Quote:
Originally Posted by JCL
Sure manufacturers want us to buy SUVs, they make more money that way, higher profit margins. And the public has bought into it.
The rwd Volvo was rated 3500 lbs tow capacity, which is less than the tow rating of the current BMW 3 series sedan, about the same as the current Volvo cars like the S50. Volvo Canada sells hitches for the V50, S40, and S60. I don't know about VW in North America, but in Europe all VW models have tow ratings. The Passat has the same ratings as the Volvo, and is about the same size. Even Mini offers hitches, and published tow ratings.
Agree it was a different time. But we seemed to survive quite well without 300 or 400 hp, and 6000 lb tow capacities, in 4/5 passenger vehicles that had sufficient luggage capacity for a family.
I just think that our perception of what is 'normal' has shifted quite a bit, and I was struck by that when the OP asked if the E70 should be bigger for a familiy with one small child.
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Also, the older cars had larger components performing at a lower output level than newer cars. (i.e. understressed)
My '87 190DT's displacement is 2.5 liters, but its output is only 123hp with a 7.5 quart oil pan, its radiator looks like it came off a pickup truck. My 2000 Subaru Outback's engine has roughly the same displacement, but only a 4.0 quart sump and sometimes I have to look very close to tell whick is my radiator and which is the condenser. Now some of this may be due to the german vs. japanese design criterion, but there is also an old-new dynamic in there as well.
Blame it on trying to be lighter, cheaper (to build and service), more fuel efficient, more environmentally friendly. Unfortunately durability takes a back seat to them all.
I am actually going to get to the point...in order to tow a certain trailer weight reliably, the vehicle needs to be larger so that the vehicle components are not as stressed given the smaller new dimensions.
Actually not all new vehicles are like this--my father's Sprinter van has a 9.5 quart sump for all of 2.7 liters of displacement and ~150 hp, but that was designed for commercial duty (700-1 million miles of service).