[ExI] fuel economy vs danger

[Dave Sill]

On Tue, Apr 6, 2010 at 6:54 AM, Stefano Vaj <stefano.vaj at gmail.com> wrote:
> On 3 April 2010 14:51, Dave Sill <sparge at gmail.com> wrote:
>> On Fri, Apr 2, 2010 at 5:53 AM, Stefano Vaj <stefano.vaj at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> but are also
>>> obviously more prone to loss of controls at an equivalent speed
>>> (wheels, brakes, etc.).
>>
>> Say what? What's "obvious" about that?
>
> Mmhhh. At an equal speed, a Mercedes (which may be going at less than
> half its cruise velocity) is much easier to control and to stop than a
> full gas-launched Fiat, or for that matter a motorbyke.

All other things being equal, a 2000 pound car will accelerate faster,
stop faster, and handle better than a 3000 pound car. A clear example
of this is Formula 1 race cars: they have a minimum weight, and the
teams run the cars as close to that minimum as possible. Occasionally
a team will be penalized for an underweight car, but there's no
maximum weight.

Forget car/bike comparisons or luxury/economy car comparisons--they're
apples & oranges. The Merc has better tires/brakes/suspension than the
Fiat, which compensates somewhat for the weight disadvantage.

-Dave