Mazda plans to chop 400lbs from next-generation vehicles
With its most recent entries, the mid-sized 6 and sub-compact 2, Mazda has demonstrated that new generations of cars don't necessarily have to get heavier. Each of the recently introduced new models are at least 100 lbs lighter than the predecessors. For its next generation of new cars, Mazda intends to step up its game even more, aiming for reductions of over 400 lbs. Mazda engineers will completely re-examine the structural design of the cars. One of the areas of focus will be to direct crash forces through the floor pan rather than the body. The large surface area of the floor apparently requires less reinforcement to achieve similar load bearing capacity than the upper body structure. New aerated plastics will also help reduce the weight of the components that dominate the interior of the car. New powertrains, including continued development of the Wankel rotary engine, will also contribute to weight savings.
[Source: AutoCar]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
EV-1 2:08PM (10/01/2008)
Been preaching low weight for nearly two decades.
Weight is the enemy of just about everything regarding moving object - [ vehicles ].
It's just poor engineering if there are problems w comfort and/or suspension.
Sound dampening though, admittedly IS a difficult issue
( as a sound technician I know )
but then the ELECTRIC motor is the most quiet type invented, so that's a concept w exciting potential
And yes! Will they finally manufacture cars from other than steel !? At least partially ?
I say - Horay !!
:)
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mikeyp1 2:58PM (10/01/2008)
For cats sake give up on the wankel Mazda! You have been pouring money&engineering talent into it for 40 years and it is still a gas and oil guzzling,poluting mess.
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EV-1 4:38PM (10/01/2008)
Yes indeed !
Couldn't have said it better myself! :)
Give up ICEs altogether, that's what I say !!!!
Gulags 5:45PM (10/01/2008)
They can easily remove 400 pounds by keeping Americans away from the car, am I right?
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why not the LS2LS7? 4:37AM (10/02/2008)
Not gonna happen. I'd be shocked if they drop 200lbs.
It's great they see the value of low weight, but reducing weights of cars without increasing the price a lot is difficult. Dropping over 10% without increasing the price or shrinking the car is essentially impossible.
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bc 5:18AM (10/02/2008)
Only the foreign-market Mazda6 is lighter than the first-generation. The US-market sedan is larger and heavier, approximately 170 lb more than the first-generation, which makes it more than 270 lb heavier than the overseas model. Some of that is differences in trim and standard equipment, of course.
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