Are cars REALLY getting smaller?

[Vesper Martini]

keeping in mind the old cars had thin doors, no room for airbags side protection bars etc.
and pretty basic seats, so internally they were quite roomy.
look at the original Mini for example,

[aussie muscle]

Ford Fairlane (ZH) next to a Toyota Corolla. the fairlane is longer, but same in other dimensions. Now, ask anyone if a fairlane is a big car and they will confirm it.

[Ken Dunn]

Good Evening,

Are cars REALLY getting smaller?

NSW Police used Cooper S as their pursuit cars.I always thought policemen were big fellows.Minis were and are still small.
So are cars getting smaller, or we are getting fatter.

Cheers,
Kenny

[XR Martin]

Originally Posted by aussie muscle

Ford Fairlane (ZH) next to a Toyota Corolla. the fairlane is longer, but same in other dimensions. Now, ask anyone if a fairlane is a big car and they will confirm it.
image

And the smallest vehicle in that image is by far the heaviest

[danzvtil]

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

And the smallest vehicle in that image is by far the heaviest

And the most economical to run.....

[aussie muscle]

Originally Posted by Ken Dunn

.Minis were and are still small.
So are cars getting smaller, or we are getting fatter.

the mini is definitely getting fatter

[Gothefalcon]

Originally Posted by aussie muscle

Ford Fairlane (ZH) next to a Toyota Corolla. the fairlane is longer, but same in other dimensions.

That photo is a great example... but a little deceiving. just out of interest.. I tried to find a few comparative specs....

Overall width
EH Holden 1727mm
2014 Corolla Sedan 1775mm
ZH Fairlane 1960mm

Overall length
EH Holden 4511mm
2014 Corolla Sedan 4620mm
ZH Fairlane 5179mm

Wheel base
EH Holden 2667mm
2014 Corolla Sedan 2700mm
ZH Fairlane 2946mm

Engine capacity/power/torque
EH Holden 2.45L/71kw/183Nm (low comp base motor)
2014 Corolla Sedan 1.8L/103kw/173Nm
ZH Fairlane 4.9L/151kw/364Nm

Think the ZH Fairlane still wins the "biggest" crown in this company... but the 2014 Corolla sedan specs show it's not really a "small" car anymore.

D

[Mr Hardware]

Originally Posted by aussie muscle

Ford Fairlane (ZH) next to a Toyota Corolla. the fairlane is longer, but same in other dimensions. Now, ask anyone if a fairlane is a big car and they will confirm it.
image

Hah, is that my Corolla?
It baffles me that people refer to the corolla as a small car. In fact, it's closer to a traditional large can than a medium!!
Now, my original 1980 4-seat corolla, that was a small car...

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

keeping in mind the old cars had thin doors, no room for airbags side protection bars etc.
and pretty basic seats, so internally they were quite roomy.
look at the original Mini for example,

The mini was unique. I have never seen another car like it. The doors on the XA/B/C Falcons were huge, and side protection bars have been in for a few decades.
If anything I'd suggest that slimmer doors and better use of internal space is a more modern trend. Ie, look at two cars, that have the same overall width; one from the 70's and one from now, and I think we'll find that the modern car is much roomier inside.