rsantiago

I've noticed that a lot of our compact and midsize sedans have gained a lot of weight over the past 10 to 15 years, I honestly think that automakers should stop focusing on hp and instead work hard on cutting down weight on cars.

What are you thoughts guys ??

Allen K

iTrader: (4)

A lot of the weight is from additional convenience and safety features so I don't necessarily mind the weight.

SLegacy99

I concur the weight is both a problem but a result of modern safety features. However, some automakers have gotten out of control. MB stands out in my mind. They keep getting heavier, then they add more power via bigger engines, which adds more weight so that increase the power output which decreasese fuel economy. The SL600 weighs almost 4500 lbs! Compare that to the 3200 lb. Corvette.

My Legacy weighs 3100 lbs. Pretty good for a midsize sedan that has AWD. But the new ones weigh between 3300 and 3400 lbs and the 6 cylinders weigh 3500. I think there is room to reduce weight however alluminum costing more doesn't help. Audi's new weight saving frame technology is supposedly going to reduce the weight of the Q7 but 600 lbs. Thats pretty good.

Here's where I was very surprised. We all rag on Ford for producing crappy cars and doing poor design jobs. However, the Fusion/Milan weigh 3100 lbs in 4 cylinder form and 3300 lbs with the V6. Thats relatively light for a vehicle that size by todays standards. Camry is 150 lbs heavier.

In a nutshell I think that there is room for improvement.

timer00

I remember when my 93 camry XLE V6 weighed just over 3200 lbs.

RON430

Very little you can, or probably should, do about jettisoning safety equipment. But the biggest part of this discussion is what do you think should be at least made optional to give you the choice? Can't find a luxury/sport sedan without power windows, power seats, power adjust mirrors, and sunroof. Now I may still order those regardless but as much as I like the sunroof, I never use it. All the motors in the seat? I tend to set it at one place and leave it there. I'm not saying that everyone would have the same desires but you just don't have much choice today.

Stormwind

Yeah but the SL is about 10 million times safer than anything GM can make, let alone a Corvette.

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

SL has a folding hardtop and needs a lot of chassis strengthening as a result

Och

iTrader: (3)

Talking about motors in the seats, when I was replacing the seats in my LS, do you know what these weight? They got to be well over 100lbs, backbreaking weight! And this is a 94, with basic adjustments. I can only imagine how much a seat out of a new LS weights.

RON430

Among other things, I do development in photonics and I was flabbergasted when I started reading about car makers putting fiber networks in the cars to cut down on the wiring weight. I don't mind at all if someone decides they want to have the weight from these options but let's be honest, on a lot of models you just have no choice. I know the tendency to look down our noses at manual adjust steering wheels for example but do you really need the weight of the motors, wiring, and electrical system capacity to adjust your steering wheel?

Getting better mileage is going to be hard to do if cars stay this porky and from an admittedly purely selfish reason, it is a lot easier to get good handling on a light car than some beached whale. If I have to give some convenience up, I at least want to get the handling enthusiasm. But then, I'm pretty selfish that way.

sleeper408

iTrader: (6)

I agree with everyone. Added safety features and creature comforts have added a bunch of weight.

If you want a lightweight car, look into a Lotus Elise or Exige (2000 lbs.).

Byprodrive

iTrader: (1)

And notice how expensive that Lotus is. It costs a lot more to make cars lighter, both the engineering and materials. And that is the bottom line.

Och

iTrader: (3)

Well, manual steering wheel would be fine, less weight and its not that difficult to adjust it on your own afterall. However I'm not sure if its possible to have a manual telescopic steering wheel.

But motorized side view mirrors and seats are a must. I hated the manual seats and mirrors in my Honda, and I will never ever get a car without automatic memory seats and mirrors.

Och

iTrader: (3)

Not necessarily. If Lotus was made mass production, it could be made cheaper than a Corolla.

Nextourer

Yes more equipment = more weight but I'm think there should be just as much development into making engines and transmissions light as there is going to making them more fuel efficient.

Our old 02 Camry XLE weighed 1,500kg. Not bad with 6 airbags, power front seats, power moonroof etc. It was a 4 cylinder. The V6 added a bit more (30kgs I think). That said, Toyota cut down on the aluminium use in the new Camry and it shows. The base Camry CE weighs slightly above 1,500kg even with the 6 airbags (standard for 2007) and no power seats or power moonroof.

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

All those extra airbags and electronic safety equipment add a lot of weight. I packed up a drivers airbag and a passengers side air bag from my old SC400 and it is pretty heavy for just those two parts. Imagine having side airbags, side airbag curtains, knee airbags, rear airbags, roof airbags. I would estimate that is over 100 lbs right there alone.