What Does the Gross Vehicle Mass Refer To?
1 Answers
The gross vehicle mass refers to the total mass of a vehicle when it is fully loaded with cargo or passengers as per regulations. Vehicles also have a curb weight, which is the total mass when the fuel tank is filled with gasoline and all fluids are topped up. Curb weight and gross vehicle mass are two distinct concepts. Supercars and racing cars typically have very light curb weights, as a lighter mass combined with powerful performance equals superior handling. For civilian vehicles, a lighter curb weight generally translates to better fuel efficiency, and vehicles with significantly lighter curb weights may not feel underpowered even with relatively small engines. Lightweight construction is the future trend in vehicle development, with manufacturers increasingly utilizing lighter yet stronger materials in vehicle production.