GM doesn't want you drifting in their Camaro.
08-14-11, 03:47 PM
#1
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
GM doesn't want you drifting in their Camaro.
Having a 2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS stuffed with a 426-horsepower V8, six gears and the rear wheels doing the pushing is reason enough for anyone to want to get a little sideways. Trouble is, letting the tail hang in your 5th-gen Camaro could get pretty uncomfortable.
During a drifting session in a parking lot at Michigan's Milan Raceway, Paul Beiswenger of Lopez Tire and A&D Autosport managed to deploy the car's side curtain airbags, apparently spontaneously. Beiswenger was fine, but his female passenger suffered minor burns on her right arm. The solution? Cut the airbags down and keep going. We love it.
General Motors' take? The incident is an indication that the system is working as it should. GM spokesman Alan Adler said the car is designed to "predict" an imminent rollover and deploy the curtain airbags proactively. That's a brilliant feature if you're indeed on your way through the spin cycle, but as you can see, it isn't exactly conducive to hooning.
During a drifting session in a parking lot at Michigan's Milan Raceway, Paul Beiswenger of Lopez Tire and A&D Autosport managed to deploy the car's side curtain airbags, apparently spontaneously. Beiswenger was fine, but his female passenger suffered minor burns on her right arm. The solution? Cut the airbags down and keep going. We love it.
General Motors' take? The incident is an indication that the system is working as it should. GM spokesman Alan Adler said the car is designed to "predict" an imminent rollover and deploy the curtain airbags proactively. That's a brilliant feature if you're indeed on your way through the spin cycle, but as you can see, it isn't exactly conducive to hooning.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpL4VwhYSE8
08-14-11, 04:00 PM
#3
Lexus Fanatic
General Motors' take? The incident is an indication that the system is working as it should. GM spokesman Alan Adler said the car is designed to "predict" an imminent rollover and deploy the curtain airbags proactively. That's a brilliant feature if you're indeed on your way through the spin cycle, but as you can see, it isn't exactly conducive to hooning.
08-14-11, 04:10 PM
#7
GM is probably correct. They design their street cars for on-road-safety in an imminent rollover (which getting sideways often precedes), not for Wanna-Be-Michael-Shumackers drifting on a race-track. Drifting is considered abuse, and can affect the warranty. It also tears up the rear tires and puts a lot of stress on wheel bearings and the rear U-joints.
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08-14-11, 05:30 PM
#10
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And so what if you're out driving in really wet weather or in snow/ice conditions. A rear wheel drive car in snow even with snow tires it is inevitable that you'll get the rear sliding out a bit.
So the same thing will basically happen? Side airbags deploy and you can't see anything, possibly getting hurt by the airbags
So the same thing will basically happen? Side airbags deploy and you can't see anything, possibly getting hurt by the airbags
