05-21-2008, 10:15 PM
Nailed it. Add to that the continued preoccupation with horsepower and torque --- and not just to overcome our fat asses --- and you get lackluster MPG.
Years ago you sell a car that could only do 0-60 in 12 seconds --- and the world didn't end. Nowadays, if your mom's new car doesn't do it in 8 seconds or less it's not competitively quick enough.
To be fair however, better crumple zones, stiffer structures and stability control etc. all add weight too. Not saying all that safety crap is absolutely necessary, but there it is.
Years ago you sell a car that could only do 0-60 in 12 seconds --- and the world didn't end. Nowadays, if your mom's new car doesn't do it in 8 seconds or less it's not competitively quick enough.
To be fair however, better crumple zones, stiffer structures and stability control etc. all add weight too. Not saying all that safety crap is absolutely necessary, but there it is.