KIA Cars Underpowered?

[Vit4wd]

The facts -

 

Picanto 1.1M - 930kg

Vios 1.5M - 940kg

 

Rio 1.3M - 1015kg

Wira 1.3M - 970kg

 

Not surprising that the fuel consumtion for Kia cars are high, as the poor engine has a heavy body to drag around.

[Irene]

So this implies that.. Kia cars are.. ??

[Hattee]

2 inferences here - the korean are too stupid to use lighter materials or the other 2 models have short-changed its owner with some essential use of materials.

 

Of course, there are still those even believing these car makers introduces high tech to reduce weight for their low-end models.

[Nerd_on_wheels]

heavy cars provides a sense of stability.

[Falc]

I think it's the distributors who select the engine size for the respective models to bring in, and the distributors are .....singapore companies ...

[Hattee]

Generally, each category of Conti, Korean and certain Japs have certain typical weight. Compared the size of Picanto and Vios, and looking at their weight possibly cannot run away from these inferences ...

 

"2 inferences here - the korean are too stupid to use lighter materials or the other 2 models have short-changed its owner with some essential use of materials.

 

Of course, there are still those even believing these car makers introduce latest high tech to reduce weight for their low-end models."

[Falc]

Not sure abt the rest of the quoted cars, but i heard from someone that the picanto drives quite well in our start stop traffic due to good low rpm torque.

[Genie47]

You have hit the nail! Depends on what the car is designed for. Weight does factor in but that is compensated with gearing. The Picanto is bred as a city car. Just like the old SF310 Swift and every 3-cylinder small car made. The low end torque is more than adequate.

 

A mixed city and highway bruiser will be different of course. You can't have your cake and eat it.

Edited April 25, 2005 by Genie47

[Silver_blade]

2 ....the korean are too stupid to use lighter materials or the other 2 models have short-changed its owner with some essential use of materials....

Light weight material too expensive to use.

[Hattee]

Like that Camry must be more expensive than Lexus if you look at their weight closely.

[Mydotcom]

Light weight materials also means it is easily dented. It takes only a slight know to make a big dent in Jap cars.

[Johnchong]

Yah, I've seen it happening. Jap cars get real crumpled!

Is it merely down to lack of technology?

I mean continental cars are heavier and more solid, but they still run faster than Jap ones. (Of course not all lah)

[Falc]

Good point on the gearing comment. And such small city cars better be manual, else it can really feel bog when loaded. I remember the old Nissan March 1.3 is auto and it's really no power when loaded .....

[Hattee]

Crumple zone is often the consolation given. But use of lighter (probably thinner) material are also in many parts, from frame, transmission box, drive shaft, axle, steering rod etc. Obviously, heavier materials are not just for protection purpose. And how often accidents happened on crumple zone even assuming it works?

 

There are always those believing these car makers introduce sophisticated technology to reduce weight for their low-end models (which no other car makers can do). That might explain why these light-weight models sell so well here and probably not in America and Europe.

[Route]

the old nissan march is 1.0

[Falc]

1L auto?

[York]

there's a 1.3L March but not available locally...I think in NZ & Aus, they ve it...the CG13DE, if not mistaken..

[Vernon]

I think they use regular steel which is heavier and cheaper. Well, Conti cars are quite heavy too if you just compare the weight alone. Truth is that most korean cars use these more affordable sheet metals so that their cars can be priced more compeititively. It's not that the Koreans are unable to use lighter sheet metal. Money is the most important thing in this world, remember?