I think TBO hit on something here that may very well lead to the answers to all your questions. At least it made me start thinking about it.

TBO pointed out that the pillars in today's cars are bigger in order to contain the window curtain airbags. That is only ONE thing, but there are NUMEROUS design considerations and constraints in new cars, that didn't exist not long ago. Many of them involving things that are required by law.

Today's technologies and requirements are changing our cars pretty quickly. The competition among so many different makers is also causing them to change.

It's a complex combination of things that are changing our cars, some things for the good, and other things for the better.

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2001 SLK 320 six speed manual
2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual

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