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by jagger27 1897 days ago
The differentiator for me is battery weight. Mazda can't make an electric MX-5 Miata with current battery density as it would cease to be a Miata. One of the core improvements (in my opinion) between the 3rd and 4th generation Miatas is the diet it went on, and that was only 110 lbs in the 2.0l model. The Japan-only 1.5l lost over 300 lbs over the 3rd gen.

Consider the Lotus Elise and the original Tesla Roadster. The Elise weighs in around 2,000 lbs. The Roadster is around 2,800 lbs. It's not 4,000 lbs, but it's a good chunk o' change more. I think we'll get closer eventually.
1 comments
protastus 1896 days ago
Yes. Cars have steadily gotten heavier and the EV conversion is making this worse.

Are most drivers aware though, or only racing enthusiasts? I think on a daily driver car, the weight increase has been masked since most people drive on smooth paved roads where there's no loss of traction (especially with ABS brakes and some form of traction control being standard). ICEs have improved power and efficiency to compensate.

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nikau 1896 days ago
For most drivers the weight is hidden by 8+ speed gearboxes, powerful fuel efficient engines and sticky tires compared to cars from 20 years ago.
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decafninja 1895 days ago
Yup - this. I think for most drivers, they simply don't care unless it noticeably affects them in some way.

Plus the average consumer probably doesn't care at all about handling characteristics.

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