Mid Engine crash testing
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,788
Likes: 131
Mid Engine crash testing
Few touched / mentioned the highway safety crash testing or certifications meeting standards. Its not drop in the engine, widen the frame, and instant go cart. Some auto makers in the past have had limited production on mid / rear engine models and ceased production. For GM to sell 30 to 40 thousand C-8s a lot of engineering is taking place to accomplish this. Porsche has had rear engine cars for decades with relatively low production. Ralf Nader killed the Corvair with extensive ads . GM does not want any negative reviews on their behalf. It has to be 100% from day one production. The majority of drivers will never track the car or be in any drifting events. The average owner , most in the 50 plus range, will not perceive a huge advantage in the mid engine design if it boasts a MSRP well above past levels. Interior space, comfortable seating, and ease of entry / exit would take precedence .
Popular Reply
Sep 10, 2018, 01:16 AM
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 165
Likes: 85
From: Metro Detroit MI
In a previous life I was an engineer in the Product Performance group at the GM tech center. We would crash cars in super computers using non linear finite element analysis. GM knows exactly how those cars will crumple. Then they'd crash the s*** out of a bunch of 'em. We watched countless crash videos. (Wear your seat belt!) Government testing was anti-climatic. There have been so many advancements in chassis design to keep the G forces constant throughout the entire compression. GM knows what they're doing.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 165
Likes: 85
From: Metro Detroit MI
In a previous life I was an engineer in the Product Performance group at the GM tech center. We would crash cars in super computers using non linear finite element analysis. GM knows exactly how those cars will crumple. Then they'd crash the s*** out of a bunch of 'em. We watched countless crash videos. (Wear your seat belt!) Government testing was anti-climatic. There have been so many advancements in chassis design to keep the G forces constant throughout the entire compression. GM knows what they're doing.
Last edited by RedDropTop; Sep 10, 2018 at 01:25 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 85
From: Castle Rock CO
St. Jude Donor '15
The price of the Corvette keeps it off the typical crash test scenario for the Insurance Institue. The Government takes GMs test results for meeting the basic crash tests. I believe GM will use some of the validation cars as crash test vehicles in the near future. They crush them anyway, so probably a good source for crash test mules.
Last edited by WhiteDiamond; Sep 10, 2018 at 08:23 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,149
Likes: 1,349
From: Big D Dallas TEXAS
Technology has advanced car safety to a new level, extensive computer testing will be performed well before they hit the streets. It’s not only passing government regulations it’s keeping the brand integrity and any lawsuits to a minimum. Look at all the safety stickers they put on cars nowadays it’s ridiculous, cars are much safer than your old metal dash & lap belt versions from the 1960s.
Last edited by fasttoys; Sep 11, 2018 at 05:26 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 6,671
Likes: 4,144
2020 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Today they don't do the engineering the same way as the Corvair. They know exactly how the car is going to behave in every crash test before they crash it. The test just verifies what they already know.
There are always compromises. One of the reasons for getting rid of the clutch pedal is the footboxes today are smaller for more crash protection in a near head on (probably the most common head on). With just 2 pedals there's more space for your feet so the dead clutch pedal is actually attached to the crash structure supports.
There are always compromises. One of the reasons for getting rid of the clutch pedal is the footboxes today are smaller for more crash protection in a near head on (probably the most common head on). With just 2 pedals there's more space for your feet so the dead clutch pedal is actually attached to the crash structure supports.
Last edited by Sin City; Sep 11, 2018 at 01:24 AM.
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Spring, Tx
"The average owner , most in the 50 plus range, will not perceive a huge advantage in the mid engine design if it boasts a MSRP well above past levels. Interior space, comfortable seating, and ease of entry / exit would take precedence . "
I resemble that!
I resemble that!
Le Mans Master
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From: Austin Texas
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2018
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gm does not have to worry about the car passing crash test ratings as it is not a high enough volume vehicle, nor is it a family sedan, they have an unspoken agreement that the car will never be tested by the US Govt. Thus, it cant "fail"... as there is no test it has to ever "pass"