Quote:
Originally Posted by lowglider
"Researchers estimate the new model could shave almost 1,000 pounds off a car's weight currently taken up by conventional engine systems."
Are they serious, 1000 pounds? A 4.4l V8 that I know of weighs 350lbs...
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1000 pounds is a lot, but if you can drastically reduce engine weight, size, and fuel consumption, you also get significant side benefits.
The car's structure can be smaller, thus lighter. Just look at the relative size of the hood / engine compartment on most cars.
It doesn't have to carry a heavy engine, making the structure lighter again.
This in turn means a lighter suspension.
It'd only need a small fuel tank, more weight being shed.
Big powerful engine options come at a cost - not just to those who buy them, but also to the folks who buy the more moderate version of a given model that are still engineered and built to handle the more powerful, heavier engines.