quote from autoweek.com

"Duncan suggests the 2005 Mustang is likely to be the last model to include a three-spoke steering wheel since pending airbag regulations will make such a design impossible. "



What is this new airbag regulation?

Does this new airbag have to look like Ralph Nader when its deployed or something?

 

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
All the Caddies and a few other cars are gunna have to get an update.

 

Yes... but its not his face.

 

There is an advanced airbag system required by 2006 as part of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 208 regulation:
(http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov)

The phase in of these new rules bagan Sept. 1st 2002, and will wrap up Sept 1, 2005.

In short, this is what we're looking at:

*Smart sensors that detect the presence of a person and the ability to determine if that person is a child or a small adult & adjust airbag deployment limiting potential injury.

*Testing airbags on child dummies. There is also a new standard fro the dummies themselves.

*Improved sensors that deploy the airbag before you move towards the airbag.

*Elimiating unneeded tests while using more real world testing (ie: fixed barrier vs genaric sled).

*Extended availability of on-off switches on airbags.

There is no rule eliminating 3 spoke steering wheels, and no rule that would restrict them on any automobile that I can find or is mentioned in any amendments to 208 or revised airbag regulations, which will be in full effect for 2006 cars.

There IS a new head restraint regulation. Look at the headrests on the 300, Malibu, and Mustang, and you'll see the future as well as the new regulation.

There also is a brand spanking new proposal on side impact crashes (http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/nhtsa/annou...e=pr22-04.html) but again, it doesn't seem to have any bearing on how many spokes a steering wheel has.

I'll see what else I can find.

 

I think the Solstice wheel looks great, I'd hate to see that not be avalible.

http://www.fast-autos.net/pontiac/solstice17.jpg

 

I don't understand why this would affect the number of spokes a steering wheel has?

I wonder when cars will start to come with that foam that hardens like in Demolition Man.

 

a long while ago someone mentioned one of the causes of the fbody death was new safety regulations. could this be one of the things that it wouldnt meet? funny how the new air bag phase starts 4 days after the fbody death...

 

Hardly my friend.

Besides, Camaro had a 4 spoke steering wheel.

 

No...they were A-pillar padding regulations.

 

*snaps fingers* damn, hoped i was on to something.

 

Apparently, the new Mustang steering wheel will only be around for one year. The '06 and beyond will be redesigned with two spokes.

 

the new CSV's have 3 spoke wheels too.

 

I still haven't found anything related to this supposed new regulation.

Anyone throw some light on it?