Professor Kenny Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 I was behind a Vauxhall Insignia VXR in traffic the other day. The boot spoiler was about level with my eyes! I know that there's more and more push for cars to be safe, but do they really need to be so huge? I'm not even talking about 4x4s and SUVs, just ordinary cars -the new Polo is the same size as the original Golf, the new Corsa's got be to getting on for the size of the original Astra... where's it going to end? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz6002 Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 Or, maybe you're getting smaller? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny g Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 To incorporate the safety features, the "toys" that we've grown acustomed too, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJI Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 yep these days cars have to be designed so that they are friendly to the drunken pedestrians that fall into the road and end up trying to head butt the bonnet. Side impact bars, increasing sized crumple zones, and side airbags and the need for competative interior and boot space has seen car sizes grow sharply over the past 20 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digsy Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 People want bigger cars with more seating area and luggage space. As the car has evolved, people's expectations or each car "sector" have increased, so what would have been classed as a "mini" car ten years ago is now a "super mini" and today's min car is in fact the size of an old Golf. Engines have got smaller and more economical so that you don't have to make a tiny car to get decent fuel economy. Size reduction through improved engineering means that you can push the passenger compartment to all four corners of the car, almost to the point where the engine and running gear have no more room to shrink. This is the point where cars stopped grosing outwards and started growing upwards, which means you can push more gubbins under the floor to create even more cabin space without increasing the wheelbase. Net result: Cars in every popular market segment are getting bigger and taller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooter Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 I think as well that it's almost commercial/marketing suicide to have the next mk whatever small than its predecessor..........hence the Lupo/yaris comes in as the polo/corolla expanded........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 Yet, as I have said before, parking spaces and domestic garages remain steadfastly at 4.8 by 2.4 m based on some 50+ year old set of standards, and no one will face the cost or lost revenue of increasing the size. Meanwhile, we all pay more insurance due to dings and scrapes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terminator Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 Well said Rob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 I saw an old Fiesta next to a new one at the weekend. The old one looked tiny. Have any other members seen examples of new and old models parked next to each other? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marbleapple Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 Or, maybe you're getting smaller? Yet, as I have said before, parking spaces and domestic garages remain steadfastly at 4.8 by 2.4 m based on some 50+ year old set of standards, and no one will face the cost or lost revenue of increasing the size. Meanwhile, we all pay more insurance due to dings and scrapes. A very good point. Where I live the builders have had the wise idea of making them smaller.... and are now surprised to find people's cars will fit in but they can't open their car doors..... everyone is parking on the roads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swich Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 I was behind a Vauxhall Insignia VXR in traffic the other day. The boot spoiler was about level with my eyes! Note to self, do not hit an Insignia up the arse, will take head off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TLicense Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 Have any other members seen examples of new and old models parked next to each other? I once saw my ex-girlfriend and my current girlfriend talking to each other at a party. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abz Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 I once saw my ex-girlfriend and my current girlfriend talking to each other at a party. So I take it the ex is looking fit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivan Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 I was behind a Vauxhall Insignia VXR in traffic the other day. The boot spoiler was about level with my eyes! I know that there's more and more push for cars to be safe, but do they really need to be so huge? I'm not even talking about 4x4s and SUVs, just ordinary cars -the new Polo is the same size as the original Golf, the new Corsa's got be to getting on for the size of the original Astra... where's it going to end? You're the flamin' Professor - you tell me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 I saw an old Fiesta next to a new one at the weekend. The old one looked tiny. Have any other members seen examples of new and old models parked next to each other? Lad who lived across from my mother's hosue had a Mini and a Bini on the drive. The size difference is astounding, at first I thought it must be a very long driveway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz6002 Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 Taxi!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewOW Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 Taxi!!! http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a7/Gaz6002/gtr.jpg That new GTR is huge! We have at least 3 in Eastbourne now. They're getting more common than the Supra. Well, nearly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.