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We ended up with this because SUVs and Trucks had reduced fuel efficiency requirements. When we have fuel efficiency requirements (mandated by aerodynamics[0,1]
by judge2020 3y ago
We ended up with this because SUVs and Trucks had reduced fuel efficiency requirements. When we have fuel efficiency requirements (mandated by aerodynamics[0,1]), SUVs bring their fronts down and curve them, improving pedestrian safety since more of the force comes from the hood instead of from hitting the ground.
0: https://airshaper.com/validation/tesla-model-y-wind-tunnel-test#Physical%20Wind%20Tunnel%20Setup%20%E2%9A%99:~:text=The%20Tesla%20Model%20Y%20in%20the%20S2A%20Wind%20Tunnel https://airshaper.com/validation/tesla-model-y-wind-tunnel-t...
1: https://www.kia.com/us/en/ev6/gallery.exterior https://www.kia.com/us/en/ev6/gallery.exterior
- nickff 3y agoHigher hood-lines are often used to provide crumple zones pedestrian impacts, as required in some jurisdictions.
- kube-system 3y agoOn some global-market cars that had previously very low hoods, yes. But it's not why US market SUVs have high hoods.
- xbar 3y agoRidiculous. No jurisdiction requires > 40 inches (100cm) hoodlines.
- Sohcahtoa82 3y agoThis makes absolutely no sense at all and flies in the face of all the statistics pointed out in the article. Lower hood-lines save lives. You don't need a tall crumple zone.
- nickff 3y agoI agree, but those rules require a crumple zone under the hood (basically between the hood line and top of engine). I didn’t write the rules, and I don’t enforce them.
- seadan83 3y agoCrumple zone and soft tissue do not really seem to go together. When a car hits a person, the person _is_ the crumple zone.
- deleted 3y ago[deleted]
- NewJazz 3y agoWe ended up with confusing fuel efficiency requirements because we failed to tax fuel appropriately. I mean for gosh sakes, fuel taxes only pay for a portion of road costs! We spend additional subsidies on top of that.