Efficiency? Think Racing Cars, Not Hybrids

Gordonjcp writes "A renowned racing car designer has said that car manufacturers should be looking at making cars lighter to improve efficiency, rather than adding complex drive trains. In this article on the BBC News website, Professor Gordon Murray explains that a weight saving of 10% in a normal car would make more difference than switching to a hybrid engine and motor combination. Could this be the next nail in the SUV's coffin?"

It's a question of weight ratios

[bugnuts]

... but how many coconuts can an SUV carry?

Re:It's a question of weight ratios

[Opportunist]

American or Japanese?

Surprising

[Nodamnnicknamesavial]

So aerodynamics and weight make a difference when trying to propel an object?!

This is going to revolutionize everything!

Maybe if we drove cars in space we wouldn't have those pesky problems.

Re:In the US no one wants to buy light cars

[Broken scope]

Because criticizing a perfect European car or the enlightened people who drive them is unacceptable.

Re:In the US no one wants to buy light cars

[llamalad]

Because with greater vehicular mass should come greater driver responsibility.

Re:In the US no one wants to buy light cars

[jo42]

enlightened

That's a new definition of "having your head up your arse" that we haven't heard before...

Re:I am also an avid cyclist...

[Anonymous Coward]

I bike commute to work, and the only close shave I've had is with the new Gillette Fusion(r) Power razor. Truly, the best a man can get.

Re:In the US no one wants to buy light cars

[raygundan]

I used to bike commute, and my only wreck was with a tow truck. But it was my own stupid fault, not his, and if you're going to go over your handlebars, I highly recommend doing it onto the flatbed part of a flatbed tow truck. Saves the long fall back to the pavement.

Re:In the US no one wants to buy light cars

[Lord_Frederick]

Oh crap you're right! I never thought I would unknowingly make a "get off my lawn" comment. Diapers and a hoveround are just around the corner. /sob

Re:Lotus Elise

[lpaul55]

Sure, but what you save on gas you'll spend on oil. ;-)

Re:What about 10% weight savings in the driver's s

[Jor-Al]

But then they would have to actually burn calories from their fat asses. Won't you think of the asses!?!?!

Re:In the US no one wants to buy light cars

[stewbee]

But here I am trying to reason with a guy that wants roughly half of the driving public dead.

Seeing as how I live in a Chicago suburb, if this improved my commute, then I would be all for it ;-)

To chop weight, get Rid of all the Crap in Cars...

[tjstork]

If you want to give up weight in cars.

a) get rid of the catalytic converter
b) shorten the tailpipe and shrink the muffler
c) get rid of airbags
d) get rid of power heated super seats
e) get rid of side impact safety beams

that right there gets you some good weight savings.

Water Powered Car - no joke!

[Adeptus_Luminati]

With gas prices sky rocketing, I'm surprised more people aren't paying attention to inventors who have *already* created water powered cars that actually run. People, this isn't about 1 or 2 fringe scientists coming up with some hoax in their basements; this is something being discovered, built and used by people all over the world already. From US to Japan to Australia and beyond, if you don't believe me, just watch the videos below.

"A closed mind is a good thing to lose"

Main Website: http://waterpoweredcar.com/ [waterpoweredcar.com]

Videos:
Genius US Inventor (water car): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZOsOB3z3IE [youtube.com]
From Australia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXzK-zrWDgI&feature=related [youtube.com]
Water Car Inventor Murdered -news channel report: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6yRn4IAsrU&feature=related [youtube.com]
Ford Conversion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-piMEZ2WcQU&feature=related [youtube.com]
From Japan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1OWDcWoXHs&feature=related [youtube.com]
Company selling water cars: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4mz7MPSquU&feature=related [youtube.com]

WAKE UP AMERICA, your government lies to you! Well, ok, so does every other government, but this particular issue (water car) is worth fighting for.

Re:In the US no one wants to buy light cars

[sunking2]

How the hell do you not know the kind of car your wife drives yet you know what she gets for mileage?

Re:I am also an avid cyclist...

[GrievousMistake]

Yeah? Well, I commute

By bike to work

That SUV driver

Is such

A jerk

Burma-Shave

Or...

[rakzor]

How about the average American just loses a few pounds? When you think of all the overweight people in American and how much each would save in gas.

Re:In the US no one wants to buy light cars

[iamacat]

You can make a safe, lightweight car, such as a Formula 1, but it's going to cost you. Carbon composite isn't cheap.

Easy, just make a car out of paper. After all, it is stronger than steel [slashdot.org] and not terribly expensive.

Re:In the US no one wants to buy light cars

[Lumpy]

Who is the idiot who is driving 55 in a 30 mph zone?

most of the dipshits around my neighborhood.

The cops wont do anything, the neighbor guy throws full pop cans at the cars that are speeding and hits them (they typically have a fart can and skyhook wing). He's an ex boxer and huge, the snot nosed brats that get out of their car to have words almost piss themselves when he get's up.

One of these day's i'm going to go over on a saturday and join him in throwing pop cans at speeding cars.

Re:In the US no one wants to buy light cars

[takshaka]

If you want to peddle your ass to work, good for you.

Peddling your ass is illegal in all states except Nevada.

Re:Watch this...

[saleenS281]

Clearly the guy in the benz. He's out a good $50,000.