No, not those models that frequent a runway. Instead, two of the big introductions here at this year's New York Auto Show are trumpeting major weight reductions. To be fair, it did require major surgery in both cases.
Over the past few years, GM has come in for flak over their cars' hefty curb weight. But it's becoming clear that GM listened. The new Cadillac CTS claims to be the lightest car in the segment, weighing 200 pounds less than a BMW 528i. Based on our last 5 Series, that would put the Caddy around 3,800 lbs. The CTS is following in the steps of the smaller ATS, introduced last year. It weighs in about 50 pounds less than its main rival, the BMW 3 Series.
Of course, weight alone isn't the end all and be all determining fuel economy. The ATS may weight the scales less than a 328i, but the German gets five mpg better overall in out tests, and is quicker. Plus, whoever is crammed in the back of the Cadillac will wish for that 65-lb heavier--and considerably roomier--Bimmer. We'll see how the CTS stacks up in its class later when we buy one to test.
But the Cadillac's diet is low-ambition compared to the tonnage shed by the Land Rover Range Rover Sport. With an all-new aluminum body structure that shed the previous-generation's truck-like frame, and weight savings from lightened drivetrain components, Land Rover claims the new Sport weights a whopping 800 lbs less than before. That's equal to four not-particularly-stocky men. A V6 version weighs about 4,700 lbs while the V8 just crests 5,000--not bad at all for a plush yet off-road capable SUV.
Other changes to the Sport, including new supercharged engines and an eight-speed automatic, should deliver better than the fuel-sucking 14 mpg we got from our 2008 test car.
We expect this weight loss trend to continue with more success than most people have just trying to lose those annoying extra 10 pounds. But as the ATS example shows, it takes more than just a slim figure to post big fuel economy numbers.
