Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => On The Road => Topic started by: ian on 12 September, 2019, 08:35:29 am

Title: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: ian on 12 September, 2019, 08:35:29 am
I was reading the other day about the terrible crash in Berlin where an out-of-control Porsche behemoth killed four and prompted calls to ban these oversized, overpowered cars from German city centres. And at the weekend I saw a woman in tears because she couldn't extract her Range Rover from a parking space. Up the road, someone was doing an 82-point turn trying to get some other variety of SUV into their paved over front garden without taking out the garden wall (that had already lost a chunk from a previously failed attempt). Last night, one passed me doing probably twice the 30 mph speed limit. I would like to say that's unusual. Every commute I seem to see more and more of these vehicles – the growth presumably from easy, low-interest financing. That's a bubble ripe to pop if interest rates rise.

I presume the main urge to buy these things is status and ego-inflation – though given every other car seems to be one and it's not like people are actually paying for them. In the supermarket car park the other week, I had a double-take, some of taken one of those horrid modern swollen Minis and bloated it further into an SUV version. Honestly, you've never seen an uglier vehicle. I'm still not sure I did see it, or whether it was a horrible paroxysm of my imagination. The sort of vehicle you're damned to drive down an endless boulevard in Hell in. With a radio that only tunes to smooth jazz and the inevitable screaming.

But on a serious point, the energy these behemoths impart in a crash is awful. And they have a secondary issue, and that's they make their drivers feel invulnerable, and they're the car of choice for people who think they have something to prove and it empowers them as bullies. And while cars generally may have got more efficient and emissions fallen, that's just been offset by them getting bigger.

I doubt the Germans will be successful in banning them, though I wish them luck. They're completely unsuitable for the road unless you need an actual truck or to drive off-road. I have several friends who have them, it seems a middle-class, middle-age thing. They're not even that comfortable once you've clambered into them, overstuffed as furniture showrooms.

I think in a decade or two, they'll be one of the things people boggle about, really they drive those?

Or I hope. I'd ban them. Or maybe fly around south London in an A10 Warthog and deliver my own justice via an extensive range of ground-to-air munitions and 4000 rounds per minute of sweet, depleted uranium sentiment.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Jaded on 12 September, 2019, 09:04:30 am
Saw a used Rancid Rover for sale at an event I was at last weekend. £125,000 used.  :o

And when you look inside these things, it is only the top of the range that can get four adults inside, and none of them have interesting usefully sized boots. (The vehicles, not the people).
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Greenbank on 12 September, 2019, 09:24:12 am
...
But on a serious point, the energy these behemoths impart in a crash is awful. And they have a secondary issue, and that's they make their drivers feel invulnerable...

It's the kinetic energy arms race.

A silly trope for sure but if you're driving Tilly and Tarquin to/from their school every day you don't want to be in a flimsy Nissan Micra if you get involved in an accident, you want to be in something that comes off least worst. That proliferates and soon the streets are awash with them.

"Have you seen Jemima's parents' car? Simply awful! How irresponsible to drive her around in a Y-reg Citroen Saxo. I don't think we should let Ptolemy be friends with her otherwise he might end up having to get a lift in that terrible thing!"

It's also a status/prestige thing.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: FifeingEejit on 12 September, 2019, 09:55:50 am
Thing is, the size/protection thing largely died shortly after euroNCAP came in.
It's why modern small cars are quite a bit wider than they used to be, because you can't get the side impact stars from a flimsy door.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 September, 2019, 10:31:25 am
That might be correct but the psychological feeling is bigger = more protective. I think Greenbank has hit one of if not the biggest reasons for the popularity of this type of car. Though as always in popularity, a lot of it is simply fashion.

And it's not just Tilly and Tarquin nowadays, it's <insert stereotypical working class name here> too.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 September, 2019, 10:38:18 am
They're completely unsuitable for the road unless you need an actual truck or to drive off-road.
They're not trucks, they don't have much load space, as Jaded's pointed out. And most of them only look like off-roaders. In addition to which, what do people drive on dirt roads? My parents-in-law lived on the edge of a village, surrounded by forest, a kilometre from the nearest paved road, with snow settled for several months of the year. In the distant past they had driven a "Big Fiat", then a clapped out Wartburg, then a late-80s Audio 80. All their neighbours drove similar. And, with appropriate tyres in winter, no one had any trouble on churned up dirt roads.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: trekker12 on 12 September, 2019, 10:59:45 am
It's not just about perceived safety. The 'mini SUV' or whatever fancy marketing term they want to call it is higher up, it provides a perception of being able to see more - which is part of the massive pillar issue created by the NCAP thing - but also you don't have to stoop down to get into the thing. It's apparently more dignified to step up into your vehicle than it is to bend down into it. The boot is higher so you can lift out the tiny amount of shopping you can fit into it without generating a bad back - because you have never learnt to lift things properly - and the children can be lifted into the massive booster seat the law requires, again without stooping.

None of this was a problem when my parents bought cars and I'll never ever ever buy one but the car manufacturers want to tell you it is.

They are all crap off-road because they have the wrong wheels and tyres fitted and firm suspension because proper off-road suspension makes the children in the back queasy as it wobbles around all the time and it has to be really firm because the centre of gravity that high up creates a pendulum effect and the body wobbles around even more than a sensible height car.

I've never been off-road in a SMBT but have done lots of rallying (and other mucking around) in either standard or highly modified hatchbacks and saloons. With the right tyres fitted most people fail to understand what is actually possible even with the most basic suspension. The number of times I hear 'I needed an off-roader because it snows (one day a year here in Suffolk) and I get stuck in my drive' - no, buy winter tyres and learn proper clutch control!
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: ian on 12 September, 2019, 11:12:44 am
I had a Suburu hatchback in the US – in New England where they have actual snow – with snow tyres it was fine. It was traditional on the first snow day to count the SUVs in the roadside ditch as their drivers assumed that, given their vehicle, they could ignore the white stuff.

The problem with the safety angle is that you're likely to crash into another oversized car, and that's more kinetic energy looking for a place to go.

I didn't mention the antisocial angle either, that they're designed to be intimidating to other road users, doubly so for pedestrians and cyclists.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: trekker12 on 12 September, 2019, 11:16:38 am

I didn't mention the antisocial angle either, that they're designed to be intimidating to other road users, doubly so for pedestrians and cyclists.

This, in spades!
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: hellymedic on 12 September, 2019, 11:35:33 am
Tilly, Tarquin and Jemima may only total 50kg in weight between them but their protective child seats require a HUGE vehicle to accommodate them.

(Tilly is 2 and weighs 12kg, Tarquin is 4 and weighs 16kg, Jemima is 7 and weighs 22kg).

Only the pixies on yacf approximate to 50kg and would occupy around the seat width of a single Small Child as they don't need all the padding of kiddy seats.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: grams on 12 September, 2019, 11:50:53 am
Unpopular opinion: These things are only marginally bigger than normal cars, and just about all of the criticisms of them applies equally to any car.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: FifeingEejit on 12 September, 2019, 11:56:12 am
That might be correct but the psychological feeling is bigger = more protective. I think Greenbank has hit one of if not the biggest reasons for the popularity of this type of car. Though as always in popularity, a lot of it is simply fashion.

And it's not just Tilly and Tarquin nowadays, it's <insert stereotypical working class name here> too.

You know my point then, it's a psychological fallacy, I just didn't say it directly.

They're completely unsuitable for the road unless you need an actual truck or to drive off-road.
They're not trucks, they don't have much load space, as Jaded's pointed out. And most of them only look like off-roaders. In addition to which, what do people drive on dirt roads? My parents-in-law lived on the edge of a village, surrounded by forest, a kilometre from the nearest paved road, with snow settled for several months of the year. In the distant past they had driven a "Big Fiat", then a clapped out Wartburg, then a late-80s Audio 80. All their neighbours drove similar. And, with appropriate tyres in winter, no one had any trouble on churned up dirt roads.

Look at old Volvos and SAABs; built with Swedish forest gravel roads and lots of snow in mind.
You don't need huge ground clearance on those sorts of roads, just a bit more than you need on a motorway.
You only huge ground clearance when you re genuinely going off road, i.e. into fields with a bunch of sheep in a trailer on the back.

I've never been off-road in a SMBT but have done lots of rallying (and other mucking around) in either standard or highly modified hatchbacks and saloons. With the right tyres fitted most people fail to understand what is actually possible even with the most basic suspension. The number of times I hear 'I needed an off-roader because it snows (one day a year here in Suffolk) and I get stuck in my drive' - no, buy winter tyres and learn proper clutch control!

The current FIA homologation list (what you're allowed to race in international competition) is published on their website,

https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/toutesvoitures_02.08.2019.pdf

the fact that everything in Groups A and N are normal sized saloon/hatchback/estates and that Group T is Defender/Land Cruiser style off roaders says a lot.

I also hadn't realized the 1.7x multiplier was still applied to forced induction engines.

I had a Suburu hatchback in the US – in New England where they have actual snow – with snow tyres it was fine. It was traditional on the first snow day to count the SUVs in the roadside ditch as their drivers assumed that, given their vehicle, they could ignore the white stuff.

I've got a hothatch with stupidly low ratio 6 speed gearbox; while I do have to shift off in 3rd in snow, and 2nd when its wet it still manages to work considerably better than I expected on winter tyres.
Not as well as the SAAB did right enough but...

And it's not just Tilly and Tarquin nowadays, it's <insert stereotypical working class name here> too.

What about Farquhar?
They usually are little Farquhars
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: rafletcher on 12 September, 2019, 12:03:00 pm
Unpopular opinion: These things are only marginally bigger than normal cars, and just about all of the criticisms of them applies equally to any car.

And not very accurate. Many many cars have a smaller footprint that a full sized Range Rover - although it's true that a Mondeo/Galaxy covers as much real estate. They'll also accommodate as many, if not more, passengers and luggage, and have a far lower mass in the event of an accident, without offering less protection to the occupants. A marvel of modern engineering is just how mangled a car can be - even down to engines coming out - and the passengers walk away.

Our neighbours have one, it's used to take two small children to school. It used to park in their drive (which is between two houses) until the lady driver stopped as she had difficulty doing so, and kept damaging the (very expensive) wing mirrors.  It's now parked, most of the day, in the road in front of their house. This is a single narrow road through a linear village, and the nett result is that a lot of vehicles (refuse, heating oil delivery, John Lewis etc,) end up putting one set of wheels on the grass verge opposite and ruining that.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Kim on 12 September, 2019, 12:10:21 pm
Tilly, Tarquin and Jemima may only total 50kg in weight between them but their protective child seats require a HUGE vehicle to accommodate them.

Exacerbated by car inflation meaning that modern cars are full of plastic, rather than useful space for fitting stuff in like they had up to the early 90s.

I also think there's a psychological factor, particularly amongst female drivers, that's rooted in fear of being lower than the surrounding intimidating vehicles, rather than any actual aggression.  (Some anecdotal correlation with being appalled by the lowness of recumbent bicycles.)


Unpopular opinion: These things are only marginally bigger than normal cars, and just about all of the criticisms of them applies equally to any car.

Being a fan of Fully Charged I've been exposed to rather more wanky Johnny Smith car reviews than I normally would, and have noticed that the terms "SUV" and "Crossover" often get applied to things that I would simply describe as a "Big Car", rather than anything with off-road aspirations.  (Case in point: Tesla Model X.  It looks like a normal modern car in photographs.  When you meet one it's enormous.)  Which isn't to say that they aren't tall enough to be a specific hazard to pedestrians, or have trouble fitting in roads and car parks.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Paul on 12 September, 2019, 12:29:42 pm
Unpopular opinion: These things are only marginally bigger than normal cars, and just about all of the criticisms of them applies equally to any car.

And not very accurate. Many many cars have a smaller footprint that a full sized Range Rover - although it's true that a Mondeo/Galaxy covers as much real estate. They'll also accommodate as many, if not more, passengers and luggage...

Quite.

Just discovered (here: https://www.automobiledimension.com/) that my car (which is actually quite long for a saloon) is quite a bit smaller than a range rover but has the same boot space.

Range Rover: https://www.automobiledimension.com/models/land-rover/range-rover-2018

Seat Toledo: https://www.automobiledimension.com/models/seat/toledo-2012
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: ian on 12 September, 2019, 12:35:58 pm
Tilly, Tarquin and Jemima may only total 50kg in weight between them but their protective child seats require a HUGE vehicle to accommodate them.

(Tilly is 2 and weighs 12kg, Tarquin is 4 and weighs 16kg, Jemima is 7 and weighs 22kg).

Only the pixies on yacf approximate to 50kg and would occupy around the seat width of a single Small Child as they don't need all the padding of kiddy seats.

Though this often seems to be the claim, I don't think this is true, we've fitted a modern baby seat in a teensy Ford Ka and there was space for another (on the other hand, you can't fit a Brompton in the boot and a faff getting them in, but it's a very small car with no rear doors).

If you've ever been in an Audi Q7 (basically a squashed SUV), there's bugger-all actual room inside.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Basil on 12 September, 2019, 12:37:54 pm
There appears to be a reverse Tardis effect with these newer battle ships.
I hired something huge (can't remember what it was called) for the transportation of several aged rellies at my uncle's funeral. I was astonished at how little room there was inside.

Eta.  Hmm. X posted with several people, it would seem.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 September, 2019, 12:38:21 pm
Cars have been getting generally wider and heavier since the early 80s at least but the growth in width seems to be mostly this century. Against that background, SUVs/SMBTs might be only a little wider and no longer than other cars but they are significantly heavier and much taller. Height might not seem important other than for the driver – after all, it doesn't take up more road space and they're not getting stuck under bridges – but in fact it's a detrimental road safety factor. A tall vehicle parked near a junction significantly reduces visibility. Obviously, this is a bigger factor the smaller you are, so children, old people and women (and recumbentists and sports car drivers, I presume) are more disadvantaged by it.

Vehicle height also has a social impact; it creates a barrier, literally, between one side of the street and the other, blocking sight and engagement.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 12 September, 2019, 12:43:20 pm
Some interesting numbers from the US:

https://www.iihs.org/topics/fatality-statistics/detail/passenger-vehicle-occupants

Quote
The likelihood of crash death varies markedly among these vehicle types according to size. Small/light vehicles have less structure and size to absorb crash energy, so crash forces on occupants will be higher. People in lighter vehicles are at a disadvantage in collisions with heavier vehicles. Footnote1 Pickups and SUVs are proportionally more likely than cars to be in fatal single-vehicle crashes, especially rollovers. However, pickups and SUVs generally are heavier than cars, so occupant deaths in SUVs and pickups are less likely to occur in multiple-vehicle crashes.

More SUVs and pickups that roll over too easily = more rollover deaths:

Quote
Rollover crashes accounted for 45 percent of occupant deaths in SUVs and 41 percent in pickups in 2017, compared with 22 percent in cars.

I don't think it is just SUVs that roll over more easily, it seems to be more frequent in modern small cars.

Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: rafletcher on 12 September, 2019, 12:45:30 pm
If you've ever been in an Audi Q7 (basically a squashed SUV), there's bugger-all actual room inside.

Indeed, my A4 cost considerably less than a Q5, and had more usable space.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: ian on 12 September, 2019, 12:52:14 pm
The rollover effect is another reason it was common to see them upturned like metallic tortoises in US roadside ditches.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: grams on 12 September, 2019, 12:53:15 pm
And not very accurate. Many many cars have a smaller footprint that a full sized Range Rover

But very few SMBTs are Range Rovers these days. The “behemoth” from the original post was a Porsche Macan, which is not much different in size and weight to a Mondeo/Toledo/whatever.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Ham on 12 September, 2019, 01:02:43 pm
The other emperor's clothes factor sitting alongside behemoth bloat is the astounding way manufacturers sell their mass produced output as "exclusive".
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: T42 on 12 September, 2019, 01:04:44 pm

I didn't mention the antisocial angle either, that they're designed to be intimidating to other road users, doubly so for pedestrians and cyclists.

This, in spades!

Especially in a convoy of four, all shiny black with darkened windows and Russian CD markings, moving out onto the autoroute in a block.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Paul on 12 September, 2019, 01:09:47 pm
And not very accurate. Many many cars have a smaller footprint that a full sized Range Rover

But very few SMBTs are Range Rovers these days. The “behemoth” from the original post was a Porsche Macan, which is not much different in size and weight to a Mondeo/Toledo/whatever.

https://www.automobiledimension.com/models/porsche/macan-2019

20 cm longer and wider than my Toledo. That's a lot in a parking space.

I can't see the weights.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: ian on 12 September, 2019, 01:11:43 pm
And not very accurate. Many many cars have a smaller footprint that a full sized Range Rover

But very few SMBTs are Range Rovers these days. The “behemoth” from the original post was a Porsche Macan, which is not much different in size and weight to a Mondeo/Toledo/whatever.

Well, let's say all oversized, overpowered modern cars. SUVs are neither sports nor utility vehicles, after all.

Range Rovers of various flavours seem to be breeding fastest at the moment.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: vorsprung on 12 September, 2019, 01:22:10 pm
some car weights

normal cars
vw golf 1211 kg
fiat 500 499
bmw 520 1615

SUVs and chelsea tractors
porsche Cayenne 2060
range rover sport 2144
jeep grand cherokee 2948
toyota land cruiser 3349
mercedes benz gle 2235
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Kim on 12 September, 2019, 01:24:46 pm
Does that mean you can't fill a Landcruiser with stuff unless you've got a special licence?  Perhaps that's the endgame, if the lack of parking room isn't?
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 12 September, 2019, 01:26:20 pm
Compare with the original SUV, the Willys Jeep:
Quote
Wheelbase : 203.2 cm or 80 inches
Length : 332.7 cm or 130.98 inches
Width : 157.5 cm or 62.01 inches
Height : 182.9 cm or 72.01 inches

Curb Weight : 1113 kg OR 2454 lbs
Weight-Power Output Ratio : 20.6 kg/hp
https://www.ultimatespecs.com/car-specs/Willys-Overland/23043/Willys-Overland-Jeep-MB.html
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: ian on 12 September, 2019, 01:29:48 pm
A Range Rover seems to come out, on average, at 2,500 kg. Not including the weight of the driver, which tends to be substantial.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: vorsprung on 12 September, 2019, 01:33:43 pm
Presumably the amount of kinetic energy to kill someone would be lower with a big vehicle

Usually the figure quoted is that at 30mph there is quite a high kill rate, but this is reduced as speed goes down: so a 20 mph limit will help a lot

Someone better at maths and physics can work it out properly but when I did various sums I came to the conclusion in a collision that a 1 tonne (1000Kg) car at 50kph is the same as a 2 tonne car at 31 kph

So reducing the speed limit to 20mph won't help if you are unfortunate enough to be hit by one of these
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: grams on 12 September, 2019, 01:53:04 pm
That would be the correct maths for if the vehicle was brought to a stop by hitting you, having imparted all of its kinetic energy into your body.

What more likely happens is you go flying and the vehicle's speed is barely affected. It only imparts a tiny proportion of its KE into you, so it kind of doesn't matter if it's 1 ton or 2 tons behind it.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: DuncanM on 12 September, 2019, 01:58:11 pm
I suspect the fairest way to compare vehicles, would be comparing small car with small "crossover", and so on. I would bet money that the sizes are comparable because they are basically the same car eg a Nissan Juke is a Micra on stilts. On that basis, the correct comparison for a Range Rover (5m x 1.99m) would be a BMW 7 series (5.12m x 1.90m).

The only argument I can make for a "crossover" is that a higher seat is useful for people with limited mobility. My mother in law would not be able to get into our car as she has bad hips, but she can get into their quashquai.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Diver300 on 12 September, 2019, 02:28:50 pm
some car weights

normal cars
vw golf 1211 kg
fiat 500 499
bmw 520 1615

SUVs and chelsea tractors
porsche Cayenne 2060
range rover sport 2144
jeep grand cherokee 2948
toyota land cruiser 3349
mercedes benz gle 2235

The current Fiat 500 is about 1000 kg kerb weight, which is about the norm for small cars now.
The 1957 - 1975 Fiat 500 had a kerb weight of 499 kg.

I would't describe a 44+ year old car with a 2-cylinder engine of less than 600 cc as "normal".


Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Beardy on 12 September, 2019, 02:53:21 pm
I have a ‘Biggy’ (as #1 son refers to my Mini Paceman). I bought it because I like the look and coming from a series of people carries, which I no longer need, I couldn’t face being low down. I’m a big chap in any case, and many cars, not just small ones, are awkward to get in and out of and damned uncomfortable to drive. I also like the extra shoulder room it affords without the need to go for a much larger car. It’s our only car so it has to fill the long journeys on motorways role as well as the local runabout role. So all in all, it’s just about perfect for our needs.
I’m really not sure what I’ll get next because Mini have stopped manufacturing them, and there’s not really much I fancy in my price range. Given how often I change my cars though, I don’t think, it’s going to be an issue for a while yet. 
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: rafletcher on 12 September, 2019, 02:59:05 pm
That would be the correct maths for if the vehicle was brought to a stop by hitting you, having imparted all of its kinetic energy into your body.

What more likely happens is you go flying and the vehicle's speed is barely affected. It only imparts a tiny proportion of its KE into you, so it kind of doesn't matter if it's 1 ton or 2 tons behind it.

I think I'd be better off rolling over the low bonnet of a conventional saloon / hatchback, that being clouted by the slab front of a Range Rover.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Paul on 12 September, 2019, 03:00:11 pm
That would be the correct maths for if the vehicle was brought to a stop by hitting you, having imparted all of its kinetic energy into your body.

What more likely happens is you go flying and the vehicle's speed is barely affected. It only imparts a tiny proportion of its KE into you, so it kind of doesn't matter if it's 1 ton or 2 tons behind it.
Well, I find that hard to believe (but admit to no expertise) and I know which one I’d rather be hit by.

The other factor for targets in this comparison is the height of the vehicle. The higher up the impact the more damaging it can be, I understand.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: matthew on 12 September, 2019, 03:01:59 pm
I refer you back to the issues with Marlow bridge and the HGV induced damage. This resulted in stricter enforcement of the 3.5 tonne weight limit and some very irate X5 drivers who got turned back or fined.

https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=63751.msg2225555#msg2225555 (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=63751.msg2225555#msg2225555)

And more recently:

https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/17637098.56-drivers-slapped-with-fines-for-driving-overweight-vehicles-across-marlow-bridge/ (https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/17637098.56-drivers-slapped-with-fines-for-driving-overweight-vehicles-across-marlow-bridge/)

We obviously just need a 3.5 tonne weight limit on residential roads with appropriate exceptions for deliveries, removals, and garbage trucks.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: ian on 12 September, 2019, 03:03:31 pm
Another thing, of course, is that while they may be safer for the occupants, they're not so for other road users – and given their intimidating nature, discourage other users from the roads and pavements. Which might, for the wrong reasons, keep the death and injury rates down.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 12 September, 2019, 03:14:44 pm
Another thing, of course, is that while they may be safer for the occupants, they're not so for other road users – and given their intimidating nature, discourage other users from the roads and pavements. Which might, for the wrong reasons, keep the death and injury rates down.

https://eu.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2019/02/28/pedestrian-safety-crisis-deaths-ghsa/2993321002/

Quote
Pedestrian deaths are up 51.5 percent since hitting a low of 4,109 in 2009, according to GHSA. They now make up 16 percent of all road deaths, up from 12 percent in 2009.

Quote
The GHSA reported that the number of pedestrian deaths involving SUVs increased by 50 percent from 2013 through 2017, while the number of pedestrian deaths caused by passenger cars increased by 30 percent over that same period. That reflects booming sales of SUVs and the fact that pedestrians are much less likely to survive the impact of an SUV.

Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: rafletcher on 12 September, 2019, 03:19:52 pm

We obviously just need a 3.5 tonne weight limit on residential roads with appropriate exceptions for deliveries, removals, and garbage trucks.

They also exceed the weight limits as stated in all the car parks in our local town - intended to prevent commercial vehicles parking there. No-one is enforcing that at present
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 12 September, 2019, 03:23:51 pm
some car weights

normal cars
vw golf 1211 kg
fiat 500 499
bmw 520 1615

SUVs and chelsea tractors
porsche Cayenne 2060
range rover sport 2144
jeep grand cherokee 2948
toyota land cruiser 3349
mercedes benz gle 2235

That is bonkers.
We have a citroen xsara picasso. It is 'large inside'; we have moved sofas with it. Last sunday I observed that the 5.2m kayak on the roof rack barely overhung the ends.

Kerb weight 1300kg
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: mike on 12 September, 2019, 04:50:07 pm
I've spent some time driving a friends volvo xc90 and it's terrifying until you get used to the momentum - 2.5 tonnes, a big engine and an automatic gearbox means almost no engine braking. It's also stupidly wide and almost impossible to park. She bought it because 'nobody has died in an XC90'

It did take 2 adults & 4 big teenagers and a weeks worth of surfing gear to cornwall with almost no complaints though.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: FifeingEejit on 12 September, 2019, 05:47:14 pm

We obviously just need a 3.5 tonne weight limit on residential roads with appropriate exceptions for deliveries, removals, and garbage trucks.

They also exceed the weight limits as stated in all the car parks in our local town - intended to prevent commercial vehicles parking there. No-one is enforcing that at present

What is the signage? There are signs for
All vehicle weight restriction
(https://assets.digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk/media/55b9ffe8e5274a151e00002c/sign-giving-order-no-vehicles-max-gross-weight.jpg)

All vehicle Vehicle Maximum Axle mass restriction
(https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/images/1/19/Axle_weight_limit_sign_-_Coppermine_-_18481.jpg)

Commercial vehicle weight restriction.
(http://safetybox.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/650x650/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/2/r/2r119_1.jpg)

For the later the vehicles class is important.
i.e. A motorhome or an SUV are not normally registered as commercial vehicles
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Exit Stage Left on 12 September, 2019, 06:16:40 pm
My sole 4 wheeled vehicle is a 1989 Land Rover 127 Tipper. It weighs 2.4 tonnes unladen. It's about 2 metres wide. Like all proper Land Rovers, it's sheer misery to drive, but kids love them for some weird reason.

It's surprising that there are very few proper working 4WD vehicles on general sale. The basic chassis of many of the vehicles would seem to be suitable, but they aren't offered. The big Toyota Hi Luxes are better than many, as they have more room in the back of the double cab versions.

Most of the one ton pickups in the world are made in Thailand, and the rear legroom reflects that. The big Ford Rangers are from South Africa too, and they've taken the utility market, now that Land Rover don't do the Defender.

The weight for the Land Cruiser upthread is fully laden, The kerb weight is lower. Land Cruisers are pretty capable, and are ideal if you've got a digger to deliver across a field, as they can tow 3 tonnes with ease. My Land Rover is rated to tow 3.5 tonnes, but it is a light truck. I will always choose to park it next to the most 'macho' 4WD I can find in the supermarket car park.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: nicknack on 12 September, 2019, 06:25:10 pm
I may have a mini SUV. It's a Fiat 500L. It's a vehicle. It's quite useful but not remotely sporty (1400cc). It is considerably larger than the old 500s but it ain’t exactly huge. It's the same length and width as the car it replaced - a Peugeot 307 - but has a higher roof. It also manages to have more room inside.
I don't think it's very intimidating.
I quite like it.
So there.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: rafletcher on 12 September, 2019, 08:19:29 pm

We obviously just need a 3.5 tonne weight limit on residential roads with appropriate exceptions for deliveries, removals, and garbage trucks.

They also exceed the weight limits as stated in all the car parks in our local town - intended to prevent commercial vehicles parking there. No-one is enforcing that at present

What is the signage? There are signs for


It’s just in the text t’s & c’s on the signs listing the charges.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: matthew on 13 September, 2019, 11:03:06 am

We obviously just need a 3.5 tonne weight limit on residential roads with appropriate exceptions for deliveries, removals, and garbage trucks.

They also exceed the weight limits as stated in all the car parks in our local town - intended to prevent commercial vehicles parking there. No-one is enforcing that at present

What is the signage? There are signs for
All vehicle weight restriction
(https://assets.digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk/media/55b9ffe8e5274a151e00002c/sign-giving-order-no-vehicles-max-gross-weight.jpg)


Marlow bridge is one of these 3T limit
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Exit Stage Left on 13 September, 2019, 11:27:30 am
What I actually want is a 130 inch wheelbase version of the Troller T4. That's a proper off roader made in Brazil, based on the Ford Ranger, so parts would be easy.
https://www.carthrottle.com/post/the-ford-troller-t4-is-a-tough-and-plucky-brazilian-4x4-we-need-in-the-uk/
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: FifeingEejit on 13 September, 2019, 11:44:14 am
It’s just in the text t’s & c’s on the signs listing the charges.

Ah so illegal to park but not drive through!
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: trekker12 on 13 September, 2019, 12:54:13 pm
I may have a mini SUV. It's a Fiat 500L. It's a vehicle. It's quite useful but not remotely sporty (1400cc). It is considerably larger than the old 500s but it ain’t exactly huge. It's the same length and width as the car it replaced - a Peugeot 307 - but has a higher roof. It also manages to have more room inside.
I don't think it's very intimidating.
I quite like it.
So there.

To be fair, a car like that is certainly not intimidating. I'd rather have you behind me than a BMW, Mercedes or Audi saloon, all of which will be bigger and heavier. It's a bit taller and longer than a normal Fiat 500 and the large Mini is similar. The main thread which has drifted slightly referred to the giant tanks that seem to be required by some. I'm looking outside the office window at the huge Volvo X70 with a slab of a grill my boss drives. I think it's more that type of vehicle the OP was concerned with.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Randy_Butternubs on 14 September, 2019, 09:46:25 pm
...
But on a serious point, the energy these behemoths impart in a crash is awful. And they have a secondary issue, and that's they make their drivers feel invulnerable...

It's the kinetic energy arms race.

A silly trope for sure but if you're driving Tilly and Tarquin to/from their school every day you don't want to be in a flimsy Nissan Micra if you get involved in an accident, you want to be in something that comes off least worst. That proliferates and soon the streets are awash with them.

"Have you seen Jemima's parents' car? Simply awful! How irresponsible to drive her around in a Y-reg Citroen Saxo. I don't think we should let Ptolemy be friends with her otherwise he might end up having to get a lift in that terrible thing!"

It's also a status/prestige thing.

This exactly. Someone I know made some backhanded comment to a friend for driving his family around in a Toyota Yaris; something about not putting the safety of his family first. This guy drives his family around in some massive Volvo tank or other.

Unfortunately, due to the extremely high price of these vehicles he can't afford a good one and he can't afford to maintain it properly. They are constantly having major failures, including brake failure on the motorway. You can't put a price on safety though  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 September, 2019, 12:28:39 pm
Quote
A reported 25,000 people turned up to protest Frankfurt's IAA car show yesterday, with cyclists blocking the entrance


Sand im Getriebe, an environmental protest group, say an estimated 25,000 people turned out to protest against the German car industry at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt at the weekend, with protestors on bikes blocking the entrance on masse. With sales of large cars such as SUVs on the rise in Germany, Sand im Getriebe say on their website(link is external) they are demonstrating against the damage caused to the environment by motor vehicles, and are campaigning for "car-free cities, more space for walking and cycling as well as developed and free public transport."


MonkeyWrenchGang
@M_WrenchGang
The German branch #SandImGetriebe (Sand in the engine) seems inspired by Edward Abbey.

25.000 people took over the roads and blocked the entrances of the Frankfurter Car Show.

Yeah! #Monkeywrenching the machine!


111
7:32 PM - Sep 15, 2019
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49 people are talking about this
The Frankfurt car show blockage was the latest in a number of protests that have taken place in Germany recently against pollution and the damage to the environment/danger posed by large vehicles such as SUVs. Berlin mayor Stephan von Dassel recently tweeted(link is external) that "such tank-like vehicles (SUVs) have no place on our streets" after a driver ploughed into a crowd of pedestrians, killing four. It's also been reported that anarchists have been burning luxury SUVs around Berlin in protest.
https://road.cc/content/news/266597-live-blog-australian-cyclist-dies-trying-escape-attack-swooping-magpie-driver

I haven't seen this reported anywhere else, but maybe I haven't been looking. As a titchy side point, I don't think this is really Edward Abbey-style; if that were the case, they would literally be putting Sand im Getriebe (sand in the works), or cutting things down and blowing them up.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Phil W on 16 September, 2019, 01:41:42 pm


This guy drives his family around in some massive Volvo tank or other.


In other words sticking two fingers up at the safety of others.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Redlight on 16 September, 2019, 03:26:33 pm


This guy drives his family around in some massive Volvo tank or other.


In other words sticking two fingers up at the safety of others.

Not if he is driving safely. The ones sticking two fingers up are the ones who drive their huge cars as if they were auditioning for an oversized remake of The Italian Job. Setting aside the enivronmental impacts, of which we are all aware, there's nothing inherently unsafe about driving an oversized vehicle. 
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: perpetual dan on 16 September, 2019, 06:13:01 pm
Although as soon as they fail to be perfect, or have to respond to the unexpected a wider, heavier, higher car leaves less space to work with, more energy in the impact and poorer handling. Or was that your point?

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Exit Stage Left on 16 September, 2019, 07:29:10 pm
We've got lots these big powerful SUVs in the Ribble Valley. That's a big centre for little complexes of barn conversion/ farmhouses. So at the end of each long approach drive there will be three of them. They do get real weather, and the owners have high-powered jobs in nearby cities and towns, so there's an argument for them. They are seen as vulgar though, anyone with taste has an Audi Allroad, or a Subaru. But they are good for towing horse boxes.

As it's also the real countryside, there are also milk lorries, and they really do take no prisoners.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Kim on 16 September, 2019, 08:01:42 pm
an oversized remake of The Italian Job

They did that in 2003.  It was shit.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: mattc on 16 September, 2019, 08:30:16 pm
We've got lots these big powerful SUVs in the Ribble Valley. That's a big centre for little complexes of barn conversion/ farmhouses. So at the end of each long approach drive there will be three of them. They do get real weather, and the owners have high-powered jobs in nearby cities and towns, so there's an argument for them. They are seen as vulgar though, anyone with taste has an Audi Allroad, or a Subaru. But they are good for towing horse boxes.

Sounds exactly like the Henley-on-Thames area. real weather? yup, usually several frosty mornings every winter.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Redlight on 16 September, 2019, 10:02:43 pm
Although as soon as they fail to be perfect, or have to respond to the unexpected a wider, heavier, higher car leaves less space to work with, more energy in the impact and poorer handling. Or was that your point?

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

It was. They have to be driven with care - but so does a tractor  ;)
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: ian on 16 September, 2019, 10:28:25 pm
Yes, but there's no emphasis on care because there's no need to be, these vehicles are designed to encourage the perception (real or not) of invulnerability. That's, in part, how they are marketed.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 16 September, 2019, 11:01:43 pm
Most of my off-road driving was done in youthful driving days New South Wales, whenever I ventured beyond the Black Stump, where even the main highways were gravel roads.  All done in a Datsun 120Y (Nissan Sunny) with 110 (4 1/4inch) tyres and rear wheel drive.  If I recall correctly it weighed about 800Kg or 1/3 of the typical Chelsea Behemoth. 

There was one particular occasion where I crested a rise and hit a patch of soft gravel at speed and ended up going sideways.  The vehicle's light weight and fortunate reflexes had me back on a straight line after an impressive fishtail.  I suspect a larger, heavier, and taller vehicle would have used its extra momentum to send me rolling into the hefty gum trees on the left or right. 
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Exit Stage Left on 17 September, 2019, 12:25:28 am
We've got lots these big powerful SUVs in the Ribble Valley. That's a big centre for little complexes of barn conversion/ farmhouses. So at the end of each long approach drive there will be three of them. They do get real weather, and the owners have high-powered jobs in nearby cities and towns, so there's an argument for them. They are seen as vulgar though, anyone with taste has an Audi Allroad, or a Subaru. But they are good for towing horse boxes.

Sounds exactly like the Henley-on-Thames area. real weather? yup, usually several frosty mornings every winter.

Admittedly we are in the Ribble Valley constituency, rather than the district, until the next election at least. But Ribble Valley tops out at about 1,400 feet in terms of mountain passes. There'll be some idiot with a job in Lancaster who bought a house in Summer the wrong side of one of those. We live in the bit that's about 75 feet above sea-level, a mile from the M6/M65/M61, so we have little sympathy, although we are deeply empathic, obviously.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: ElyDave on 24 September, 2019, 08:59:21 am
I've spent some time driving a friends volvo xc90 and it's terrifying until you get used to the momentum - 2.5 tonnes, a big engine and an automatic gearbox means almost no engine braking. It's also stupidly wide and almost impossible to park. She bought it because 'nobody has died in an XC90'

It did take 2 adults & 4 big teenagers and a weeks worth of surfing gear to cornwall with almost no complaints though.

Interesting you mention the engine braking.  we have a 30mph limit in our village, reduced last year from 40.  In my aging LR Disco 2, I know that if I'm at 50 coming up the road, adn take my foot of the loud pedal at a particular point on the road I'll be at 30mph at the sign. In my wife's new Seat Alhambra MPV, also automatic, that just doesn't happen.  Seems to me to be more aerodynamics than engine braking.

I know I'm not necessarily in the mainstream here, but I want a large car with large loadspace and am extremely conscious of the scale and momentum of the thing when I drive it, i'd say that I've become much more cautious since I've had this due to that. I'm now contemplating replacing it, but also considering a larger vehicle, not necesarily quite this big, but still big enough for a camping load with a bike on a towbar-rack.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: MattH on 28 September, 2019, 04:05:37 pm
At the risk of being ostracised from yacf, nowadays my four wheeled vehicle is a full fat range rover (L322), which is shorter and only an inch or so wider than our other four wheel vehicle, MrsH's LWB T5 Transporter. The T5 is WAV converted with tail lift and capable of taking two chairs in line in the back plus three other seats alongside them - she bought this as she is a teacher in a SLD/PMLD school. It is easier if she can use her own vehicle sometimes as the high top school minibuses won't fit into many car parks and the school car only takes one chair. Bizarrely the RR is the more fuel efficient of the two on a run.

Mine does spend more time with mud or grass under the wheels than tarmac. Within a couple of days of buying it it was pulling a loaded trailer weighing about 3000kg across a field. There's not much else that can do that, other than Land Rover. Air suspension makes hitching things up effortless, without needing to crank on a jockey wheel. Drop the RR low, back up, raise the suspension to full to engage the hitch, drop it to normal and drive off.

The 150kg nose weight limit on the tow hitch means I can carry a small motorbike on a rack on the hitch rather than using a trailer - so I can use the RR to cross the country then use it for what it does best (carrying loads in the back and pulling things off road), leaving it where I'm working and using the bike as a runaround if I'm too far from anywhere to manage with a pushbike thrown inside.

Used for what they designed to do in the 70s, they are a very practical vehicle and older ones aren't massively expensive to buy or run if you are happy with spanners. For commuting, the school run or trips to the supermarket, not so much - even with 360 degree cameras they are a bit of a handful to park in small spaces if you aren't used to driving a van (which is pretty much what they are). I'm struggling to find any reason to own a Velar or Evoque, as even the badge snobbery doesn't exist now anyone can own one on PCP. I still prefer to use the right tool for the job, so the vast majority (>90%) of my annual mileage is on two wheels powered or unpowered as I don't need people, load carrying or off-road capability. The RR only comes out when I need to pull or carry.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Jurek on 28 September, 2019, 04:27:08 pm
FWIW, for some time, many years ago, I used a RR for work.
It is something that they do remarkably well.
Work.
ETA - Mostly towing.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: DuncanM on 02 October, 2019, 04:51:17 pm
This thread is generally about the inability of the populace to choose the right vehicle for the job. Sounds to me like you have MattH.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: FifeingEejit on 02 October, 2019, 05:25:34 pm
I spent a period of around 10 minutes last night sitting in an autotest spec Toyota Starlet with a dead alternator being dragged along the road by a Mitsibushi L200.
The lack of big bumpered SAABs was then keenly felt as I had to shove the thing up the drive way where once we would just have shunted it.

Sometimes it's handy to be the neighbour with the ridiculous vehicles...
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Zipperhead on 03 October, 2019, 02:25:05 pm
From this article in the Grauniad -
Collision course: why are cars killing more and more pedestrians? (https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/oct/03/collision-course-pedestrian-deaths-rising-driverless-cars)

And more Americans than ever are zipping around in SUVs and pickup trucks, which, thanks to their height, weight and shape are between two and three times more likely to kill people they hit.

Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Mr Larrington on 03 October, 2019, 03:21:00 pm
No great surprise there.  Fnord are stopping sales of "cars" over there altogether, barring the Mustang, to concentrate on SUVs, pickups and "crossovers".
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 03 October, 2019, 04:41:33 pm
When I was on holiday in America last year we got a 4.6 or similar size engine pick up. It was classed as a mid sized vehicle
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: ian on 03 October, 2019, 09:23:23 pm
From this article in the Grauniad -
Collision course: why are cars killing more and more pedestrians? (https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/oct/03/collision-course-pedestrian-deaths-rising-driverless-cars)

And more Americans than ever are zipping around in SUVs and pickup trucks, which, thanks to their height, weight and shape are between two and three times more likely to kill people they hit.

Yes, but soon there will be no pedestrians, so all will be good. We'll all be greasing up and levering our wheezing, wobbling, ventripotent bulks into our wheeled behemoths so we can struggle to megastores surrounded by an airport-sized car park to buy tortilla chips in bags big enough to sleep in.

But to be serious, any decline in road deaths and injuries these days seems to come about from scaring off more vulnerable road users. Or killing them. They'll learn one way or the other.

Frankly, unless you've a genuine need to tow an elephant or something, I think the average urban owner of one of these massive vehicles is probably being a bit of a cunt. And if it's a marque of Range Rover, definitely a cunt.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Exit Stage Left on 03 October, 2019, 09:58:34 pm
The genesis of SUVs in the US and EU is actually fairly complex. SUVs were a replacement for the 'full size' US cars following the Corporate Average Fuel Economy legislation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporate_average_fuel_economy#SUVs_and_minivans_created_due_to_original_mandate

In the UK a four door pickup with a capacity of one tonne has 'Benefit in Kind' advantages for the self-employed, hence lots of high-spec trucks of that type.

Those two factors have made vehicles of the type widely available, and 'style conscious' buyers have found them widely available, and affordable. I'm in a tiny segment of buyers who go for ex-utility 4x4s. Those used to be Land Rovers, but are now Fords or Toyotas, the ones made in South Africa, not Thailand.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Steph on 04 October, 2019, 07:40:37 am
Two minor points.

My former brother in law has a Toyota Hilux Surf. Usable interior space is zero.

The Graun used to do a Saturday 'random statistic' map. Once, the stat was "Likelihood your first car was 4WD"

High probability in rural Scotlandland, Powys, Northumberland, etc. And Chelsea.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: ian on 04 October, 2019, 10:41:15 am
My theory is that you're planning to, say, invade the Crimea, you need a tank. If you're planning to go shopping at Sainsbury's, you don't.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: perpetual dan on 04 October, 2019, 02:39:35 pm
And if you're only invading the Crimea occssionally, then you retain the element of surprise by not manoeuvring your tank every time you go to the shops.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: ElyDave on 04 October, 2019, 02:50:32 pm
From this article in the Grauniad -
Collision course: why are cars killing more and more pedestrians? (https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/oct/03/collision-course-pedestrian-deaths-rising-driverless-cars)

And more Americans than ever are zipping around in SUVs and pickup trucks, which, thanks to their height, weight and shape are between two and three times more likely to kill people they hit.

Yes, but soon there will be no pedestrians, so all will be good. We'll all be greasing up and levering our wheezing, wobbling, ventripotent bulks into our wheeled behemoths so we can struggle to megastores surrounded by an airport-sized car park to buy tortilla chips in bags big enough to sleep in.

But to be serious, any decline in road deaths and injuries these days seems to come about from scaring off more vulnerable road users. Or killing them. They'll learn one way or the other.

Frankly, unless you've a genuine need to tow an elephant or something, I think the average urban owner of one of these massive vehicles is probably being a bit of a cunt. And if it's a marque of Range Rover, definitely a cunt.

As I have a marque of Land Rover, I must just be a bit of a cunt
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 October, 2019, 03:13:26 pm
And if you're only invading the Crimea occssionally, then you retain the element of surprise by not manoeuvring your tank every time you go to the shops.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
Or you could call your tank Florence and hide it under a sign 'Beware of the Lampart'.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Exit Stage Left on 04 October, 2019, 03:26:14 pm


As I have a marque of Land Rover, I must just be a bit of a cunt

Like anyone else I count myself as the product of a cunt and a dick, with the cunt being the more important part. I can't see how that relates to the vehicle you drive.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: hellymedic on 05 October, 2019, 12:56:53 pm
My theory is that you're planning to, say, invade the Crimea, you need a tank. If you're planning to go shopping at Sainsbury's, you don't.

If the main reason you have a car is your weekly trip to Sainsbury's you are wasting loadsmoney! A year's Anytime Delivery Pass is £60 a year for online shopping but if you prefer to do your own shoppnig cabs are MUCH more economical.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: handcyclist on 05 October, 2019, 02:17:10 pm
I have a SMBT and a bike.

I shop by bike  ;D
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Kim on 05 October, 2019, 02:56:09 pm
Bike has the distinct advantage for shopping of being bike-rack-to-door, rather than middle-of-car-park to halfway-up-the-hill-on-the-other-side-of-the-street.  Which is what I tend to point out to non-cyclists when they comment on how much stuff I'm loading onto the bike.

You can't car your way out of parking problems.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: fuzzy on 05 October, 2019, 11:54:58 pm
In the vein of never take a knife to a gunfight- never take a Micra to a car crash.....
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Pickled Onion on 06 October, 2019, 09:11:33 am
Bike has the distinct advantage for shopping of being bike-rack-to-door, rather than middle-of-car-park to halfway-up-the-hill-on-the-other-side-of-the-street.  Which is what I tend to point out to non-cyclists when they comment on how much stuff I'm loading onto the bike.

You can't car your way out of parking problems.

To door? When your shopping has wheels on it can carry on to the kitchen. If shopping for more than can fit on a bike, the same applies if you get it delivered and ask the delivery person to bring it in.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: ian on 06 October, 2019, 06:46:09 pm
From this article in the Grauniad -
Collision course: why are cars killing more and more pedestrians? (https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/oct/03/collision-course-pedestrian-deaths-rising-driverless-cars)

And more Americans than ever are zipping around in SUVs and pickup trucks, which, thanks to their height, weight and shape are between two and three times more likely to kill people they hit.

Yes, but soon there will be no pedestrians, so all will be good. We'll all be greasing up and levering our wheezing, wobbling, ventripotent bulks into our wheeled behemoths so we can struggle to megastores surrounded by an airport-sized car park to buy tortilla chips in bags big enough to sleep in.

But to be serious, any decline in road deaths and injuries these days seems to come about from scaring off more vulnerable road users. Or killing them. They'll learn one way or the other.

Frankly, unless you've a genuine need to tow an elephant or something, I think the average urban owner of one of these massive vehicles is probably being a bit of a cunt. And if it's a marque of Range Rover, definitely a cunt.

As I have a marque of Land Rover, I must just be a bit of a cunt

I dunno. Are you towing elephants or planning to invade a neighbouring country? Those are your get-out clauses.

We do the shopping by car, though it's a Ka, so about the size of the trolley. I suppose we could get it delivered but it's a pain in the arse since I'm a random shopper and I don't know what I want until I see it.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Torslanda on 06 October, 2019, 08:57:07 pm
Quote
I'm looking outside the office window at the huge Volvo X70 with a slab of a grill my boss drives.

The X(C?)70 is a medium sized estate car with AWD and about a 30mm lift over the vanilla version. It's the same size as a Mondeo (07 on) estate and shares a lot of that car's underpinnings.

Not a SMBT at all.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Kim on 06 October, 2019, 10:18:53 pm
Bike has the distinct advantage for shopping of being bike-rack-to-door, rather than middle-of-car-park to halfway-up-the-hill-on-the-other-side-of-the-street.  Which is what I tend to point out to non-cyclists when they comment on how much stuff I'm loading onto the bike.

You can't car your way out of parking problems.

To door? When your shopping has wheels on it can carry on to the kitchen.

We live in the world's least wheelchair accessible house, and a Y-frame large won't fit through a standard door frame unless you unload it and turn it sideways.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: FifeingEejit on 07 October, 2019, 07:43:33 am
You can't car your way out of parking problems.

No, but you can time your way out of parking problems, shopping at 2am when even the shelf stacking activity is reduced is much less stressful.

The down side is you have to use self service between midnight and 6am.

Edit: Alcomahol drinkers may see it otherways.


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Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: DuncanM on 07 October, 2019, 09:31:38 am
https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/oct/07/a-deadly-problem-should-we-ban-suvs-from-our-cities
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: trekker12 on 07 October, 2019, 10:02:26 am
Quote
I'm looking outside the office window at the huge Volvo X70 with a slab of a grill my boss drives.

The X(C?)70 is a medium sized estate car with AWD and about a 30mm lift over the vanilla version. It's the same size as a Mondeo (07 on) estate and shares a lot of that car's underpinnings.

Not a SMBT at all.

Alright it's an XC90, which shows how much interest I have in the thing
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: trekker12 on 07 October, 2019, 10:12:18 am
You can't car your way out of parking problems.

No, but you can time your way out of parking problems, shopping at 2am when even the shelf stacking activity is reduced is much less stressful.

The down side is you have to use self service between midnight and 6am.

Edit: Alcomahol drinkers may see it otherways.


Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Sainsbury's was quiet at 9 o clock on Saturday evening. It was quite a depressing experience though. Better that than trying at 10 o clock on a wet Sunday morning which is why we did it (and yes we drove)
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: FifeingEejit on 07 October, 2019, 10:56:12 am
You can't car your way out of parking problems.

No, but you can time your way out of parking problems, shopping at 2am when even the shelf stacking activity is reduced is much less stressful.

The down side is you have to use self service between midnight and 6am.

Edit: Alcomahol drinkers may see it otherways.


Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Sainsbury's was quiet at 9 o clock on Saturday evening. It was quite a depressing experience though. Better that than trying at 10 o clock on a wet Sunday morning which is why we did it (and yes we drove)
I possibly see shopping as an important survival function and therefore don't care about the enjoyment factor.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Kim on 07 October, 2019, 11:26:18 am
You can't car your way out of parking problems.

No, but you can time your way out of parking problems, shopping at 2am when even the shelf stacking activity is reduced is much less stressful.

During term time, our road's just as clogged with parked cars at 2am as it is during the day.  I've rarely had trouble parking at a supermarket, you just have to walk a little further (which is fine when you've got a trolley to carry all the stuff in one go).
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 07 October, 2019, 01:41:42 pm
I loved a Mercedes wank panzer yesterday. Absolutely shattered and 2km left to finish of the event and got tucked in behind one for a while to shield from the hideous headwind that genuinely had swung  around to be a headwind all day
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: grams on 07 October, 2019, 01:48:20 pm
During term time, our road's just as clogged with parked cars at 2am as it is during the day.  I've rarely had trouble parking at a supermarket, you just have to walk a little further (which is fine when you've got a trolley to carry all the stuff in one go).

You could surely double park for a bit to unload at 2 am.

Or you could just go by bike in the daytime.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: FifeingEejit on 07 October, 2019, 01:49:37 pm
You can't car your way out of parking problems.

No, but you can time your way out of parking problems, shopping at 2am when even the shelf stacking activity is reduced is much less stressful.

During term time, our road's just as clogged with parked cars at 2am as it is during the day.  I've rarely had trouble parking at a supermarket, you just have to walk a little further (which is fine when you've got a trolley to carry all the stuff in one go).

Ah I forget, not everyone has the advantage of off street parking at home.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Kim on 07 October, 2019, 04:13:17 pm
During term time, our road's just as clogged with parked cars at 2am as it is during the day.  I've rarely had trouble parking at a supermarket, you just have to walk a little further (which is fine when you've got a trolley to carry all the stuff in one go).

You could surely double park for a bit to unload at 2 am.

There are some double-yellow lines I tend to use for that sort of thing (well, things that are more unwieldy than shopping), but usually I just...

Quote
just go by bike in the daytime.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: sojournermike on 07 October, 2019, 06:10:44 pm
Sorry not to be in touch, but what is an SMBT?

In terms of weight, some of my past vehicles have included:


TVR 1600M          850kgs?
Nissan 200SX    1,249kgs
Nissan Primera  1,300kgs
MG ZT260         1,770kgs (ouch!)
Peugeot 107         850kgs
Peugeot 309         900kgs
Volvo XC70 (P2) 1,714kgs  - currently sitting outside looking unloved
Tesla Model 3     1,847kgs (ouch, but it does carry c.500kgs of batteries everywhere)

I was quite taken aback to find an e-tron weighs over 2.5 tonnes and an i-pace 2.2 tonnes...


Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Kim on 07 October, 2019, 06:43:22 pm
Sorry not to be in touch, but what is an SMBT?

Suburban Main Battle Tank, presumably.  Not to be confused with an SMGT, which is a marginally heavier (and much more fun to ride) touring bike.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: The French Tandem on 07 October, 2019, 07:37:43 pm
Unpopular opinion: These things are only marginally bigger than normal cars, and just about all of the criticisms of them applies equally to any car.

Indeed, all cars are getting bigger, heavier, partly due to crash regulations, partly due to, errr, other reasons.
Volkswagen Golf MK1, 1974: 790 to 970 kg
Volkswagen Golf Mk7,  2015: 1400 to 1500 kg
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Tim Hall on 07 October, 2019, 07:46:23 pm
For various new job related reasons, I'm,  temporarily,  driving a Nissan Navara pickup. It's huge, too big for some parking spaces, drinks diesel like me downing a pint on a Friday night. I'll be pleased when my Proper Car gets here.

I do keep a Bendy Bike in the pick up bit, so I  can cycle to the pie shop though.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: madcow on 08 October, 2019, 09:57:31 am
There are numerous advantages to double cabs like the Navara.
You get 4WD for  half or two thirds the price of an equivalent estate type vehicle.
 If you are VAT registered (I'm not ) then you can claim 20% VAT back and despite being a bit heavier on fuel than the average car , if you drive sensibly then they are not wallet emptiers either.
VED is half that of an equivalent car 4WD
I can average 40 mpg on long runs and yes , sometimes I do tow a BFO trailer , go off road legitimately and carry a lot of tools in the back.
Because I occasionally have to carry hazardous goods, the separate load compartment is a must.

You can also get a lot of camping gear and bikes on board as well after a bit of practice.

Parking is sometimes a pain but is a lot easier if you get into the habit of reversing into parking spaces.
 

 
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Exit Stage Left on 08 October, 2019, 11:19:12 am
Vehicles such as the Mercedes Vito fulfil the same function as double cabs. They're just as big, and can be had as a 4x4. They don't carry the same connotations as SUVs, but are the same at heart.

All the macho considerations are ramped up to the next level in the world where people actually use 4x4s in the way they are intended. Ford Rangers and Toyota Hi Luxes look a bit wimpish next to a Unimog. Acquiring a Unimog is a rite of passage for many contractors, and is often the first step to bankruptcy. The Dacia Duster is generally seen as the most sensible buy.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 October, 2019, 11:24:57 am
Back in ooh maybe 1990, John Peel told of buying a Unimog and then having problems insuring it because it was classed as a commercial vehicle and he wasn't using it for any of its approved commercial purposes. The National Farmers Union gave him a quote but then wanted to know what he farmed. Baked beanz, obvz, pace ian.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: FifeingEejit on 08 October, 2019, 01:04:51 pm
Unpopular opinion: These things are only marginally bigger than normal cars, and just about all of the criticisms of them applies equally to any car.

Indeed, all cars are getting bigger, heavier, partly due to crash regulations, partly due to, errr, other reasons.
Volkswagen Golf MK1, 1974: 790 to 970 kg
Volkswagen Golf Mk7,  2015: 1400 to 1500 kg

So a C Segment car in the 1970s now weighs similar to what a D segement car did in the 1970s.

Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: iscunonove on 08 October, 2019, 01:21:39 pm
Some time ago I did do some research on car weights. I think these were mostly published 'curb' weights of the basic models.

Top ten best selling cars in 1979 were:

Ford Cortina:         1110kg
Ford Escort:          767kg
Mini:                     675kg
Morris Marina:        885kg
Austin Allegro:        869kg
Ford Fiesta:            771kg
Ford Granada:         1190kg
Ford Capri:             1010kg
Vauxhall Cavalier:   895kg
Vauxhall Chevette: 845kg

In 2013:

Ford Fiesta:          1150kg
Ford Focus:          1270kg
Vauxhall Corsa:    1086kg
Vauxhall: Astra:   1200kg (my est.)
VW Golf:              1346kg
Nissan Qashqai:   1297kg
BMW 3 series:      1495kg
VW Polo:             1212kg
BMW 1 Series:    1360kg
Peugeot 208:      1168kg

So between 1979 and 2013 an overall increase in weight of 39.6%. Presumably they've only got even heavier in the last 6 years.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Mr Larrington on 08 October, 2019, 01:29:01 pm
Presumably they've only got even heavier in the last 6 years.

More
than ever before, so almost certainly.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: iscunonove on 08 October, 2019, 01:36:02 pm
Presumably they've only got even heavier in the last 6 years.

More
  • safety features, and
  • electric motors
than ever before, so almost certainly.

I did try to bring it up to date with the 2017 top ten but there are now so many different engine options and trim levels it make picking a 'typical' weight quite difficult. But yes, probably heavier. Also the rise of 4x4s isn't totally captured in the 'top ten'. Certainly in my part of Hampshire it seems every other car I meet on country lanes is a two tonne tank.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: ElyDave on 08 October, 2019, 03:36:22 pm
From this article in the Grauniad -
Collision course: why are cars killing more and more pedestrians? (https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/oct/03/collision-course-pedestrian-deaths-rising-driverless-cars)

And more Americans than ever are zipping around in SUVs and pickup trucks, which, thanks to their height, weight and shape are between two and three times more likely to kill people they hit.

Yes, but soon there will be no pedestrians, so all will be good. We'll all be greasing up and levering our wheezing, wobbling, ventripotent bulks into our wheeled behemoths so we can struggle to megastores surrounded by an airport-sized car park to buy tortilla chips in bags big enough to sleep in.

But to be serious, any decline in road deaths and injuries these days seems to come about from scaring off more vulnerable road users. Or killing them. They'll learn one way or the other.

Frankly, unless you've a genuine need to tow an elephant or something, I think the average urban owner of one of these massive vehicles is probably being a bit of a cunt. And if it's a marque of Range Rover, definitely a cunt.

As I have a marque of Land Rover, I must just be a bit of a cunt

I dunno. Are you towing elephants or planning to invade a neighbouring country? Those are your get-out clauses.

We do the shopping by car, though it's a Ka, so about the size of the trolley. I suppose we could get it delivered but it's a pain in the arse since I'm a random shopper and I don't know what I want until I see it.

Only Norfolk, but I'll give it back afterwards, no reason to keep it after all.

But Seriously, I do about 3k miles a year in it, either getting bike to Audaxes or just general run about and tip duties. I can tetris a recumbent into the back at risk of ripping interiors to shreds, or your rotator cuff. So use of towbar bike rack is ideal. Also camping out of it is no bother either.

Yes I could do all that with a large estate, but that's just a SST rather than a SMBT
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 October, 2019, 04:37:39 pm
Yes I could do all that with a large estate, but that's just a SST rather than a SMBT
Suburban Small Tank? Suburban Super Tanker?
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: ElyDave on 08 October, 2019, 04:42:03 pm
Suburban Scout Tank

Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: FifeingEejit on 08 October, 2019, 05:12:57 pm
Some time ago I did do some research on car weights. I think these were mostly published 'curb' weights of the basic models.

Top ten best selling cars in 1979 were:

Ford Cortina:         1110kg
Ford Escort:          767kg
Mini:                     675kg
Morris Marina:        885kg
Austin Allegro:        869kg
Ford Fiesta:            771kg
Ford Granada:         1190kg
Ford Capri:             1010kg
Vauxhall Cavalier:   895kg
Vauxhall Chevette: 845kg

In 2013:

Ford Fiesta:          1150kg
Ford Focus:          1270kg
Vauxhall Corsa:    1086kg
Vauxhall: Astra:   1200kg (my est.)
VW Golf:              1346kg
Nissan Qashqai:   1297kg
BMW 3 series:      1495kg
VW Polo:             1212kg
BMW 1 Series:    1360kg
Peugeot 208:      1168kg

So between 1979 and 2013 an overall increase in weight of 39.6%. Presumably they've only got even heavier in the last 6 years.

The direct comparisons there are:
Ford Escort:          767kg - Ford Focus:          1270kg
Ford Fiesta:            771kg - Ford Fiesta:          1150kg
Vauxhall Chevette: 845kg - Vauxhall: Astra:   1200kg (my est.)

Part of the problem here is that they are cars which had to put it mildly, diabolical safety considerations.
An ideal comparison would be to take the 1970s SAAB or Volvo and compare it to now... Since SAAB no longer exist we're left with comparing Volvos

But ok a quick look at SAABs
IIRC the late model SAAB 99s had a plate weight of 1200kg and the mid-80s 900s were around 1400kg
The weights listed for the final 2014 NEVS 9-3 are 1410 to 1690kg
Not such a big increase in weight where the old side of the comparison had similarly thick doors with Side Impact Bars in them (SAAB introduced them mid-70s IIRC along with dashboards that offered some padding, A-pillars that were padded and pretty strong and weren't creating huge blind spots thanks to the front window having an epic curve in them to allow it).

Wikipaedia is helping with the Volvos giving a timeline of direct replacements
1970/80s 200 Series - 1270kg - 1465kg
1990s 850 Series - 1385kg - 1570kg
Late 90s to 2016 V70 - 1410kg to 1518Kg (FWD, 4WD adds ~300kg)

The V90 is given as the successor but it's clearly not a direct replacement

So while Safety features aren't the only cause of weight increase, they are clearly the significant portion of it, and when manufacturers who previously thought it fit to sell cheap death traps made of tin were forced to stop doing that of course the average weight increased.

Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: DuncanM on 08 October, 2019, 07:31:11 pm
I also think that the size comparisons mean you can't compare a 1970s Escort to a 2015 Focus. The segments have blown up so much that a current Polo is bigger than a Mk2 Golf (which was significantly bigger than a Mk1).
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 October, 2019, 07:37:22 pm
They might be comparable in terms of internal size?
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Andrew Br on 08 October, 2019, 08:42:31 pm


In terms of weight, some of my past vehicles have included:



MG ZT260         1,770kgs (ouch!)


1000kg for the engine and 770kg for the rest of the car ?


Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: hellymedic on 08 October, 2019, 08:43:17 pm
I think the internal dimensions of cars have expanded to fit larger car occupants BICBW.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Kim on 08 October, 2019, 08:50:57 pm
I think the internal dimensions of cars have expanded to fit larger car occupants BICBW.

That would make them better at carrying Stuff, which they clearly aren't.

Which isn't to say that the occupants aren't consuming more space, at least in the under 12s age group.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: IanN on 08 October, 2019, 09:10:48 pm
My (unsubstantiated) observation is that rear seat room has increased, and boot size has shunk.
So if you want load space you end up with an estate
Estate versions of smaller cars are rare. e.g. Skoda Fabia.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: FifeingEejit on 08 October, 2019, 09:47:14 pm
I also think that the size comparisons mean you can't compare a 1970s Escort to a 2015 Focus. The segments have blown up so much that a current Polo is bigger than a Mk2 Golf (which was significantly bigger than a Mk1).

The Escort and the Focus are both Considered C-Segment (Small Family/Compact) Cars; a car needs to be considered on purpose not size.
So with the Escort and Focus still targeted at the same market purpose they are a direct comparison.

I have somewhere a picture of my old Corolla E110 and current E120 next to each other.
Toyota didn't target them at different markets, all they did was made a new design to deal with the new safety standards; this has had a significant impact on the width of cars because before then side impact wasn't considered as important as head on, rear end or roll over.

Edit: What's also very clear is the higher driving position and higher suspension, however I wouldn't say the E120s ride height and sitting height is any different from the SAABs I had though they were D-Segment not C.

Found it... the Venison is erm... well the picture was taken in reference to the fact both of them have had front end rebuilds...
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191008/7671c59a388f04659c175eac1393754b.jpg)
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 October, 2019, 09:04:17 am
I think the internal dimensions of cars have expanded to fit larger car occupants BICBW.

That would make them better at carrying Stuff, which they clearly aren't.

Which isn't to say that the occupants aren't consuming more space, at least in the under 12s age group.
The under 12s are clearly occupying more space even when they themselves are the same size as kids of the 2nd millennium, due to Special Seats. Which might also explain IanN's observation of more space in the rear seats; now that U12s are forbidden from front seats, manufacturers might be designing more width into back seats in order to hold the same number of kids. It might be interesting to compare with cars made for Asia and Africa, where such considerations don't necessarily apply.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: FifeingEejit on 09 October, 2019, 11:24:27 am
Africa is usually combined with the  European and Middle Eastern market (EMEA)

Asia Pacific includes Australia and Japan

Americas is the other market.

In reality its 3 different body shells and option sets on the same chassis.



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Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: DuncanM on 09 October, 2019, 11:28:39 am
I also think that the size comparisons mean you can't compare a 1970s Escort to a 2015 Focus. The segments have blown up so much that a current Polo is bigger than a Mk2 Golf (which was significantly bigger than a Mk1).

The Escort and the Focus are both Considered C-Segment (Small Family/Compact) Cars; a car needs to be considered on purpose not size.
So with the Escort and Focus still targeted at the same market purpose they are a direct comparison.
Sure. I just think that the definition of a C segment car has changed. The Polo/Fiesta size car has grown so much that they were able to put a new base model in below it (Lupo/Ka), but they never changed the segmentation.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: FifeingEejit on 09 October, 2019, 11:42:47 am
The original ka was a "city car" or a-segment iirc at the time ford's smallest  car was the b segment fiesta,oddly the Ka is now a competitor for the fiesta.
It was more a case of filling a gap in ford's range.

The Lupo was similar, though the info Round also indicates the unsuitability of the Polo due to size increases for the standard "city car" market.

Although the a segment has cars in it from way back (mini and original fiat 500), the "need" for cars to appear in that market more recently does seem to relate to in increase in external size of b/sub-compacts



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Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 October, 2019, 11:44:13 am
Africa is usually combined with the  European and Middle Eastern market (EMEA)

Asia Pacific includes Australia and Japan

Americas is the other market.

In reality its 3 different body shells and option sets on the same chassis.



Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk
So what I'm wondering about is the body shells. Plus, this is true for the global manufacturers but there are plenty of models which never make it out of local markets (Mahindra, Tata, Bajaj, etc).
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: FifeingEejit on 09 October, 2019, 12:07:05 pm
Africa is usually combined with the  European and Middle Eastern market (EMEA)

Asia Pacific includes Australia and Japan

Americas is the other market.

In reality its 3 different body shells and option sets on the same chassis.



Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk
So what I'm wondering about is the body shells. Plus, this is true for the global manufacturers but there are plenty of models which never make it out of local markets (Mahindra, Tata, Bajaj, etc).

Some buy in a "platform" and do the rest others make their own

Mahindra and Tata have their own plarform.
Better info on the Tata, their A-Segment car the Tiago is 3.7m long and 1.6m wide
The current Ford Ka is 3.8m long and 1.6m wide and B Segment

So the sizing appears to be comparable even for a car only really sold in South Asia

The much smaller Tata Nano is no longer produced or sold...
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Mr Larrington on 09 October, 2019, 12:51:39 pm
Mahindra did try flogging their Jeep knockoff to BRITONS for a while, to general derision from press and public alike.

The Fnord that puzzled me most was the Ka+.  You take a sub-Fiesta-sized Ka and expand it into something the same size as a Fiesta ???  And it remains the only vehicle I've ever driven in which you could operate all three pedals simultaneously with the same foot.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: FifeingEejit on 09 October, 2019, 01:08:10 pm
The Ka has always been a derivative of the Fiesta platform, does anyone by the KA because they prefer its styling over the fiesta? hm...
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: grams on 09 October, 2019, 01:17:08 pm
Moderns Kas are Fiat 500s.

The Ka+ seems to be a cheapified Fiesta for lower income markets, and not derived from the normal Ka.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: FifeingEejit on 09 October, 2019, 01:29:57 pm
Moderns Kas are Fiat 500s.

The Ka+ seems to be a cheapified Fiesta for lower income markets, and not derived from the normal Ka.

I'd missed that, the 2nd Generation was on the Fiat Mini platform,

The current one seems to be KA+ (From 2016 onwards) appears to be on the Ford B platform
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_B3_platform

So yeah unrelated, any new KA's must be NOS...
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 October, 2019, 08:08:10 pm
Another use for an SUV. (https://road.cc/content/forum/267461-suv-squirrel-nut-store)
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Kim on 09 October, 2019, 08:50:08 pm
Another use for an SUV. (https://road.cc/content/forum/267461-suv-squirrel-nut-store)

Alternatively, you can microwave them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZkAP-CQlhA
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: FifeingEejit on 09 October, 2019, 09:36:43 pm
Another use for an SUV. (https://road.cc/content/forum/267461-suv-squirrel-nut-store)

Alternatively, you can microwave them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZkAP-CQlhA

Disappointing, was expecting that to be an SUV in a microwave.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Kim on 09 October, 2019, 09:48:27 pm
At some point, SUVs are going to come with built-in microwave ovens...
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: FifeingEejit on 09 October, 2019, 09:50:47 pm
At some point, SUVs are going to come with built-in microwave ovens...

Wouldn't that make it an RV?
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Kim on 09 October, 2019, 10:04:26 pm
At some point, SUVs are going to come with built-in microwave ovens...

Wouldn't that make it an RV?

It's not recreational if you're using it on the school run.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: FifeingEejit on 09 October, 2019, 11:38:50 pm
At some point, SUVs are going to come with built-in microwave ovens...

Wouldn't that make it an RV?

It's not recreational if you're using it on the school run.

Nor is that Sports Utility though...

Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: jsabine on 10 October, 2019, 01:20:54 am
At some point, SUVs are going to come with built-in microwave ovens...

Wouldn't that make it an RV?

It's not recreational if you're using it on the school run.

Nor is that Sports Utility though...

Though possibly Sports fUtility if it's the kids' games day.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: fuzzy on 10 October, 2019, 11:41:44 am
Shouldn't turning it into a mobile kitchen reneder it liable for commercial VED?
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 10 October, 2019, 11:47:57 am
You can't car your way out of parking problems.

No, but you can time your way out of parking problems, shopping at 2am when even the shelf stacking activity is reduced is much less stressful.

During term time, our road's just as clogged with parked cars at 2am as it is during the day. I've rarely had trouble parking at a supermarket, you just have to walk a little further (which is fine when you've got a trolley to carry all the stuff in one go).
Our road's more clogged at 2am, cos all the residents have parked their cars and gone to bed. But it used to be more clogged during the day, cos people who lived further out but worked centrally parked here. That was stopped by the previous mayor (retired architect, ex-Tory, posh boy, Green leanings, green implementations, red trousers) introducing residents parking zones, which were going to spread and cover the whole city but the current mayor (Labour, grey suits, tarmac leanings, apparently first black directly elected mayor in Europe, evangelical Christian) reversed that (as he did the 20mph zones extensions). But the current zones are intact and still keeping the streets a bit less crowded.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: FifeingEejit on 10 October, 2019, 01:43:42 pm
Shouldn't turning it into a mobile kitchen reneder it liable for commercial VED?
2 burner hob, sink, sleeping area convertible into seats = Motorhome for classification purposes hence RV.
The advantage of that is it also changes your vans speed limits.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Ginger Cat on 13 October, 2019, 05:49:10 pm
Surely the "van" speed limits should be applied to these behemoth SUVs?

And the M6 Toll should charge then the van rate?

After all, they are bigger and heavier than some vans.

When I am plodding along gently in Big Van (my sleep-over van, registered as a motorhome, slept in when working away on client sites) it does shock me rather to see the speed those things go at. Move Over White Van Man- you have competition!

GC
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: FifeingEejit on 13 October, 2019, 07:01:29 pm
The van limits seem to be a hang over from when vans were still ladder chassis with coachwork put on them and didn't handle anything like a car...
Which of course these days still applies to coachworked motorhomes but not your average transit which seems to be as nimble as a focus and driven like it's a Focus ST.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: pumpkin on 18 October, 2019, 12:45:52 pm
Surely the "van" speed limits should be applied to these behemoth SUVs?

And the M6 Toll should charge then the van rate?

After all, they are bigger and heavier than some vans.

When I am plodding along gently in Big Van (my sleep-over van, registered as a motorhome, slept in when working away on client sites) it does shock me rather to see the speed those things go at. Move Over White Van Man- you have competition!

GC

Those Audi Q7 (Other brands available) are available in 5.0ltr format so certainly bigger than a lot of vans. Porsche cayenne esp the Turbo versions are just plain fast.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Mr Larrington on 19 October, 2019, 09:11:15 am
There was a good reason behind that motor-paced chap's decision to use a Cayenne as his pace car :demon:
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: ian on 19 October, 2019, 11:41:44 am
Anyway, so basically they're too big, too powerful, too fast, too polluting, and more dangerous for everyone, including their occupants.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: hatler on 19 October, 2019, 12:04:08 pm
[whine]But my neighbour's got one, and I feel inadequate if I haven't.[/whine]
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: pumpkin on 19 October, 2019, 12:49:59 pm
Anyway, so basically they're too big, too powerful, too fast, too polluting, and more dangerous for everyone, including their occupants.

But, but everyone's got/getting one and they feel so safe!
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Pingu on 19 October, 2019, 10:47:25 pm
Anyway, so basically they're too big, too powerful, too fast, too polluting, and more dangerous for everyone, including their occupants.

But, but everyone's got/getting one and they feel so safe!

(https://i.redd.it/jfzebq4dq7z11.jpg)
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 October, 2019, 05:00:25 pm
Quote
As the global fleet of SUVs has grown, its emissions have increased more than fourfold in just eight years.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/ng-interactive/2019/oct/25/suvs-second-biggest-cause-of-emissions-rise-figures-reveal
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 October, 2019, 05:07:57 pm
More unexpectedly:
Quote
Safety Gap Grows Wider Between S.U.V.'s and Cars
Which turns out to mean:
Quote
People driving or riding in a sport utility vehicle in 2003 were nearly 11 percent more likely to die in an accident than people in cars, the figures show.
That's USA stats, I suppose it might be different here, though I don't know that it would. Though I've just realised that article's 15 years old!
Quote
''It's largely a function of the rollover problem,'' said Rae Tyson, a spokesman for the traffic agency. ''In certain types of crashes, you're more likely to be better off in an S.U.V., but that is offset by the fact the you're more likely to roll over.''
And:
Quote
The ways that people who own different types of vehicles tend to drive them is also a factor, especially in the case of sports cars.
No shit!
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: ian on 25 October, 2019, 05:28:04 pm
I'm sure I've mentioned that come the first snow day in the US, you can count all the overturned SUVs in the roadside ditches. And trust me, you're going to need to borrow someone else's fingers too.

Large vehicles create a perception of safety, and like risk compensation, people adjust to take less care, overstate their driving abilities etc. There's also a blend of unfamiliarity. Drivers assume they are immune to the outside world, they need make no adjustment for snow etc; just press the big 4wd button.

The dark side of this, of course, is that large vehicles empower their drivers to bully more vulnerable road users.

But anyway, they're less safe for everyone, more polluting, and more intimating, and like I say, sadly they epitomise our response to climate change. The world as we know it may die! OK, I'll buy a bigger car.

But hey, it might be a hybrid, so all good.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: giropaul on 27 October, 2019, 08:55:53 am
It’s maybe a bit different for us rural types. My village has / is cut off by floods yesterday and today. The community spirited owners of “ real” Landrovers ( not Chelsea Tractors) and the big Toyotas that are replacing them, have been carrying carers around ( lots of people here rely on several carer visits each day), and getting a few youngsters to work.
They’ve also been towing idiots who thought it didn’t look too deep out, to keep access clear for the emergency services.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Kim on 27 October, 2019, 11:50:11 am
I'd suggest that the practical off-road vehicles that are sometimes necessary in rural areas are a completely different kettle of fish, and much less objectionable.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 15 November, 2019, 09:26:05 am
It’s maybe a bit different for us rural types. My village has / is cut off by floods yesterday and today. The community spirited owners of “ real” Landrovers ( not Chelsea Tractors) and the big Toyotas that are replacing them, have been carrying carers around ( lots of people here rely on several carer visits each day), and getting a few youngsters to work.
They’ve also been towing idiots who thought it didn’t look too deep out, to keep access clear for the emergency services.

When I had an old Golf GTI mk2 I was amazed at how good it was in snow.  Dad was taken ill near Inverness and drivers were advised not to travel.  We got from York to Inverness quite easily over almost deserted snow, covered roads.  The thing had surprisingly good grip possibly helped by not having power steering.  We had to stop once to help a RWD vauxhall but were able to leave them to it when the police got there.  Having lived in E. Anglia before I had previous at getting through snow and only got stuck once, in a drift only a snow plough would manage.   My current front-drive Yaris is comparatively useless on slippy roads, for one thing you can't turn off the abs. 

When a 4x4 gets stuck it does the job properly because it gets bellied and none of the wheels can grip, do what you like.  It has to be towed out, usually by a farm tractor.

Recently I read that the average age of a vehicle in the UK was 8 years.  I think that will rise significantly because car sellers are going to find it hard to fund the cheap finance in future.  Maybe fewer battle tanks will be bought?



 
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Jaded on 15 November, 2019, 09:28:40 am
Narrow tyres, possibly. Was in a Moggy 1000 once, in Sussex, zipping* past all manner of thigs stuck on hills, the Moggie just carried on.

*relative term   ;D
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: hatler on 15 November, 2019, 09:40:39 am
A Renault 4 with M&S tyres on takes some beating in snow.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: tatanab on 15 November, 2019, 10:08:26 am
A Renault 4 with M&S tyres on takes some beating in snow.
One winter I lived in Basle, Switzerland.  We had a serious dump of snow one night.  I tried cycling to work but was making very little headway, so I set out to walk the 3 miles.   I saw lots of modern cars sliding around, and then I was given a lift in a 2CV.  He was having so much fun he was going round roundabouts several times for the joy of it.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: hatler on 15 November, 2019, 10:45:06 am
I was in the Swiss hills with the Renault 4 one Winter. Our task was transport. It never got stuck.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: DuncanM on 15 November, 2019, 10:52:52 am
I had an X1/9 one snowy winter. It was awesome. 135 tyres and an engine mounted directly above the driven wheels (and very little power). The only minor drawback was that the heating was terrible, so I kept having to stop to remove the ice from the inside of the windscreen!
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Mr Larrington on 15 November, 2019, 11:14:44 am
Skinny tyres and no power FWIW.  Driving a RWD motor-car with 430 horespowers and 295 (at least) tyres in fresh SNO is a copybook example of Type 2 Fun.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: rafletcher on 15 November, 2019, 12:45:30 pm
I had an X1/9 one snowy winter. It was awesome. 135 tyres and an engine mounted directly above the driven wheels (and very little power). The only minor drawback was that the heating was terrible, so I kept having to stop to remove the ice from the inside of the windscreen!

Yes, but when it did let go, whoops! Mind you mine had twin 40 Webers fitted so was a bit more powerful (and the carb cooling fan removed, so fuel vapouristaion was an issue when stopping hot!).  I lived in Aberdeen at the time, and used to pop up to the Conoco car park on the first snowy Sunday to practice emergency stops and skid control  ;D. I eventually traded it in for what would become the Jimny, and Suzuki SJ410. A bit more sedate lol.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: DuncanM on 15 November, 2019, 12:59:49 pm
I had an X1/9 one snowy winter. It was awesome. 135 tyres and an engine mounted directly above the driven wheels (and very little power). The only minor drawback was that the heating was terrible, so I kept having to stop to remove the ice from the inside of the windscreen!

Yes, but when it did let go, whoops! Mind you mine had twin 40 Webers fitted so was a bit more powerful (and the carb cooling fan removed, so fuel vapouristaion was an issue when stopping hot!).  I lived in Aberdeen at the time, and used to pop up to the Conoco car park on the first snowy Sunday to practice emergency stops and skid control  ;D. I eventually traded it in for what would become the Jimny, and Suzuki SJ410. A bit more sedate lol.
Sounds like fun.
I traded mine for a modified Uno Turbo, which was a right giggle until it started blowing up driveshafts! :(
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 November, 2019, 02:32:02 pm
Certainly out in ye Polish villages, where the nearest tarmac road can be a mile away, no one has a SUV or 4x4. But they do have proper winter tyres.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 November, 2019, 02:33:14 pm
Meanwhile, there's a lot of rise and a bit of criticism of the SMBT here but no evidence of an actual fall.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: hatler on 15 November, 2019, 02:38:32 pm
This site (https://www.statista.com/outlook/1112000/156/large-suvs/united-kingdom) would appear to confirm that the fall hasn't started yet (but is about to).
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: slowfen on 16 November, 2019, 11:59:05 am

This is what finally converted me to winter tyres

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfuE00qdhLA
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: fuzzy on 17 November, 2019, 10:13:32 am
I travelled back from Salford last night after watching the mighty Swindon Town FC win a game of football.

Several times I was blinded by headlights reflecting in my drivers door mirror. The journey finished with me having a thumping headache. 

In all but one case, the vehicle with the dazzling lights was an SUV. It seems the height of the front lights is perfect for pissing off drivers they are overtaking.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Kim on 17 November, 2019, 10:14:51 am
In all but one case, the vehicle with the dazzling lights was an SUV. It seems the height of the front lights is perfect for pissing off drivers they are overtaking.

This is your fault for not driving an SUV.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: sojournermike on 17 November, 2019, 11:19:31 am
I travelled back from Salford last night after watching the mighty Swindon Town FC win a game of football.

Several times I was blinded by headlights reflecting in my drivers door mirror. The journey finished with me having a thumping headache. 

In all but one case, the vehicle with the dazzling lights was an SUV. It seems the height of the front lights is perfect for pissing off drivers they are overtaking.


This post is nothing to do with motoring - you just wanted to crow about Swindon Town FC I think;)
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 November, 2019, 04:01:34 pm
Top of League 2 but can they stay ahead of Forest Green Rovers only 2 points behind and with a game in hand? Tune in next week to find out!
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Jaded on 17 November, 2019, 05:10:08 pm
Rovers lost to Plymouth at home. Played well but beaten by the wylier side
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: simonp on 17 November, 2019, 05:22:07 pm
In all but one case, the vehicle with the dazzling lights was an SUV. It seems the height of the front lights is perfect for pissing off drivers they are overtaking.

This is your fault for not driving an SUV.

I remember back in the 90s on the uk.rec.transport newsgroup, some idiot was proclaiming how great his SUV was, because it gave him such a great view over traffic.

It only works as long as no-one* else has one, you imbecile.

* Approximation.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: fuzzy on 17 November, 2019, 10:45:01 pm
I travelled back from Salford last night after watching the mighty Swindon Town FC win a game of football.

Several times I was blinded by headlights reflecting in my drivers door mirror. The journey finished with me having a thumping headache. 

In all but one case, the vehicle with the dazzling lights was an SUV. It seems the height of the front lights is perfect for pissing off drivers they are overtaking.


This post is nothing to do with motoring - you just wanted to crow about Swindon Town FC I think;)

Not quite accurate.
My crowing about the Mighty Reds gave me a perfect opportunity to moan post about SU fucking V's
 :smug:
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: quixoticgeek on 22 November, 2019, 11:45:17 am

Elon isn't really hiding the fact this is built for urban warfare.

https://www.tesla.com/en_gb/cybertruck

Looks like a humvee crossed with a tank...

It is not good for our roads.

J
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: grams on 22 November, 2019, 01:17:55 pm
I read a breathless tech site summary of this that was all about how contractors "need" pickup trucks like this and that it can auto park itself "if one ever finds its way into a city".

Looking forward to seeing them pottering around Kensington and Hampstead.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 22 November, 2019, 04:34:53 pm
It reminds me of the vehicles drawn in a cartoon I can't remember the name of that used to feature in a motorbike magazine in the late 80s (and I don't mean Ogri!). All sort of Mad Max on a Katana.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: spesh on 22 November, 2019, 05:38:01 pm
The Cybertruck would have looked right at home on the pages of futurology books that were a thing in 80s*. With the benefit of hindsight, they were often hilariously wrong about what the early 21st century would look like.

* Examples being, but not limited to:

https://www.amazon.com/Arthur-C-Clarkes-July-2019/dp/0246129808
https://www.amazon.co.uk/World-Tomorrow-Robin-Kerrod/dp/0831794933
https://www.amazon.co.uk/World-Future-Cities-Living-Century/dp/0727011847
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Mr Larrington on 23 November, 2019, 10:30:01 am
You know when Clarkson et al said "How hard can it be?" Before heading for the Sheds to play with angle-grinders?  The Cybertruck was one of the results that ended up on the cutting room floor.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: sg37409 on 23 November, 2019, 11:17:58 am
It reminds me of the vehicles drawn in a cartoon I can't remember the name of that used to feature in a motorbike magazine in the late 80s (and I don't mean Ogri!). All sort of Mad Max on a Katana.

Blood Runners by Andy Sparrow
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Mr Larrington on 24 November, 2019, 12:23:32 pm
Comment on FB: it's what you get if you combine cutting-edge tech and hard drugs.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: DuncanM on 25 November, 2019, 11:26:45 am
I don't understand the whole thing about beating up doors. Doors are supposed to be flimsy - they are designed to be as light as possible while providing side impact protection. They aren't a stressed member in terms of the structure. So a door that can't be dented is almost entirely pointless weight.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Kim on 25 November, 2019, 11:47:06 am
The key factoid seems to be that it's the same steel that SpaceX is using for Starship (because rocket science).  It's a git to work with, so presumably getting hundreds of thousands of Tesla fanboys to bankroll a production line will help with R&D costs.  Besides, the stainless steel construction made the flux dispersal... [interrupted by the urgent beeping of a digital watch]
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: DuncanM on 25 November, 2019, 11:55:36 am
The key factoid seems to be that it's the same steel that SpaceX is using for Starship (because rocket science).  It's a git to work with, so presumably getting hundreds of thousands of Tesla fanboys to bankroll a production line will help with R&D costs.
Alternatively, the time spent trying to teach the robots to weld that steel into car bodies will result in massive production delays and enormous brittleness problems when out in the real world.
It sort of makes sense, if you want to build an "exoskeleton" instead of a body-on-frame. But making the bonnet, or the doors, or any other bolt on parts from it is just daft - loads of cost, almost no benefit.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 November, 2019, 12:08:08 pm
Didn't someone say upthread that it was armoured? So instead of VIPs buying a regular car and getting it bullet-proofed, they can be a ready-armoured Tesla. Apparently there are some countries (South Africa...) where this is almost normal...
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: quixoticgeek on 25 November, 2019, 12:26:40 pm
The key factoid seems to be that it's the same steel that SpaceX is using for Starship (because rocket science).  It's a git to work with, so presumably getting hundreds of thousands of Tesla fanboys to bankroll a production line will help with R&D costs.  Besides, the stainless steel construction made the flux dispersal... [interrupted by the urgent beeping of a digital watch]

Am I the only one looking at this stainless steel monstrocity, and thinking it will only be a matter of time until it causes something to catch fire?

Aren't doors also designed normally to break off if hit when open? I wonder if the overengineered nature of this tank means that they are too strong for such a fail?

J
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: MattH on 25 November, 2019, 08:45:44 pm
(https://i.imgur.com/oe994wD.jpg)
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: spesh on 25 November, 2019, 10:43:38 pm
Simone Giertz couldn't wait for Tesla to make a truck, so she made her own from a Tesla Model 3.

Fake commercial: https://youtu.be/R35gWBtLCYg

How she built it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKv_N0IDS2A

https://twitter.com/SimoneGiertz
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 November, 2019, 10:14:06 am
Elsewhere the startling resemblance of the Muskon's latest to the tank in 80's video game "Battle Zone" has been noted.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: spesh on 26 November, 2019, 12:03:09 pm
Elsewhere the startling resemblance of the Muskon's latest to the tank in 80's video game "Battle Zone" has been noted.

I saw that one, along with a reference to the Warthog from the Halo computer game franchise in the replies to a post pondering eco-friendly "technicals"* (which sort of ties in with Cudzo's last post in this thread).

https://twitter.com/Jon_Christian/status/1197990384372191232


* Though I guess the lack of charging points across the Levant and north Africa might put a crimp in yer average jihadi's plans for acquiring Cybertrucks in the name of their perversion of Islam...
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 26 November, 2019, 09:01:02 pm
Ah just saw the audi wankpanzer/suv advert. Give them an inch and they'll take a mile it says. Shouldn't it say give them an inch and they'll give you an inch if your lucky
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 11 December, 2019, 01:07:47 pm
Leaving aside the 37:1 ratio, which will no doubt change if it hasn't already, I am surprised that despite all the advances in ICE efficiency, catalytic converters etc., that overall emissions are going up and not down.

Quote
The "immense" rise in sales of high-emission sports utility vehicles means they now outsell electric cars in the UK by 37 to one, research has found.

As a result, overall exhaust emissions from new cars have been increasing, not declining, for the past three years, says the UK Energy Research Centre.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-50713616

Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 11 December, 2019, 01:24:17 pm
Quantity beats quality.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Jakob W on 11 December, 2019, 03:39:03 pm
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jevons_paradox may be of relevance here.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: simonp on 11 December, 2019, 05:30:12 pm
Leaving aside the 37:1 ratio, which will no doubt change if it hasn't already, I am surprised that despite all the advances in ICE efficiency, catalytic converters etc., that overall emissions are going up and not down.

Quote
The "immense" rise in sales of high-emission sports utility vehicles means they now outsell electric cars in the UK by 37 to one, research has found.

As a result, overall exhaust emissions from new cars have been increasing, not declining, for the past three years, says the UK Energy Research Centre.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-50713616

The advances in ICE efficiency are less than you'd think, since much of the advance is down to gaming the tests rather than real efficiency improvements.

Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Jaded on 11 December, 2019, 06:47:37 pm
The efficiencies are there, they are just used for gadgets, more gadgets, and huge quantities of vanity and safety metal.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Rowan on 11 December, 2019, 07:34:14 pm
Its these monster trucks that do my knut in
(https://i.postimg.cc/hGCKbJgn/rlj01.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/nrh7S991/rlj02.jpg)
laws don't seem to apply

or is it just me being a silly cyclist not understanding traffic lights?
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: rower40 on 11 December, 2019, 08:19:01 pm
"Must overtake cyclist" beats red light every time.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Socks on 11 December, 2019, 08:28:31 pm
l wonder if that driver complains about 'cyclists' going through red lights?
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: ian on 12 December, 2019, 09:19:44 am
Drivers go through red lights whenever it suits them, they're just blind to the practice and only notice it when a cyclist does it.

Anyhow, back to the wanker tankers, I passed a splendidly glossed and immaculate Range Rover sitting outside a house on the steppes of southerly Croydonia on Sunday replete with an electrical cable plugged into its snozzle. It could have been subtitled 'and this is why we're fucked.'
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Rowan on 12 December, 2019, 01:47:17 pm
Surely the "van" speed limits should be applied to these behemoth SUVs?

And the M6 Toll should charge then the van rate?

After all, they are bigger and heavier than some vans.

When I am plodding along gently in Big Van (my sleep-over van, registered as a motorhome, slept in when working away on client sites) it does shock me rather to see the speed those things go at. Move Over White Van Man- you have competition!

GC
I would take this a stage further and categorise any vehicle over a certain size / emissions / weight  as being of 'Special Type'  and have them fitted with Speed Limiters,  may be also Tachographs and require drivers to be better trained and face harsher punishments if they flout the law.  I'm sure there are very valid reasons for some of these vehicles, but if they couldn't go above 40mph (a speed that I would also limit HGVs to)  then they would only be used by those who really needed them.

Society needs to be moving away from bigger and bigger vehicles for personal transport and I don't see this happening unless these vehicles become onerous to own and use. We need to stop seeing giant 4x4s,  high performance limo's and sports cars as desirable and start viewing them as the environmental catastrophe  that they are.  I don't even see electric versions of range rovers etc  being acceptable either, their size and weight will still consume more energy that still has to be generated somewhere.

And if we did start to rid our roads of these oversized monstrosities may be more people would feel comfortable cycling, we need a completely different mind set to personal transport.






Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: sojournermike on 13 December, 2019, 08:09:52 pm
Surely the "van" speed limits should be applied to these behemoth SUVs?

And the M6 Toll should charge then the van rate?

After all, they are bigger and heavier than some vans.

When I am plodding along gently in Big Van (my sleep-over van, registered as a motorhome, slept in when working away on client sites) it does shock me rather to see the speed those things go at. Move Over White Van Man- you have competition!

GC
I would take this a stage further and categorise any vehicle over a certain size / emissions / weight  as being of 'Special Type'  and have them fitted with Speed Limiters,  may be also Tachographs and require drivers to be better trained and face harsher punishments if they flout the law.  I'm sure there are very valid reasons for some of these vehicles, but if they couldn't go above 40mph (a speed that I would also limit HGVs to)  then they would only be used by those who really needed them.

Society needs to be moving away from bigger and bigger vehicles for personal transport and I don't see this happening unless these vehicles become onerous to own and use. We need to stop seeing giant 4x4s,  high performance limo's and sports cars as desirable and start viewing them as the environmental catastrophe  that they are.  I don't even see electric versions of range rovers etc  being acceptable either, their size and weight will still consume more energy that still has to be generated somewhere.

And if we did start to rid our roads of these oversized monstrosities may be more people would feel comfortable cycling, we need a completely different mind set to personal transport.

Just to say I agree!
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: DuncanM on 15 December, 2019, 01:56:36 pm
I fail to see a significant difference to a cyclist in being hit by a 1.3 ton Golf compared to a 2 ton Range Rover. Also, while I understand the idea of needing a special license to operate a "big" class of vehicle we actually have such a restriction, it's just that "big" is defined as 7.5 tonnes. And if you got your car license prior to 1997(?) then you are legally allowed to drive them without anything extra.

I'm fully on board with the resource and emissions arguments, and I'd go further on the taxation system for emissions (and fuel duty), but they are vote losers, and our current government showed their colours at the climate change debate a few weeks ago.  :'(
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Zipperhead on 15 December, 2019, 02:01:20 pm
I fail to see a significant difference to a cyclist in being hit by a 1.3 ton Golf compared to a 2 ton Range Rover. Also, while I understand the idea of needing a special license to operate a "big" class of vehicle we actually have such a restriction, it's just that "big" is defined as 7.5 tonnes. And if you got your car license prior to 1997(?) then you are legally allowed to drive them without anything extra.

I don't know if it affects cyclists in the same way as pedestrians (and I hope not to perform any empirical testing), but if a pedestrian is hit by a polo they will be hit at leg height for most people, and fall onto the bonnet. If they're hit by a Range Rover they're going to take that impact in the chest/abdomen.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: grams on 15 December, 2019, 03:13:38 pm
"I drive a perfectly safe car that only permanently maims any pedestrians that happen to get in my way." isn't that strong an argument tbh.

The obvious counter to this is "which would you rather be hit by?", which rather ignores the question of why you're crashing your car into me.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 15 December, 2019, 05:32:20 pm
It's been 3.5t since the early 90s.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: ian on 15 December, 2019, 07:28:00 pm
I fail to see a significant difference to a cyclist in being hit by a 1.3 ton Golf compared to a 2 ton Range Rover.

The laws of physics just called and left you a message.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: hellymedic on 15 December, 2019, 08:27:34 pm
I fail to see a significant difference to a cyclist in being hit by a 1.3 ton Golf compared to a 2 ton Range Rover.

The laws of physics just called and left you a message.

kinetic energy = ½ mv2 I believe. I'm no physicist but acquired O Level in 1974 & A Level in 1976.

My understanding is that the MOAR ke, the more potential for injury and the greater the braking distance...
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: grams on 15 December, 2019, 09:59:20 pm
I fail to see a significant difference to a cyclist in being hit by a 1.3 ton Golf compared to a 2 ton Range Rover.

The laws of physics just called and left you a message.

That driving a car is roughly two thirds as awful as driving an SUV?
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Diver300 on 15 December, 2019, 11:28:12 pm
My understanding is that the MOAR ke, the more potential for injury and the greater the braking distance...
Having a low vehicle means that injuries tend to be less, or to more easily fixed parts of the body, which favours the lower and usually lighter cars, as well as the reduction in kinetic energy.

The kinetic energy makes less difference when there is loads of it. A car isn't slowed much when it hits a pedestrian, so having more energy makes little difference. The height is the big deal, as it alters how fast energy is transferred to the pedestrian, so what force is applied.

Braking distance isn't much affected by the car mass, as the more mass, the more weight so more friction is available, given the all post 2004 cars have ABS, so can maximise the friction on all the wheels. Braking distance goes up as the square of speed, so in that way the kinetic energy makes a big difference.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Rowan on 15 December, 2019, 11:41:15 pm
if you think we have a problem with Range Rovers - take a peep at whats coming with our free trade agreement with the US
https://www.carthrottle.com/post/wm3kjv8/?comments_page=2
just perfect for the school run
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: quixoticgeek on 16 December, 2019, 11:49:51 am

A few years back the latest EU regs on the design of cars made it a requirement to design to minimise the damage done to pedestrians,

The recent designs of car bonnets are designed to cushion the pedestrian once they have landed on it.

More info can be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedestrian_safety_through_vehicle_design

J
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 December, 2019, 11:51:56 am
Which is relevant where the frontal area is lower than the pedestrian's CoG and they are knocked on to the bonnet. If the radiator grille is up to your shoulder, you're not going to fall on to the bonnet.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: quixoticgeek on 16 December, 2019, 11:53:30 am
Which is relevant where the frontal area is lower than the pedestrian's CoG and they are knocked on to the bonnet. If the radiator grille is up to your shoulder, you're not going to fall on to the bonnet.

Yes. This is why it's so much worse to be hit by the 2 ton wank panzer, than a 2ton estate car.

From a safety stand point, range rovers, cybertrucks, F150's etc... really shouldn't be allowed on the streets in a civilised country...

J
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 16 December, 2019, 12:01:36 pm
Just picked my van up from local Ford dealer. They have a ranger raptor which dwarfs my transit custom.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 December, 2019, 12:06:28 pm
Which is relevant where the frontal area is lower than the pedestrian's CoG and they are knocked on to the bonnet. If the radiator grille is up to your shoulder, you're not going to fall on to the bonnet.

Yes. This is why it's so much worse to be hit by the 2 ton wank panzer, than a 2ton estate car.

From a safety stand point, range rovers, cybertrucks, F150's etc... really shouldn't be allowed on the streets in a civilised country...

J
In a civilised society, people wanting to buy one would be offered therapy.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: quixoticgeek on 16 December, 2019, 12:14:24 pm
Just picked my van up from local Ford dealer. They have a ranger raptor which dwarfs my transit custom.

Yeah, I don't understand why anyone would think it appropriate to drive one this side of the pond, esp in urban areas.

One of my Neighbours drives a Dodge RAM, which is too big to fit in the standard parking space, so rather than park sticking out slightly into the road (which it would make impassable), they park it with the wheels up on the pavement, cos entitlement...

I have been hit by a similar vehicle going round a corner, I was stood on the pavement of the corner in the narrow nice streets area of Ams, it's wheels stayed on the roadway the whole time, but the vehicle was so long, it overhung, and the side of the vehicle hit me.

J
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: DuncanM on 16 December, 2019, 03:43:19 pm
Which is relevant where the frontal area is lower than the pedestrian's CoG and they are knocked on to the bonnet. If the radiator grille is up to your shoulder, you're not going to fall on to the bonnet.

Yes. This is why it's so much worse to be hit by the 2 ton wank panzer, than a 2ton estate car.

From a safety stand point, range rovers, cybertrucks, F150's etc... really shouldn't be allowed on the streets in a civilised country...
And presumably every cab-forward vehicle from the VW Type 1 all the way to busses?

Reducing the environmental impact means moving from wankpanzers -> smaller, more efficient cars -> busses -> bikes +walking.
Making cycling and pedestrians safer involves moving all vehicles from the areas where cyclists and pedestrians are, not just making the collision marginally less bad.

Those things are hard to do, so in much the same way as magic paint and magic hats, we get deform-able bonnets  ::-) Not sure how that's going to work with a Cybertruck that you can hit with a sledgehammer...  ::-)
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Mr Larrington on 16 December, 2019, 05:47:56 pm
if you think we have a problem with Range Rovers - take a peep at whats coming with our free trade agreement with the US
https://www.carthrottle.com/post/wm3kjv8/?comments_page=2
just perfect for the school run

Yes, it's big.  Commercial vehicles usually are.  The F-650 is a Class 6 truck, roughly equivalent to the European 7.5 tonne class.  No-one is going to use one on the school run any more than they'd use a DAF LF or a MAN LE.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: TheLurker on 16 December, 2019, 07:03:49 pm
Quote from: DuncanM
Not sure how that's going to work with a Cybertruck that you can hit with a sledgehammer... 
Ach, we'll be just fine... as long as we end up hitting the windows.  :)
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 December, 2019, 09:14:12 pm
Which is relevant where the frontal area is lower than the pedestrian's CoG and they are knocked on to the bonnet. If the radiator grille is up to your shoulder, you're not going to fall on to the bonnet.

Yes. This is why it's so much worse to be hit by the 2 ton wank panzer, than a 2ton estate car.

From a safety stand point, range rovers, cybertrucks, F150's etc... really shouldn't be allowed on the streets in a civilised country...
And presumably every cab-forward vehicle from the VW Type 1 all the way to busses?
Presumably so.

Quote
Reducing the environmental impact means moving from wankpanzers -> smaller, more efficient cars -> busses -> bikes +walking.
Making cycling and pedestrians safer involves moving all vehicles from the areas where cyclists and pedestrians are, not just making the collision marginally less bad.

Those things are hard to do, so in much the same way as magic paint and magic hats, we get deform-able bonnets  ::-) Not sure how that's going to work with a Cybertruck that you can hit with a sledgehammer...  ::-)
Yes, yes and yes.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 December, 2019, 09:41:31 pm
Bang on cue, road.cc is reporting the Tesla Cybertruck will not be road legal in EU.
Quote
The monstrous new battery-powered Tesla truck has caused plenty of controversy since its launch; mostly because it's been suggested that the sharp angular design of the shell and sheer enormity of the truck would pose a serious safety risk to pedestrians, cyclists and pretty much anything else in its immediate vicinity. Writing for Forbes Online(link is external), Carlton Reid says: "The European Commission has strict automotive testing and safety protocols, and the Cybertruck - as is - would fail many of them, including increasingly stringent pedestrian and cyclist protection standards."

This is backed up by auto standards expert Stefan Teller, who says serious modifications to the design of the Tesla Truck would have to be made before it passes stringent EU safety laws. He told the German car magazine Automobilwoche: “The bumper and hood must be able to absorb energy to protect pedestrians."

As if to perfectly illustrate the potential problems posed by the truck, Tesla CEO Elon Musk was recently shown knocking over a traffic bollard as he pulled out of a car park, seemingly oblivious. It was noted the bollard was about the size of a small child...
https://road.cc/content/news/269565-belgian-cyclist-vs-lorry-driver-video-spoof-version-tesla-truck-not-street-legal
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Zipperhead on 17 December, 2019, 02:16:09 pm
if you think we have a problem with Range Rovers - take a peep at whats coming with our free trade agreement with the US
https://www.carthrottle.com/post/wm3kjv8/?comments_page=2
just perfect for the school run

Yes, it's big.  Commercial vehicles usually are.  The F-650 is a Class 6 truck, roughly equivalent to the European 7.5 tonne class.  No-one is going to use one on the school run any more than they'd use a DAF LF or a MAN LE.

I don't think Chris Eubank has school age children any more.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Mr Larrington on 18 December, 2019, 01:06:28 am
Well, OK, there's alway one ;D.  Or two, coz someone who lives just down the road from Lt. Col. Larrington (retd.) has a very shiny UK-registered Peterbilt 389 in his front garden.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: jsabine on 19 December, 2019, 03:55:24 am
I will add that I agree too as I see in Slovakia what the future could otherwise be in the UK. Over here I wouldn say that by and large (by which I mean about 95%) of cyclists now ride on the pavement. As a road rider I get hooted at often. Road deaths here are approximately 3 times those in the UK, albeit here the population is only 1/12th of the size of the UK.

The official figures disagree, suggesting that the absolute no of road deaths is about 1/4 (447 in 2017 vs 1793) while the pro rata numbers are about 1.6x higher (in 2018, 46 per million vs 28, with the EU average 49).
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Gasman on 22 December, 2019, 09:23:02 pm
I read an article some years ago about the USA experience of such vehicles.  A big reason for their popularity was that they were classed as trucks and were therefore cheaper than cars as they didn't have to conform to the same safety standards.  Trucks could also be purchased as business vehicles and set against tax.  They were classed as trucks on the basis of the 'kerbside axle weight' (or some similar phrase); a notional value for the vehicle with a full load of passengers and cargo.  The author then pointed out that in many residential areas access to trucks is banned or severely restricted so it was perfectly feasible for local authorities to keep large SUVs off these streets.  What's more, with 'truck' again being defined by the kerbside axle weight, those who would inevitably argue that, since it never actually exceeded this limit, their vehicle should be allowed unrestricted road access could be given the equally reasonable response,
"In that case, PAY YOUR TAX!"
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: mattc on 23 December, 2019, 11:25:11 am
My understanding is that the MOAR ke, the more potential for injury and the greater the braking distance...
Having a low vehicle means that injuries tend to be less, or to more easily fixed parts of the body, which favours the lower and usually lighter cars, as well as the reduction in kinetic energy.

The kinetic energy makes less difference when there is loads of it. A car isn't slowed much when it hits a pedestrian, so having more energy makes little difference. The height is the big deal, as it alters how fast energy is transferred to the pedestrian, so what force is applied.

Braking distance isn't much affected by the car mass, as the more mass, the more weight so more friction is available, given the all post 2004 cars have ABS, so can maximise the friction on all the wheels. Braking distance goes up as the square of speed, so in that way the kinetic energy makes a big difference.
Makes sense to me. (but then I've only got a physics degree, what do I know ... )
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: hatler on 23 December, 2019, 05:37:33 pm
Another big reason for their popularity in the US was their being marketed with the implication that you need an SUV to be a 'man', or somesuch nonsense.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: tatanab on 23 December, 2019, 05:55:44 pm
Another big reason for their popularity in the US was their being marketed with the implication that you need an SUV to be a 'man', or somesuch nonsense.
I'd say that was pick-ups rather than a true SUV.  When I lived there a work mate had a big pick-up that did less than 10mpg.  I asked him "why?"  He said that as a householder he needed to be able to carry sheets of sheetrock walling about.  I asked when he had needed to do that. The answer came back "not yet, but I might".
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: hatler on 23 December, 2019, 05:59:49 pm
Ah, you're right. Pick-ups, but I can see where having a stack of them on the road would lead not quite so influenceable people to choosing to buy something equally huuuuuge.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: fuzzy on 29 December, 2019, 10:12:14 am
Another big reason for their popularity in the US was their being marketed with the implication that you need an SUV to be a 'man', or somesuch nonsense.

Don't expect sensible reasoning from the USA. I mean, look at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, DC.........
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Mr Larrington on 29 December, 2019, 02:05:18 pm
On my one and only visit to DC, mind, I was surprised at how titchy the White House is compared with Missis Kwin's abode in London's famous London :D
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: ian on 02 January, 2020, 04:00:09 pm
Yes, but the White House goes deep down underground, down to the caverns of the Illuminati and, of course, the ZOG. They're currently building a bigger fence around it, presumably to keep Donald either in or out.

I read the other day that BMW now have a model painted in Vantablack (basically the blackest, non-reflective pigment in scalable production, absorbs of 99.965% of incident light). Notwithstanding it's probably a marketing gimmick and they apparently had to adulterate the paint to generate a degree of reflectivity (now only ~98%), that seems genius-level stupid.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 January, 2020, 04:03:16 pm
Yes, but the White House goes deep down underground, down to the caverns of the Illuminati and, of course, the ZOG. They're currently building a bigger fence around it, presumably to keep Donald either in or out.
Or for Corbyn to sit on?
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: ElyDave on 04 January, 2020, 08:07:52 am
Yes, but the White House goes deep down underground, down to the caverns of the Illuminati and, of course, the ZOG. They're currently building a bigger fence around it, presumably to keep Donald either in or out.

I read the other day that BMW now have a model painted in Vantablack (basically the blackest, non-reflective pigment in scalable production, absorbs of 99.965% of incident light). Notwithstanding it's probably a marketing gimmick and they apparently had to adulterate the paint to generate a degree of reflectivity (now only ~98%), that seems genius-level stupid.

Is that what Hotblack Desiato used?
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Mr Larrington on 04 January, 2020, 01:35:34 pm
It's like, how much more black could this be?  And the answer is none.  None more black!

Oh...
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: sojournermike on 04 January, 2020, 04:57:23 pm
It's like, how much more black could this be?  And the answer is none.  None more black!

Oh...

0.035% or more accurately (1/0.99965-1)%, but it comes to pretty much the same thing - not much blacker

Why did they add reflectivity?
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: sojournermike on 04 January, 2020, 05:01:01 pm
Or I suppose you could look at the amount of light reflected and then you cna go much darker

https://www.dezeen.com/2019/09/24/blackest-black-mit-material-news-vantablack/ (https://www.dezeen.com/2019/09/24/blackest-black-mit-material-news-vantablack/)

10 times blacker

I suppose people might fall over it in the dark...
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: ian on 06 January, 2020, 10:03:30 am
It's like, how much more black could this be?  And the answer is none.  None more black!

Oh...

0.035% or more accurately (1/0.99965-1)%, but it comes to pretty much the same thing - not much blacker

Why did they add reflectivity?

I'd like to say 'road safety' but I expect to reduce the chances of people driving into it when it's parked.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: fuzzy on 06 January, 2020, 11:22:13 pm
If you study video of counter terror units in action, you will see that they are generally dressed in shades of grey or green. Black was used by the likes of the SAS for a while until it was realised that black shows up better at night than grey. Night isn't truly dark so, to dark adapted eyes, the total absence of colour that black becomes at night is easier to spot.

Therefore, driving a blacker than black car is a safety feature. Or something.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 January, 2020, 11:26:04 pm
That is mentioned in one of the later books in the Swallows & Amazons series. Something about your eyes learning to detect the blacker blackness that is an enemy ship at night. Although battleships are grey not black. Which must be so they don't show up at night.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: perpetual dan on 07 January, 2020, 09:19:28 am
Would a properly non-reflective be effective for shape camouflage - as gets used to make it hard to photograph new body shapes? Actual camo tends to attract attention, in a way that black doesn't.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: ian on 07 January, 2020, 09:29:09 am
Camouflage works against a background and not necessarily by looking like that background (wildcats, for instance, aren't green and brown) but by breaking up or confusing visual cues.

Urban streets are most characterised, after dark, by street lights and various forms of bright illumination. I doubt having a nearly completely absorbent vehicle is a bright idea. The drivers should, of course, be forced to wrap their vehicles in hi-viz after dark.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: PeteB99 on 07 January, 2020, 11:48:08 am
That is mentioned in one of the later books in the Swallows & Amazons series. Something about your eyes learning to detect the blacker blackness that is an enemy ship at night. Although battleships are grey not black. Which must be so they don't show up at night.

I believe the the Japanese navy did a major study between the wars that showed that all black ships were fairly visible at night. In any case naval camo is less about making the ship invisible (hard to hide a battleship that's 750 feet long weighs 40000 tons and is probably belching black smoke from its funnels) more about breaking up the outline to stop the enemy getting the accurate estimation of speed course and range that's necessary to be able to drop a shell on you.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: quixoticgeek on 07 January, 2020, 01:14:43 pm
I believe the the Japanese navy did a major study between the wars that showed that all black ships were fairly visible at night. In any case naval camo is less about making the ship invisible (hard to hide a battleship that's 750 feet long weighs 40000 tons and is probably belching black smoke from its funnels) more about breaking up the outline to stop the enemy getting the accurate estimation of speed course and range that's necessary to be able to drop a shell on you.

You say that, I once failed to find a 15000 ton battleship while following a piece of string that was attached to it...

J
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Andrew Br on 07 January, 2020, 10:56:39 pm
I believe the the Japanese navy did a major study between the wars that showed that all black ships were fairly visible at night. In any case naval camo is less about making the ship invisible (hard to hide a battleship that's 750 feet long weighs 40000 tons and is probably belching black smoke from its funnels) more about breaking up the outline to stop the enemy getting the accurate estimation of speed course and range that's necessary to be able to drop a shell on you.

You say that, I once failed to find a 15000 ton battleship while following a piece of string that was attached to it...

J

If it was only 15,000 tons QG, I doubt it was a battleship. Battlecruiser maybe ?  ;)

Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: fuzzy on 07 January, 2020, 11:03:53 pm
The art of concealment is to work on SSSSM- Shape, Shine, Shadow, Shilouette and Movement.

Sticking bits of foliage in your combat helmet, webbing or over your Main Battle Tank is as much about breaking up the shape of the thing to be concealed as making it blend in to the background. Camo nets with lots of scrim, snipers ghillie suits, scrim nets over heads and shoulders, disruptive paint pattern or uniform patter are also to disguise shape

Camouflage cream/ paint for combatants and hessian over glass is to reduce shine (Regimental Seargeant Majors go apeshit if you have mucky boots on parade. Likewise, they go absofuckinglutley ballistic if your APC is gleaming and shiny on the battlefield. You can't win against a proper RSM).

Hessian rolls on vehicles that are deployed to hang down to the ground over wheel arches and between wheels or skirts that conceal the area between the top of tank tracks and the chassis are to hide areas of unnaturaly shaped shadow.

Not driving or walking along ridge lines, crossing ridge lines/ hill tops in a standing position etc are to reduce being shilouetted against the sky.

Reduced movement reduces the chance of detection. Alien stillness does so as well. A bush moving in an otherwise still environment will likely be investigated as a potential fidgety squaddie. A completely static area in an otherwise windblown woodline will likewise be investigated (or subjected to probing fire) as a possible enemy.

There is a lot of thought and skill that goes into being a Rough, Tough, Hard to Bluff, Lean, Mean Fighting Machine.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Kim on 08 January, 2020, 12:07:37 am
Camouflage works against a background and not necessarily by looking like that background (wildcats, for instance, aren't green and brown) but by breaking up or confusing visual cues.

It's all just $generic_poo_colour to us dichromats, which covers most prey animals...
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Pingu on 10 January, 2020, 10:38:57 pm
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/jan/10/gm-relaunch-greener-hummer-lebron-james
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: rogerzilla on 12 January, 2020, 11:15:21 am
10mpg doesn't sound that bad for a Hummer, assuming those are the 0.8-sized US gallons.   With my annual mileage, that would only be £500/year on petrol.  I'm not sure one would fit on the drive, though, let alone down the road when all the morons have parked opposite each other on care home visiting day.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Rowan on 12 January, 2020, 12:27:46 pm
10mpg doesn't sound that bad for a Hummer, assuming those are the 0.8-sized US gallons.   With my annual mileage, that would only be £500/year on petrol.  I'm not sure one would fit on the drive, though, let alone down the road when all the morons have parked opposite each other on care home visiting day.
just fit some bull bars, you would get through  (or over the top). As for parking, you wouldn't need a drive, just abandon it on someone elses garden; you have to get into the mindset of a suburban battle tank driver. its far from normal
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 January, 2020, 07:41:03 pm
Was it in this thread that the increased road noise from the modern trend to wide, shallow tyres was mentioned? UNECE is working on it:
https://www.unece.org/trans/main/wp29/meeting_docs_grb.html
Quote
The Working Party on Noise and Tyres (Groupe Rapporteur Bruit et Pneumatiques - GRBP) is a subsidiary body of the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) that prepares regulatory proposals on vehicle noise and tyres for consideration and adoption by WP.29.  To develop those requirements, GRBP conducts research and analysis.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: Ham on 29 January, 2020, 01:26:07 pm
SiL has just acquired a pickup, it is massive, one of those with a full cab (with ISOFIX, natch).

In his defence, he does run a scaffolding company so is one of the few who can justify it.
Title: Re: The Rise (and Fall) of the Suburban Main Battle Tank
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 29 January, 2020, 02:34:49 pm
SiL has just acquired a pickup, it is massive, one of those with a full cab (with ISOFIX, natch).

In his defence, he does run a scaffolding company so is one of the few who can justify it.
I'm surprised at the number of these things I see at our allotment site. I wonder if some of the owners think that they're farmers rather than weekend mud wallowers