The weight of today's cars !!
#31
Lexus Fanatic
#32
Lexus Fanatic
#33
Lexus Fanatic
#34
Lexus Fanatic
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
One thing, of course, that helps the Shelby in the weight department is that it tosses the simple but heavy live-rear-axle assembly of lesser Mustangs for a lighter/more sophisticated IRS (independent rear suspension)....Ford's apparant reasoning being that the live-axle is heavy but durable and more resistant to damage and wear from constant burnouts and drop-clutch launches. Shelby drivers are presumed, having spent a lot more for their cars, to be a little more mature and caring of their cars than the typical Friday night drag-race crowd. Of course, that doesn't necessarily explain just why the Shelby dropped 100 lbs. from just last year, since last year also had an IRS....other factors also seem to be at work
#35
Lexus Fanatic
#36
Lexus Fanatic
#37
Lexus Fanatic
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
That's if they don't make weight-compensation by decontenting it in other areas. But I agree with you...that is not likely. Few people want to pay more money for less car.
#38
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (3)
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
One thing, of course, that helps the Shelby in the weight department is that it tosses the simple but heavy live-rear-axle assembly of lesser Mustangs for a lighter/more sophisticated IRS (independent rear suspension)....Ford's apparant reasoning being that the live-axle is heavy but durable and more resistant to damage and wear from constant burnouts and drop-clutch launches. Shelby drivers are presumed, having spent a lot more for their cars, to be a little more mature and caring of their cars than the typical Friday night drag-race crowd. Of course, that doesn't necessarily explain just why the Shelby dropped 100 lbs. from just last year, since last year also had an IRS....other factors also seem to be at work
#40
Lexus Fanatic
#41
Lexus Fanatic
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Mike, that is not necessarily the case. Often enough a car actually gains weight by switching to IRS from solid axle. Don't forget, with IRS you still keep the differential and two half axles, which weight about as much as solid axle, but you gain control arms, trailing arms, and other components.
#42
Lexus Fanatic
#44
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
even with the exercising and proper dieting, it's not easy for some people. i myself work out constantly, but am nowhere near my ideal weight. different cultures and genes produce different types of people. some may be heavier, but not necessarily fat. the same goes the opposite direction where i've seen skinny people who are diabetic and unhealthy and have high cholesterol and blood pressure. it just depends on the person. but in regards to cars packing on more weight, cars are getting heavier partially due to people becoming more and more overweight, as the case in america today.
#45
Lexus Fanatic
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I'm not sure I can agree. Back in the 1960s and early 70's, we had 20-ft-long, 5000-lb+ Cadillacs, Lincolns, and Imperials...this at a time when Americans, by and large, were younger and slimmer than they are now. Those two-and-a-half-ton (car) behemoths are long gone.......and, among regular mass-production passenger cars, with the possible exceptons of Maybach, Bentley and Rolls-Royce (which are not mass-produced), nothing in that weight class exists today outside of larger SUVs. To get really heavy vehicles today, you have to move outside of the regular passenger-car class.
Last edited by mmarshall; 09-20-10 at 09:38 AM.