Do brands lie about the weight of your car?
Whenever a brand launches a new model it announces more security , more infotainment items and less consumption . But will these claims be compatible with each other? To get more tips, please read: average car weight
A range of equipment increases the mass of the vehicle , increasing its weight . Even with improvements in engine efficiency , are the brands true when they announce the weight of their vehicles? Let's find out.
Any builder wants to sell vehicles and nowadays the key to selling is to advertise low , ever lower consumption . The values are sometimes practically unattainable in normal use. In a recent article I approached the new formula that brings more realism to this calculation, read it here .
To increase security, new systems or creative solutions different from the traditional are needed . If they are using materials that are considered innovative or exotic, the price of these materials will cost the vehicle a lot. But, of course, that would make prices prohibitive .
Without new materials the increase in safety can also be derived from new construction techniques . Improving the way the car absorbs energy from an impact , however the material itself is a limitation. It can be reinforced by increasing the amount of material to improve resistance.
In the case of an increase in the range of “gadget's” the problem is the same, the more systems and elements, the more weight . Even with the technological evolution of gadgets, the need to power them requires batteries with more amperage and cold start capability . But this need causes an increase in weight .
Evolution over the years
The old cars, the so-called classics , have an air of heaviness , especially the Americans of the 50s and 60s. The "Detroit cars" of half a century ago, had large chrome bumpers , huge cast iron engines . They are large and heavy in appearance.
A range of equipment increases the mass of the vehicle , increasing its weight . Even with improvements in engine efficiency , are the brands true when they announce the weight of their vehicles? Let's find out.
Any builder wants to sell vehicles and nowadays the key to selling is to advertise low , ever lower consumption . The values are sometimes practically unattainable in normal use. In a recent article I approached the new formula that brings more realism to this calculation, read it here .
To increase security, new systems or creative solutions different from the traditional are needed . If they are using materials that are considered innovative or exotic, the price of these materials will cost the vehicle a lot. But, of course, that would make prices prohibitive .
Without new materials the increase in safety can also be derived from new construction techniques . Improving the way the car absorbs energy from an impact , however the material itself is a limitation. It can be reinforced by increasing the amount of material to improve resistance.
In the case of an increase in the range of “gadget's” the problem is the same, the more systems and elements, the more weight . Even with the technological evolution of gadgets, the need to power them requires batteries with more amperage and cold start capability . But this need causes an increase in weight .
Evolution over the years
The old cars, the so-called classics , have an air of heaviness , especially the Americans of the 50s and 60s. The "Detroit cars" of half a century ago, had large chrome bumpers , huge cast iron engines . They are large and heavy in appearance.
But things are not always as they seem. Modern cars are much more "dense" than their ancestors . Let's make a quick comparison between models from the same manufacturers with about 50 years difference. Let's look at the numbers.
Let's start by comparing the 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle 300 with the current Chevrolet Sonic . It is true that the cars are completely different, even from different segments . The oldest has a V6 engine , it must be impossible for the weight to be similar. Sonic really is lighter, but only 18 kilos !!! That's 1,340 kilos for the Chevelle versus 1,322 for Sonic.
But do brands lie about weight?
For approval purposes, brands must indicate a value as a basis, to which a value is added for the driver and luggage . Generally the mass determined by the entities is 75 kg. (Hey, I think I have an excess of “baggage” )
For example, the BMW Z4 M Coupé has a base weight of 1,420kgs, plus the value indicated above will give a total of 1,495kgs of total mass .
Assuming that brands can sometimes indicate another value and other times, let us move on to concrete examples of disparities.
EVO magazine performed a check of the weights advertised by the brands for certain sports models . The variations in some cases were significant, always for more. Let's start with the closest to what the brands have announced. The Fors Focus RS presents a weight over 22kgs compared to the announced.
Why these differences?
Some brands calculate the base weight as the car without "extras" , such as air conditioning , panoramic roofs, sound systems , seats with electric adjustment and heating ... even if it is not possible to order the car without this equipment!
All calculations made based on the mass of the vehicle are affected. Weight differences will alter consumption calculations , as a heavier car will need more fuel to get around. But it is not only the economy that is affected, performances are also affected . Any extra weight will need more power and torque to move it.