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The average American automobile now weighs over 2 tonnes and takes up almost 5 square meters of space.
(lemmy.world)
this post was submitted on 10 Aug 2026
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I'm not sure it's reasonable to directly complain about fast 0-60 times. Slower acceleration removes options and makes merging more difficult; not all high speed roads have onramps of adequate length.
Definitely agreed on weight.
The Y scale on the third graph is a joke; that's like a 4% change over 20 years. Wheelbase is not the same as vehicle length.
I don't know if these graphs, again, I don't know what the source is, it's not really provided, but I don't think they're meant to make a specific judgment one way or another.
Well, except the note that cars have gotten bigger while also becoming more efficient.
It explicitly says "on this chart, down is worse".
It is certainly cause for concern when heavier and larger moving objects that are able to reach high speeds quicker are being controlled by increasingly more irresponsible people.
This is why there is an increase in SUVs crashing through shops when grandpa hits the wrong pedal.
0-20 times and 0-60 times are not necessarily closely correlated.
Could argue that's due to a reduction in manual vehicles, or a reduction in driver competence / medical status.
Something that’s twice the weight with twice the horsepower only accelerates the same speed. Double the weight and keep the horsepower and you’ll go half as fast.
The graphs aren’t entirely 100% related to each other. The twice as fast acceleration average isn’t because of the double horsepower, that only works if the weight also isn’t doubles.
EVs have massive torque from zero speed. Horsepower is just a fake number derived from torque. A Model Y is both heavy and makes 500ftlbs torque immediately.
Both are very limited comparability especially between drive types.
Torque was normally measured ahead of the gearbox and that introduces a whole pile of extra messiness.
Power is relevant once you're into higher-speed regimes e.g. merging onto a fast road, overtaking, and climbing hills (especially if towing).
Force-speed or acceleration-speed curves would be nice.
I don't really disagree with your earlier comment, and I agree that the shape of the torque curve matters a lot when it comes to the practicalities and experience of driving a vehicle, but, uhh, what you said here is just completely wrong.
Force and speed (torque and RPM) are both components of power (horsepower is torque * RPM / 5253). Saying that the RPM, or time component, of that equation doesn't matter is the same as saying it wouldn't matter if it takes 10 seconds or 10 years for a crane to lift a load at a construction site, since its lifting the same weight either way.
To put it another way, with a long enough lever I can exert enough force to start a passenger train rolling down the tracks with just my own arms (and in fact, people do something similar using compound levers). But what that doesn't let me do is move a passenger train at 200 MPH like high speed rail lines do. There is no arrangement of gears or mechanical linkages that will let a single human being power a high speed rail line like that, the human body does not have enough power output.
I want to see that chart (a) starting at 0 sq. ft., and (b) going all the way back to the '50s.
Yeah, American cars have had a reputation as 'land yachts' for a long time.
For most cars, higher acceleration I don't think is an issue. However things like the Hummer EV weigh 9,000 pounds and goes from 0-60mph in a smidge over 3 seconds. The amount of damage that can do is insane
The acceleration of Teslas is one reason they have the highest crash rate of any brand. Fucking stupid to give the public more horsepower than a 70s formula one car.