Just when I thought I was warming to the L400

[mararmeisto]

If only they had kept the cab-over design.... *sighs*

Ya, really! Was there any reason to push the engine back out front again like that?

"safety" you'll notice that no modern vehicles smaller than a city bus have a cab-over design anymore, it's really come about with the advent of crumple zones, you can't crumple safely if there's nothing in front of the passengers.

Now I don't for a minute think that the L300 was unsafe, but that's why you don't see cab-over designs anymore.

Ah yes, but if safety was an issue, then the cab should have been raised even higher, thereby allowing the vehicle which is being mowed down by the Delica to travel under the passenger area instead of through it. I mean this only makes sense.

With this design I've just described, the cab-over design can be retained, the Delica would look even more impressive and aggressive (ergo: meaner and cooler), and others would continue to foment their unacknowledged inner desire to own a RHD JDM.

[Green1]

Ah yes, but if safety was an issue, then the cab should have been raised even higher, thereby allowing the vehicle which is being mowed down by the Delica to travel under the passenger area instead of through it. I mean this only makes sense.

The L300 already has this design as much as is legally possible while respecting bumper height and headlight height laws.

I miss the cab-over design, but I do understand why it no longer exists.

[loki]

Ah yes, but if safety was an issue, then the cab should have been raised even higher, thereby allowing the vehicle which is being mowed down by the Delica to travel under the passenger area instead of through it. I mean this only makes sense.

With this design I've just described, the cab-over design can be retained, the Delica would look even more impressive and aggressive (ergo: meaner and cooler), and others would continue to foment their unacknowledged inner desire to own a RHD JDM.

you can't design your safety assuming your only going to hit a car, you could hit another delica, a bus, a big truck, a bridge and so on, the crumple zone would help in more situations than a higher cab imo.

[mararmeisto]

Ah yes, but if safety was an issue, then the cab should have been raised even higher, thereby allowing the vehicle which is being mowed down by the Delica to travel under the passenger area instead of through it. I mean this only makes sense.

With this design I've just described, the cab-over design can be retained, the Delica would look even more impressive and aggressive (ergo: meaner and cooler), and others would continue to foment their unacknowledged inner desire to own a RHD JDM.

you can't design your safety assuming your only going to hit a car, you could hit another delica, a bus, a big truck, a bridge and so on, the crumple zone would help in more situations than a higher cab imo.

Instead of crumple zones, what about big spikes to hold the offending vehicle at bay? Or one of those shields on the front of train engines? I've seen those push a cow right out of the way with nary a scratch to the train.

[psilosin]

All you need for collision safety is to add a lighted switch on the dash and then whenever things are about to get hairy just flick the switch and yell "shields up!". Works for Spaceships so it shoud work for Spacegears...

[mararmeisto]

All you need for collision safety is to add a lighted switch on the dash and then whenever things are about to get hairy just flick the switch and yell "shields up!". Works for Spaceships so it shoud work for Spacegears...

What about Star Wagons?

[glenn]

mararmeisto, I would gladly wait for a D:5, but I don't think I can hold out until 2022! Why do I yearn for what I cannot have?
I've noticed that you are moving on, but are staying in the family.

And as far as saftey, the most important improvement can usually be made to the nut behind the wheel.

[Green1]

And as far as saftey, the most important improvement can usually be made to the nut behind the wheel.

Everyone knows this, but it is also the only part of the vehicle that they absolutely refuse to regulate.