Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank Lee
The mfgs couldn't give us a new 1600 lb Metro if they wanted to because of all the required nanny crap.
|
Define "nanny crap".
The Aygo (the one I had) weighed in at 1,962 lb including all safety gear - airbags, ABS, stability control. Given it had an engine making more than the 1.3 Metro with a 1.0 triple it had the grunt to move it too and did better MPG.
Progress, its a wonderful thing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr
I'd probably get rid of the airbags, and either removing the seatbelts completely or just replacing the 3-point ones with lap-belts, not just to save a few ounces but also because I never cared for airbags, and the interior trim can provide some impact absorption in a way kinda similar to the approach taken in American school buses. Sure it may initially sound kinda pointless since I was complaining about the weight of safety features but, instead of making the interior trims just fancy, some degree of functionality could be added to them. As a matter of priorities I'd rather have ABS brakes instead of airbags and 3-point seatbelts.
|
I'm not seeing anything sensible here, maybe it is me.
A lap belt just holds you in the seat - the 3 point one means you don't face-plant the steering wheel or dash which might actually kill you. And no, you won't be able to avoid it if/when it happens.
You have to treat airbags carefully from a DIY mechanic point of view but it isn't anything really tricky and only adds maybe 500g per airbag - that is less than a typical handbag or a couple of phones these days. Plus they prevent the faceplant / wheel or dash thing quite effectively if you choose (stupidly) to avoid seatbelts.
If you want to rely on the interior of your car for padding against impacts then good luck with that one. I suggest lining it with razor blades just to make sure.
