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Registered
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Linn County, Oregon
Posts: 48,955
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rcooled
Gone are the days when kids can play "Name that car" while driving around with their folks.
Manufacturers now pay close attention to drag coefficient numbers to reap free MPG from slippery shapes. One big downside is that many vehicles now look so similar that badging really IS the only way to tell them apart. SUVs are a lost cause as far as styling is concerned anyway...only so much you can do with big boxy shapes like that.
After 4 previous BMWs, I now have the lesser 230i and feel the same about it...one of the nicest driving cars I've had in quite a while. The latest M240i version must be a real hoot with an additional 125HP on tap in the same chassis...and total bonkers with the 473HP in the M2 
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Bingo..it's all about drag coefficient numbers and govt. CAFE standards...which pretty much puts the stylists out of work....making all cars having the rolling jelly bean shape.
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"Now, to put a water-cooled engine in the rear and to have a radiator in the front, that's not very intelligent."
-Ferry Porsche (PANO, Oct. '73) (I, Paul D. have loved this quote since 1973. It will remain as long as I post here.)
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