Quote:
Originally Posted by JamieGeek
Or emission/efficiency regulations (lighter GVWR vehicles now may be required to have a mpg that his higher than the V8 and/or V10 can provide so instead of doing the work to make them better they simply stop offering those combinations).
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I tried to research this topic out of technical curiosity, and found it difficult to even get started. About the only thing that seems a little clear is that different GVWR vehicles have different safety and emmissions requirements.
It's probably no coincidence that Ford E-Series chassis start at just above 10,000 pounds where the classification changes. The next class change appears to occur at 14,000 pounds. Obviously this makes the Axis' E-450 chassis at 14,500 pounds fall in a different class as the E-350 chassis that is rated at 12,500 pounds. That explains why Thor continues to use the E-450 for Axis.
Also of interest is that requirements will get tougher starting in 2017. That supports some early reports speculating that we will see more revisions next year.
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