Quote:
Originally Posted by California98Civic
I don't know how you did your coast down tests for your specific set-up, but Honda engineers would appear to disagree with your general conclusion. The 1991 DX MT Civic hatchback was 2165lbs in dry curb weight. The 1992 VX hatchback was 2094 lbs dry weight. That is 171 pounds lighter. Honda had Enkei make especially light wheels for the VX, they gave it a lighter flywheel, and made other weight reductions. Why do that if it is no benefit, or worse if it will cost fuel economy in your fuel-economy marketed car? The answer is that it helps increase fuel economy: attached is a screen shot table, showing a 2.5% fuel economy gain from weight reduction alone.
|
The answer is simple they assume a gas/brake driver. For a hypermiler extra weight is just stored momentum, it's like a hybrid but with 100% efficient energy conversion.