View Single Post
Old 03-31-2006, 11:10 AM   #7
Ronzi
Registered User
 
Ronzi's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Denver CO
Posts: 748
"Porsche obssess over weight?

I don't think you've been talking to many 911 drivers."

Absolutely. They have always been weight-conscious in the design of their cars.
For a couple of reasons. One, with most of their cars they have been laboring under the handicap of limited power, traceable to limited engine size. Two, the weird rear-engine design of the 356 and 911 cars made it necessary to whittle every extra ounce out of the car, particularly in the rear end, i.e., the engine , to reduce oversteer.
At one time the weight-consciousness was called Porsche's "alloy lug nut syndrome". It was not a joke. My old '81 911 did have alloy lug nuts. It was a $30,000 car when new in 1981, but had the world's cheapest piece of carpet in the luggage compartment. But it weighed absolutely nothing.
Newer cars have had to meet safety regulations, which adds weight, plus the relentless desire of customers for more comfort and conveniece features.
Ronzi is offline   Reply With Quote