Have you ever wondered why the midsize car empty mass has increased from say 800kg to well over 1.5t during the last 20 years?
Yes, I often have. Had always believed the technological progress would make room for lighter cars (pleasing the green horde who want lower emissions i.e. less fuel burn) while still increasing safety, but my only explanation is that carbonfibre and like technologies are either too expensive or not sufficiently mastered yet to make it into a volume product like a car. So that car makers, in face of ever more stringent safety demands, saw only the option of putting in more (low-grade) steel.
So that car makers, in face of ever more stringent safety demands, saw only the option of putting in more (low-grade) steel.
And on that you would be wrong. There is way more 'exotic' light material in a car today. Unfortunately, there is way more safety, emission, and customer preference (like A/c power everything and noise insulation) equipment on a modern car.
