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Old 02-12-2015, 02:37 AM   #41 (permalink)
RunningStrong
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: UK
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Panzerwagon - '02 Skoda Fabia
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oldtamiyaphile View Post
Caterham 7 CSR - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Keeping in mind the Caterham is something an average DIY mechanic can build from scratch and doesn't have ABS, EBD, brake assist etc, that the others do. Porsches have always stopped quickly because the rear weight bias controls weight transfer under heavy braking.

Think about it this way, you're out on a drive and for whatever reason you need to stop suddenly (you happen to have 43m to do it), the dangerous light weight car stops without a scratch, while the safety ladden Cruze sends you to the hospital and probably the morgue.

There are of course some unavoidable accidents, but in general good handling/ braking cars could reduce accident severity at least as much as passive systems.

I wonder what would happen to the road toll if governments gave manufacturers the option to build actively safe cars in return for lower crash requirements. It seems like safer cars don't translate with any significant meaning to reduced death and injury statistics.
The CSR is a great example. A car that's heavier than its predecessor, featuring better brakes, suspension and larger wheels, and performs better than its predecessor in all areas.

Great way to defeat your own argument!

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