Not a sufficient argument imo.

(1) engine development means as time goes on, generally you will get more power, more efficiency out of newer engines.

(2) cars wouldn't need mammoth power numbers to be fast and fun if they were still light and nimble.

I'd rather have 300hp in a lightweight Exige than 700hp in a bulky 2.5 ton Merc. Bit of an exaggeration, but I think you get my point.

Same with weight as time goes on safety standards and equipment options becoming standards adds weight. We may dream of 2000 lb sportcars but those will disappear before the V8 does.

Ah, but we're talking about two separate things. I'm talking about performance without regard to "safety".

And I don't agree that bulking cars up to make them safer in a crash really makes them completely safer on the road, because the additional girth makes it physically more difficult to avoid accidents.

Yes but governments have already decided there's no point in trying to make us better drivers. Let's just require manufacturers encapsulate us in so much metal that when we do finally hit something it is relatively painless (to those inside said capsule of steel).

I know, because making people better drivers requires work, which entails time and effort. Whereas throwing more metal at the problem is an easy solution.

It's a bit hypocritical. The gov't rails out about how inefficient our cars are, but half of that is because engines have to push these two-ton slabs of metal around everywhere.

:iagree:

yes and no, why can't they create stronger, lightweight materials?
that's what Im talking bout willis

$$$$

Eventually we will get there but it takes a long time to get to the point where you can produce those materials in high enough volumes at low enough costs to make it appeal to a consumer.

I'm waiting for transparent carbon fiber windows. Think about the safety and weight savings.

:icon17:

They can. It just costs. Those little fenders on my Z06 are carbon-fiber and cost $1800 a piece unpainted, dealership price. Together that's almost $3K and doesn't include paint. Imagine if a Cobalt was made out of such? It would cost $40K. Ridiculous.

dude, we have the tech and its not THAT expensive.. I mean, it's only 1million bucks to re-skin a fighter jet.. should be MUCH cheaper to do a car...:bowrofl::bowrofl::bowrofl:

A v6 in a soapbox car would be a great power to weight ratio.

Go buy some. It's called Lexan, and it will cost you $$$$. Not exactly "Clear CF", but has the same attributes as the material you are seeking.

They use it in aircraft canopies. That could be the stuff. If it weighs less than CF mold an entire car body out of it. That would be cool.