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0 pointsSEJeff6y ago0 comments

Lots of vehicles have less crush strength than the Model 3, and most of them don't have glass roofs. If you recall... the NTHSA testing of the Model S literally broke their machine. The NTHSA said the Model S had the best rollover test (top impact from their machine trying to crush it) of anything they've ever tested.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/videos/a5238/watch-the...

To really answer your question, I've arbitrarily picked a few common vehicles with metal roofs.

The IIHS says the Civic roof withstands 13,195lbs of force: https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/honda/civic-2-door-coup...

A Subaru Outback: 18,533lbs of roof strength: https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/subaru/outback-4-door-w...

A BMW 3 series has roughly the same roof strength as a Model 3: https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/bmw/3-series-4-door-sed...

An Audi A5 is only 16,327lbs of roof strength: https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/audi/a5-coupe-2-door-co...

You get the idea!

0 comments

baybal26y ago

One moment you missed. Electric cars are very heavy, and their centres of mass tend to be right below the cabin.

Having very strong pillars is pretty much a prerequisite for surviving a rollover in an EV.

SEJeffOP6y ago

Most people tell me the BMW 330i is very comparable to a Model 3, and its curb weight is 3,582 to 3,764 lbs (per BMW). The Model 3's curb weight is 3,627 to 4,072 lbs (per Tesla).

That isn't as big of a difference as I'd have expected.

thetinguy6y ago

Engines and transmissions are also heavy.

moduspol6y ago

They're not all that heavy any more.

The Tesla Model 3 is 3552-4072 lbs, while the new Jeep Wrangler (JL) is 3955-4455 lbs.

bradlys6y ago

I think it's more of a "relative" to certain cars.

I could compare it to a miata that is ~2300lbs. But that's not really relevant then, is it? A Jeep Wrangler is basically a truck - so I don't think that's a good comparison.

Compared to other "compact executive cars" (as its class states) it's close to the competition.

1 more reply

baybal26y ago

Suzuki Mehran dry mass is around 550kg, and it's made of steel, not aluminium.

A more spacious Alto that uses some aluminium and magnesium is around 650kg.

Talking about "not-so-heavy" cars...

1 more reply

maxerickson6y ago

The Model 3 is ~25% heavier than Ford Fusion.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

0 pointsSEJeff6y ago0 comments

https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/videos/a5238/watch-the...

To really answer your question, I've arbitrarily picked a few common vehicles with metal roofs.

The IIHS says the Civic roof withstands 13,195lbs of force: https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/honda/civic-2-door-coup...

A Subaru Outback: 18,533lbs of roof strength: https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/subaru/outback-4-door-w...

A BMW 3 series has roughly the same roof strength as a Model 3: https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/bmw/3-series-4-door-sed...

An Audi A5 is only 16,327lbs of roof strength: https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/audi/a5-coupe-2-door-co...

You get the idea!

0 comments

baybal26y ago

One moment you missed. Electric cars are very heavy, and their centres of mass tend to be right below the cabin.

Having very strong pillars is pretty much a prerequisite for surviving a rollover in an EV.

SEJeffOP6y ago

Most people tell me the BMW 330i is very comparable to a Model 3, and its curb weight is 3,582 to 3,764 lbs (per BMW). The Model 3's curb weight is 3,627 to 4,072 lbs (per Tesla).

That isn't as big of a difference as I'd have expected.

thetinguy6y ago

Engines and transmissions are also heavy.

moduspol6y ago

They're not all that heavy any more.

The Tesla Model 3 is 3552-4072 lbs, while the new Jeep Wrangler (JL) is 3955-4455 lbs.

bradlys6y ago

I think it's more of a "relative" to certain cars.

I could compare it to a miata that is ~2300lbs. But that's not really relevant then, is it? A Jeep Wrangler is basically a truck - so I don't think that's a good comparison.

Compared to other "compact executive cars" (as its class states) it's close to the competition.

1 more reply

baybal26y ago

Suzuki Mehran dry mass is around 550kg, and it's made of steel, not aluminium.

A more spacious Alto that uses some aluminium and magnesium is around 650kg.

Talking about "not-so-heavy" cars...

1 more reply

maxerickson6y ago

The Model 3 is ~25% heavier than Ford Fusion.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse