Cadillac vs. BMW at The New York Car Show

[Katshot]

Originally Posted by thebigjimsho

Pretty simple explanation for that anomaly.

What? Because it's a few years older, it follows that it "should be" roomier and lighter per cubic foot of passenger cabin?

[The Tony Show]

STS / Lucerne

Rear Leg Room 38.3 / 41.4 (+3.1)

Shoulder Room 57.4 / 57.0 (+2.6)

3 inches more both leg room and shoulder room in the Lucerne- it's a bigger car. The Lacrosse, on the other hand:

STS / Lacrosse

Rear Leg Room 38.3 / 37.6 (-0.7)

Rear Shoulder room 57.4 / 57.0 (-.04)

The Lacrosse would be a much better size comparison.

[thebigjimsho]

Originally Posted by Katshot

What? Because it's a few years older, it follows that it "should be" roomier and lighter per cubic foot of passenger cabin?

No, because when you add a whole bunch of air bags, more bracing and added structure for the ever increasing safety requirements, electronics for stability and traction control, you name it, you add weight. Cars aren't heavier just for the sake of it...

[MauiV]

Originally Posted by Katshot

You got that right! Strange, considering some of these cars these days are getting close to the weight of the old dinosaur (which everyone used to call a big pig).

I saw an article about weight and the Corvette was the only model that currently weighs less than its predecessor 3-4 decades ago. The cars dimensions are smaller but they attribute the fact that the dozens of computers, airbags, sensors, Nav units, 6 disc changers, seat motors, window motors, trunk hydraulics etc etc etc bring the weight WAY up.

I think the Caddy comparison was a current DTS (the monster I am currently driving while mine is still in the shop) and a classic 59 finned Cadi with all the chrome.

[Katshot]

Originally Posted by thebigjimsho

No, because when you add a whole bunch of air bags, more bracing and added structure for the ever increasing safety requirements, electronics for stability and traction control, you name it, you add weight. Cars aren't heavier just for the sake of it...

I don't agree that it's anything to do with "safety requirements" etc. The performance cars seem to be the heavy ones. Look at the weight difference between base models and the performance models. THAT's where you see the cars gain weight. I think it's all the beefed-up chassis and drivetrain components that are causing the bloat.

[Katshot]

Originally Posted by The Tony Show

STS / Lucerne

Rear Leg Room 38.3 / 41.4 (+3.1)

Shoulder Room 57.4 / 57.0 (+2.6)

3 inches more both leg room and shoulder room in the Lucerne- it's a bigger car. The Lacrosse, on the other hand:

STS / Lacrosse

Rear Leg Room 38.3 / 37.6 (-0.7)

Rear Shoulder room 57.4 / 57.0 (-.04)

The Lacrosse would be a much better size comparison.

Try looking at ALL the dimensions, not just the couple that support your case. That's when you see that some cars are comparatively bigger in some dimension, yet smaller or basically the same in others. So you can't simply say that one car is larger or smaller than the other. You have to specify a certain point of reference to compare. And I think they do that on purpose so it's hard to draw direct comparisons with competitors.

[gothicaleigh]

In what world is a Buick a competitor of Cadillac's?

[The Tony Show]

STS Dimensions

Lucerne Dimensions

The Lucerne is bigger in every measurable category. I don't see why it's so hard to grasp why a car built on the DTS platform has more room than a car built on the CTS platform.

[Blackout]

Originally Posted by gothicaleigh

In what world is a Buick a competitor of Cadillac's?

Nobody is saying that but maybe he is

[Katshot]

Originally Posted by The Tony Show

STS Dimensions

Lucerne Dimensions

The Lucerne is bigger in every measurable category. I don't see why it's so hard to grasp why a car built on the DTS platform has more room than a car built on the CTS platform.

Did you even LOOK at the dimensions you posted?
According to your own info:
Rear head room - STS is larger
Front leg room - STS is larger
Front and Rear shoulder room - STS is larger

Thanks for proving my point.