Why Mercedes Benz 'boxy' cars are more aerodynamic than 'sporty' Japanese ones?

[Ecky]

I was impressed with my sister's Avalon. She has a 2002, 4 speed slushbox with a V6, and I averaged 33 driving across the country, averaging around 70mph. CD for that one is 0.28 I believe, dunno about the newer models, and it's quite boxy. Granted, the Avalon isn't a "sporty" car, and even though it has a great Cd, it's huge (large frontal area).


@Frank, 19/21, mistook an Opel, and confused their Avalon for another Toyota. 90% vs 74% average.

[bobdbilder]

Japanese Domestic Market Toyota Sera was a nice little number. Made up to '98 with a 1.5l engine. Weighs 900kg (1984 lbs). Being JDM you probably will not have their Cd numbers. Japanese cars may have big Cd numbers but their frontal area is small. They only make it bigger for the American market and then try to sell to the affluent market worldwide.



Serialk11r is right most of their cars are found in countries where people spend more time in congested cities. In which case; keeping weight down is more important than aeros. Kei cars are smaller with 3 cylinder engines and used in cities where they are not taxed for taking up so much space and high emissions.

Germans have their Autobahn and the big sedans are only used by upper-middle class people, privately owned businesses, taxis or company leased. Germans being practical, do not use big cars. Not when half of their income goes to taxes. In general hatchbacks are more popular in Europe with the masses.

If you are in America or even Australia, its basically because all these manufacturers have you in their sights for the Merc S400 hybrid. Everybody else who falls for it is a bonus.

[Frank Lee]

That cute lil thing made it to Canada!

[user removed]

Reminds me of the Nissan NX 1600 & 2000.

regards
mech

[bobdbilder]

I wanted it back then for two things;
a) That glass all round roof
b) Lambo-ish doors

This was way back when Toyota was trying to have something for everybody. Ahhh the 90's...