What is "heavy"?

[Apex Paul]

Originally Posted by ffrcobra_65

Weight relative to RWHP makes sense.

Exactly.

I never get too hung up on vehicle weight. I prefer that street cars retain all the "accoutrements" that came from the factory. I don't want to drive around in a stripped down version of the car I own. I'm not ripping out my AC compressor to save 30 pounds... I prefer to just amp up the power.

[speedster]

It's all relative. If a 4,000 pound car runs 11's or 10's or 9's it's fun.

Or you can have one that runs fast like a Bugatti Veyron (4,160 lbs), Mercedes SLR McLaren (3,898) or S65 AMG (4,982) or Lamborghini Murcielago (3,637).

Many of the late 60's/early 70's full frame muscle cars weighed in between 3700 and 4300 lbs. They weren't as light as many think. Even the Boss 429 Mustang so revered by the Ford guys was right in there at 3,870 pounds. Go check out the NHRA weights for Stock classes.

[Number 3]

There are a coupld of ways to look at this.

First, do you have enough HP to move the car in an adequate manner. For example, the CTS-V tips the scales in the direction of "hefty". But with 305 HP it moves quite nicely and with 556 it moves VERRRRY nicely. But reduced weight would allow better acceleration and better FE. But that isn't critical in that class of vehicle.

The other way is efficiency. What it the weight of the car relative to it's size. Yes the Mustang weighs less, but it is a smaller car. So scale up a Mustang to the exact dimensions of the Camaro now what does it weigh? And also consider the interior......how much space for the driver and passenger relative to weight.

And one more cost vs. mass. Yes a Corvette Z06 is very light for it's size. Hundreds of pounds less than a Porche with nearly the same wheel base. But aluminum frame, $$$$. Carbon Fiber Fender inner, upper cowl, floor panels, etc/, $$$$. Magnesium cradle, $$$$. So will the cost of those come down to the Cruze class? Don't think so unless fuel gets so high the average customer will pay for it.

But essentially, most cars have body structures that can hold roof crush loads to 2 1/2 times the weight of the car. So the 3,850 pound Camaro can withstand almost 10,000 pounds applied to the top of the A-pillar. It has more airbags than seats or wheels. It has enough control modules and electronics to exact world domination. Plus optional features like OnStar, HUD, Rear Park Assist etc.

It's tough to get a car to weigh less than 3,000 pounds and still have features and meet all the safety standards. I think my Sky is 2,950?? But that's two seats and SMALL.

So I kind of look at the weight of any car and compare it for it's size. But when you see the weight of the Volt for example you'll be shocked...............until you realize there is a 400 pound battery pack in there somewhere.

So a 4,000 plus luxury car makes perfect sense just as a 3,200 pound Corvette does. You have to consider what it is.............what it does............and what it's made of.

Good thread though and good discussion.

[PAUL SS]

I think my 73 Z28 weighed about 3600 pounds. Compare that to my 10 SS at just under 4000 pounds and it makes you think. The 10 SS is a safer car, has more options and a much stronger structure. I can live with the extra weight in the 2010 Camaro, considering the drive train improvements over the last few decades.

[305pride]

the 4th gen was heavy. and now the the 5th gen is making the 4th gen seem pretty light lol cant wait for the smaller 6th gen.

[COPO_Chevy]

Originally Posted by Number 3

So a 4,000 plus luxury car makes perfect sense just as a 3,200 pound Corvette does. You have to consider what it is.............what it does............and what it's made of.

I feel this is what it all boils down too, IMO.

However, If I had to place numbers:

Originally Posted by bigearl

Sports Car >3500
Sporty Coupe >4000
Sedan >4400

These are pretty much right on to what I was thinking.
But again it boils down to its application and how it uses its said weight, as Number 3 explained.

[2010-1SS-IBM]

Doesn't matter anymore. Now that sedans can put down supercar performance, sports cars are going to get the goodies or become irrelevant.

[305pride]

i figure cars are all getting heavier because they are adding newer, better tech. like more air bags and safety stuff.

[GrnMchin]

My Duramax.. in the car world.. anything over the 3600 lbs IMO... If you want all the fancy stuff it adds weight plain and simple..

[2010 SSRS]

Originally Posted by brandotron

This is heavy

[GrnMchin]

Originally Posted by brandotron

This is heavy

RIP

[a_Username]

Originally Posted by 2010-1SS-IBM

Doesn't matter anymore. Now that sedans can put down supercar performance, sports cars are going to get the goodies or become irrelevant.

That's assuming no one likes the looks of all two door vehicles lol.

[Mindz]

[DGthe3]

When there are Lambo's running around at nearly 4000 lbs I stop worrying about the weight of cars that cost 1/10 as much.