Cars Get Lighter While Drivers Get Heavier - Why Not Just Throw In a Treadmill To Shed Pounds And Save Gas?

Automakers around the globe spend millions of dollars on r&d each year to drive extra pounds from their vehicles.

Some have gone so far as to eliminate the spare tire from a number of new models, such as the hot-selling Chevy Cruze and Hyundai Elantra.

But while engineers are removing one spare tire, their customers and passengers have each been adding one of their own.

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Agent009 - 12/8/2011 12:37:56 PM

+2 Boost

And to you for the insightful commentary as well.

sold2early - 12/8/2011 7:03:18 PM

+1 Boost

The writer of that article needs to shed the spare tire around his neck.

85bmw745i - 12/9/2011 1:32:22 PM

+1 Boost

@1911 LMFAO! that was too funny

85bmw745i - 12/9/2011 1:44:00 PM

+1 Boost

actually cars are getting fat too. I remember the Civic si back in the late 90's only had a 1.6l, 160hp engine yet could get 0-60 in just under 7 seconds. Now it takes a 200hp 2.4l engine with way more torque just to make that same trip in 7 seconds. a 190hp Nissan Maxima could get to 60 in under 7 seconds with a 5 speed manual. Now a CTS 3.6l 306hp V6 with over 100 more hp can takes 7 seconds. A Jeep Cherokee xj with the 4.0l 190hp inline 6 could get to 60 in 9 seconds flat, now a kia optima with almost 100hp more takes just as long despite the fact it is smaller. Could you imagine how fuel efficient cars would be today if they weighed what they weighed in the 90's? it wouldn't take 300hp just to get 0-60 in 7 seconds. Now days 300hp doesn't mean fast at all. Remember when the first ford lightning came out? 245hp and 0-60 in 7.2 seconds, the 375hp 5.0 F-150 took 7.4 seconds despite having a 6 speed auto while the old lightning had a 4 spd. Cars are way too fat and heavy. Which is why I love cars like the e30 and e36 3 series.