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Old 02-24-2009, 12:54 PM   #6 (permalink)
shovel
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
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I'm going to assert that it's very likely cars continue to have hoods extending in front of the passenger compartment because sitting in the front of the vehicle when you crash into something at speed is probably bad for your health.

Putting the windshield way out in front of the driver is probably good for aero, but much more than that it keeps your head away from the hard, unforgiving glass when you come to an abrupt stop upon impact.

But the windshield can't be at the extreme front of the car... because then you can't access the engine to perform repairs. The engine can't be in the passenger compartment because of fumes from a poorly maintained one and because of noise/vibration (everyone wants a silent cabin). The vehicle can't have a luggage trunk in front because depending what you keep in the trunk, your set of golf clubs cound become skewers if you slam into a brick wall.

So while the shape of cars today may not be ideal from an aero perspective, I think they are as they are because they have to be, to an extent. We'll see better and better compromises/solutions as time goes by, always do
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