Interesting Theory: 4x4s are better for the environment than Eco Euro Boxes...

[BigglesPiP]

But that the point. Why count emisions per driver when people who are in the 'better' cars outnumber those in the worse by a substantial margin.

Its also about maybe the EU should look at how its regulations on cars are just making them fatter and heavier. Lighter cars would be more economical and greener.

Not every company is guilty of making their cars ludicrously fat.

Year - Kg

VW Golf GTI.
2009 - 1318
2006 - 1357
2004 - 1336
2001 - 1279
1991 - 1140
1990 - 960
1985 - 907
1983 - 860
1981 - 840
1979 - 810
1976 - 810
Maybe the golf has moved up the range 1 peg?

Peugeot 20x 1.4.
207:
2006 - 1156
206:
1998 - 950
205:
1983 - 810

Ford Fiesta 1.25/1.3ish.
2008 - 966
2001 - 1107
1999 - 912
1980 - 775
1979 - 770
Bad gap in these stats, I know.

FIAT's Big hatch - 1.9 derv as it's the only common engine size over the time.
Bravo:
2007 - 1320
Stilo:
2002 - 1410
2001 - 1250
Bravo:
1995 - 1170
Tipo:
1988 - 1110

BMW 530i.
E60:
2007 - 1605
2005 - 1565
2003 - 1570
E39:
2002 - 1605
E34:
1992 - 1565
1988 - 1593
E28 528i:
1981 - 1300
E12 530:
1977 - 1425



They are all heavier, but some not by much, and they are all much better now than when they were 1st sold. And the Fiesta is still surprisingly light.

I'm happy to carry 200Kg for airbags, pre-tensioning seatbelts, air-conditioning, and a few electronic bits.

That said, stick a bag of lawn sand in the golf and it's twice the weight of the original.


Also, ignoring carbon, I bet the newer ones are many times better on emissions than the old ones.

 

[Rroff]

Evo published figures a year ago showing the effect on world CO2 emissions if everyone in the UK purchase a 4.4 litre Range Rover.

I can't remember the exact figure but it was something like a 0.001% increase.

I'd be suprised if it was "that" much... IIRC they worked out that if everyone in the US stopped driving CO2 emissions would only decrease by 0.02%.

 

[Matt82]

maybe ive got the wrong end of the stick, but 4x4s are less damaging to the planet because there are fewer of them? really sherlock?!

that doesnt stop them from having no place on our roads (in 98% cases).

its like saying aids really isnt an issue, far more people have flu every year.

4x4s are so utterly gay because i see no point in owning such a large pointless car

 

[Dogbreath]

But that the point. Why count emisions per driver when people who are in the 'better' cars outnumber those in the worse by a substantial margin.

And why do you think there are more small cars than 4x4's? Sorry, but this really is one of the most nonsensical threads I've seen for a while.

Yes, cars are in general getting larger and heavier, but this is due primarily to safety requirements. I'm certainly no safety nazi, or a fan of modern cars that are loaded with gadgets which remove responsibility from drivers, but you are going to have to provide some pretty convincing arguments to the general public that reducing car weight should be prioritised over safety. IMO the reduction in deaths from car accidents over the years has been primarily from safety improvements, it's certainly not due to speed cameras or any improvement in driving standards (which decrease on an almost daily basis IME).

 

[miniyazz]

I don't really get what this thread's about. 1,000,000 4x4s release less CO2 than 20,000,000 Euro Boxes? Great, who cares? It's irrelevant, and always will be irrelevant, until 4x4s are beng used for just the same tihngs as Euro Boxes (or only those used for the same things as Euro Boxes are included in this survey), and only then when done on a per person basis not a per vehicle basis. If each 4x4 had a full load of passengers, whereas each Euro Box could only fit the driver in, then this could be a worthwhile comparison. Otherwise it's just pretty pointless.