Rides : 2008-2009 Pontiac G8 recalled over airbag concern

General Motors is recalling around 38,000 Pontiac G8 sedans from its 2008 and 2009 model years. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that the cars may have a passenger-side airbag flaw that might prevent proper deployment in certain scenarios.

According to NHTSA, the airbag might not adequately protect a fifth percentile woman – that is, a woman around four-foot, 11-inches weighing 108 pounds. The New York Times indicates that the anomaly was found during a crash test conducted by GM's Australian branch, Holden, which was testing the G8's twin (read: Commodore) for head injuries. According to that report, the test in question is specifically tailored to simulate injuries to females, so the results do not apply to men or children.

The issue has been blamed on a seat position sensor that governs airbag deployment rates. NHTSA indicates that when the front passenger seat is moved all the way forward, the faulty sensor may inappropriately trigger a 30-millisecond delay between airbag stages, potentially leading to greater injuries.

With the Pontiac division closed, other GM dealers will reprogram the sensor module of models covered under the recall at no cost to vehicle owners. GM says that no injuries have been reported as a result of this issue.

 

Press Release

Report Date :
November 7, 2011 at 11:35 AM
NHTSA Campaign ID number :
11V534000

Vehicle Make / Model:

Model Year(s):
PONTIAC / G8

2008-2009
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS LLC
Mfr's Report Date: NOV 03, 2011
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 11V534000
NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
Potential Number of Units Affected: 38,444

Summary:
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 PONTIAC G8 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 2, 2007 THROUGH JANUARY 22, 2009. A 5TH PERCENTILE FEMALE ANTHROPOMORPHIC TEST DEVICE (ATD) IN A 30 MPH FRONTAL BARRIER TEST EXCEEDED THE HEAD INJURY CRITERIA (HIC) REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD. WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT POSITIONED FULL FORWARD, THE SEAT POSITION SENSOR WILL CAUSE A 30 MILLISECONDS DEPLOYMENT DELAY BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND STAGES OF THE DUAL-STAGE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIR BAG.

Consequence:
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THIS DELAY MAY RESULT IN INCREASED HEAD INJURY TO CERTAIN FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS.

Remedy:
GM DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

Notes:
OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

Rides : 2011 Vauxhall VXR8 Makes Us Miss the Pontiac G8 Even More

There’s a decidedly worn out saying claiming it’s better to burn out than to fade away. Pontiac, arguably the most lamented casualty of GM’s bankruptcy, was mercifully able to go out with a bang by way of the slick G8 sedan (and, to a lesser extent, the Solstice roadster and good-luck-finding-one coupe). Basically a re-grilled, left-hand-drive version of Australia’s popular Holden Commodore, the G8 was a mid- to full-size, rear-drive sedan offered with a choice of a V6 or two V8s, though only the top V8 – the 6.2L LS3 in the GXP – was available with a stick. Nevertheless, the G8 was brilliant, but with the demise of Pontiac, it was gone from these shores almost as soon as it arrived.

However, this same basic car is still available in other parts of the world. One of those parts is Great Britain, where the Commodore is known as the Vauxhall VXR8. But the revised 2011 edition isn’t just based on any ol’ Commodore; oh no, the new VXR8 is a right cracking motor, gov’nah.

The new VXR8 is based on the also new E3 GTS, which is produced by Holden Special Vehicles (HSV); the old VXR8 was based on the more humble HSV Clubsport R8. That means Vauxhall’s new resident tire-atomizer packs an LS3 putting down 425hp and 405 lb.-ft of twist, fed to the back wheels through a 6-speed transmission of either the automatic or manual persuasion. You also get a launch control mode. No points for guessing that all that translates to impressive straightline abilities (4.9 seconds 0-60 mph, electronically-limited 155 mph top speed), but bringing the horizon closer is only half the story. For occasions where turning is necessary, the VXR8 is fitted with a Magnetic Ride Control system similar to the ones found in other high performance GM products like the Corvette ZR1 and Cadillac CTS-V.

Technophiles will also be pleased to note the presence of something Vauxhall is calling Enhanced Driver Interface, or EDI. Basically, it’s an onboard telemetry system that displays information such as G-forces, lap time and even drift angle on the 5” dashboard screen that’s also used for navigation and other functions, including touchscreen dialing for the Bluetooth system. Naturally, there are also Aux-in and USB plugs so your portable music player and the VXR8 (with its raucous dual exhaust setup) can collaborate in, er, pleasuring you aurally.

Outside, the VXR8 announces its sporting intentions like a shotgun blast announces that you brought your date home two hours after the time her old man specified. That is to say, loudly enough to make your eyes pancake-sized. The Hazard Yellow pictured here will be just one of the hues on offer, and it certainly makes the hyper-aggressive styling features like the jumbo fender vents, LED running lights, rear spoiler and beefy alloy wheels whose spoke pattern bears a probably-not-coincidental resemblance to the symbol for radioactivity really pop. No flying under the radar (or, since this is the U.K. we're talking about, speed cameras) in this super sedan.

All this for the equivalent of about $77,300, though keep in mind that figure includes Old Blighty’s 20% VAT (value-added tax). With rumors of the Commodore returning to these shores as a Chevrolet (which, interestingly, is what it is sold as in Middle Eastern markets) recently resurfacing, we can’t think of a better basis for the SS model of whatever this new model would be called (Chevelle? Lumina? Camaro Brougham?). Please GM North America, make it happen. We don’t want to have to take a page from the Jericho fanboi book and start mailing you jars of vegemite until you change your mind. Seriously, the postage on that would get pricey in a hurry…

Your fears can stop you or they can prepare you. And you get to decide which it will be. - Ralph Marston

Pure Comedy
Affion Crockett (As Ricky Rozay) BMF Freestyle



Can You Hear Me Now?
Verizon to pay $90 Million to
Wrongfully Charged Customers

GO

What Your Car Says About You

GO

You Have A Bright Idea..Now What?

GO

How To Compliment a Naked Woman

GO

50 Best Sex Tips

GO

50 Stylish Villains of All Time

GO

Young Money
(Not the record label)

GO

25 Most Dangerous Cities 2010
(If you live here, MOVE!)

GO

R.I.P. To 4 U.S. Car Brands

GO

Preview and Download My Newest House DJ Set



Preview and Download My Newest Hip Hop/R&B DJ Set



Craig Mills DJ Sets Via Soundcloud

GO