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Old 06-06-2012, 11:29 PM   #668 (permalink)
ImportConvert
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shadoquad View Post
"Safety measures" didn't make cars lighter. It made them bulkier, less maneuverable, harder to stop. So then braking and handling had to be upgraded to keep up. Engines needed more power to be considered "fast". Then someone noticed that heavier cars with more powerful engines were brutally inefficient, and so FI became the winning move. Even archaic BMW moved into FI performance models.
How do you explain that the 370Z = lighter than 350Z, in lieu of your above statements?

FI is because of the EPA, and has nothing to do with weight. It's a fuel-cheap way to make more power on demand, and would happen regardless of weight fluctuation of the vehicle. It's just an evolution like fuel injection, which is slowly giving way to DI. It's just a "better" way. It can now be integrated with minimal/no lag, and that was what BMW was "waiting" for.

Turbos only make sense. Keep the engine in vacuum and you get great economy and the EPA is happy. Floor it and the car GOES, and the enthusiast is happy.

What's not to like?

Has nothing to do with weight.

Now yes, safety structures DO have weight, but they are more than offset by smarter engineering and advanced materials--harken back to the 350 vs. 370 curb weights even though the 370Z is a LOT more rigid.
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