232/long-term... Amazing even the premium GTI had no power steering and no electric windows in the mk1.