When did cars get so tall??

[Richard Moss]

I think it started with the FIAT Uno. The designers (Guigiaro) came up with the clever idea of increasing legroom on small cars by making the seating position higher and therefore the roofline had to be higher.

On the subject of drag, it's not just the drag coefficient that matters but the frontal area, too. It's actually usually easier to get a low Cd on a larger vehicle than on a small one but if you increase the frontal area you increase the drag noticeably. An 800 is approximately 1.95m wide and 1.4m tall - frontal area 2.73 square metres. The current Modeo is 2.1m x 1.5m = frontal area 3.15 square metres. So even if they had the same Cd, the Mondeo would have 15% more drag simply due to its size.

(Note: the current Mondeo and Mercedes s-class are almost identical width and height!)

[schuwolf]

Most of the Germanic cars, including Bentley & Rolls Royce, have very large, brick like fronts. Inefficient I would think, and very ugly

[AcuteViewer]

The Rover is particularly narrow with a low bonnet due to Honda's (Japanese home market) requirements. But there is a perception that the Rover is a big luxury barge from the ignorant observer. In my experience it is a nimble performer and very snug. Compared to my old 80s Audi 100cc it is tiny.
The current tend for cars like the Nissan Juke and the new Range Rover Evoque, with massive wheels and minimal glass is, IMHO, dreadful.
On the subject of tall cars, my friend's Honda Jazz is comfortable for four adults and is very nimble to boot.

[SJG]

And so wide....

Would the 800 be regarded as a medium sized car if it was still made?

[Richard Moss]

That 's an interesting view!

[BennyVitesse]

Brilliant pic Simon!

The rear doors on both cars seem to finish in about the same place (might be camera angle) which suggests to me that the Jag either has a massive boot or very good protection in a crash!

Bearing in mind that the 800 is actually bigger than a 75 how would that be classed if it were still on sale here in the UK today?!

I'd hate to have to try and park these modern cars!

[Tim]

Is that an XF 2.2D? (Jags new 520d company car list rival) Note the single tailpipe...

[Very Tall Brad]

I have never regarded the 800 as a big car, really. A big car is a lwb Rolls or Daimler.

To pick up on Simon's question, I think the 800 would now be regarded as a medium size car, such as a Focus. But with very different proportions.

[schuwolf]

I've had big cars (Yanks) & I agree with Brad, the 800 is a medium sized car, like the Mondeo or Insignia, although it feels like a big car at times. Not as roomy as a XJ6 but more elbow room than a 75. More desirable than any Eurobox

[CHR15E]

Blimey, odd to see it like that.

Biggest issue for me is that they're not as wide as probably they could/should have been.

[Alex SBY]

It's all relative. Bearing in mind they were when new in the "executive" sector (pitched against Senators/Granadas/XMs etc) they were clearly "big" cars compared to say Escorts/Astras.

Overall though cars have got bigger overall. Compare a Granada of the same vintage and you'll find it's not much bigger (if not smaller) than a Focus today! Bear in mind that the Focus replaced the Escort...

I once parked an XJ40 alongside an X350 (the last shape XJ), and it looked tiny. Cars have got bloated, fact. Presumably through safety requirements.

[TDHFastback]

Isn't it true that the new Polo is bigger than the old Golf and they are new introducing a new small car because their small car is well errr big.

800s look weeny on the motorway with modern traffic around them.

Kate

[BlueRover]

I always like the fact that people tell me how roomy the 800 is despite it's obvious lack in outside dimensions. I think the rear legroom is one of the best of any car and that the front passenger can read a map or book without having to rest it on the dash.

[Richard Moss]

The story goes that Rover wanted it to be bigger but were constrained Honda's requirements. With less overhangs at the ends, it could have been in the 600's market sector and LWB model would have been a better executive model.

[Manalishi]

Same regarding weight of cars. My fathers Audi 100 was considered a fairly large car in 1987. It weighs 1220kg, less than about anything nowadays. My Passat from the 70s were 900kg.

I remember I had a discussion with my father, I was to use his garage for my 800, and he claimed it would be too big to go in. I replied that his Audi 100 fitted very nicely but he then meant that the R800 was a lot bigger. Which it isn't. Maybe that's the trick? It looks big but it really isn't. And as Rich wrote, it's based on Honda, fairly medium sized cars. (even the Legend)

My 2004 Accord is h-u-g-e and 100kg heavier, but still the inside is smaller, especially in the rear.