Myths and legends of the automotive world (I)

Today, while looking for photos of the car dismantling that Autobild carries out after its 100,000 km tests, I came across an interesting article about truths and falsehoods that have become established in the motoring world. It was a very lengthy article, so I have decided to split it up so that reading it doesn’t become endless. I am copying it word for word, since nothing in it is worth discarding.

The oldest and most frequent ones refer to the country of origin (a German, Japanese or Italian car), although in these times of globalisation and large groups there is no point in talking about borders. Things are no longer the same. Car production is gradually moving from the wealthy countries to low-cost ones (Eastern Europe and Asia, with much cheaper labour). Each part of the car is now made in a different corner of the world. Then there are the classic little tricks of engineering that were useful in their time, but that have not evolved at the same pace as technical advances and lag behind by one or two generations. The car industry is in constant evolution, in a fierce race to build vehicles that are safer, consume less and are easier to drive.

What was true yesterday is no longer true today. The new systems require a period of adjustment. Old clichés and some new ones.

The French have soft suspension

Quite the opposite.

The days of long-travel suspension like that of the iconic 2 CV are over. Launched in 1948, it was the French answer to the German Beetle. In many countries it was known as the “duck”, precisely because of its waddling motion. Today’s cars have joined the widespread trend towards a firm calibration. All that remains as a reminder of the old days are the plush seats.

Swedish cars are made of Swedish steel

That used to be the case, less so now.

This is an old, affectionate prejudice from the time when Volvo looked like tanks (and you often had the feeling you were driving one). In the era of the large groups, the sheet metal of the Volvo (which belongs to Ford) and of Saab (which belongs to General Motors) comes from every corner of the globe.

The Japanese copy like crazy

That was true in the 1960s and 70s of the last century.

Today it is the Koreans and, above all, the Chinese who have become the masters of duplication, so as to make up their technical and design lag at breakneck speed. The model is Western manufacturers with a long tradition behind them.

The Portuguese are bad drivers

Partly true, but their statistics have improved a great deal in recent years.

According to data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) from a few years ago, the road death rate in Portugal stood at 21 people per 100,000. This ratio was double the OECD developed-country average. This is one of the reasons the government has considered one of the lowest blood-alcohol limits in Europe (0.2 g/l). Road accidents are one of the main causes of death among those under 35. However, the reduction in deaths in the 1991-2003 period (54%) is better than Spain’s (44%).

All Italian cars rust

Not for a long time now.

There was a time when buyers of Fiat ended up furious and asked the Italian manufacturer to make colanders instead of vehicles. At most, Punto/Uno models over eleven years old show slightly above-average corrosion in their support parts. The Seicento, Palio, Bravo/Brava, Marea and Multipla are perfectly safe. The same goes for the Alfa Romeo and the Lancia.

A diesel pays for itself after 20,000 km

Not all of them do.

It is a general rule, but it depends greatly on the model and the manufacturer. For example, a Mercedes ML 320 CDI is worthwhile from the very first kilometre. On the other hand, for a Passat TDI you need to go beyond 21,000 kilometres.

One more week…

Via | Autobild