first to be offered on 93 corvette i believe...

 

I think it was offered on one of the early-90s hot-rod Grand Prix models first - maybe the Turbo version?

 

I believe GM introduced Air bags in the mid 70s.

Randy

 

Speaking of latest technology and innovation...

http://economist.com/science/display...ory_id=4316021

New cruise control by 2008, from GM.

 

Who invented power steering?
A/C?
Fuel Injection?
Seat Belts?
Crumple Zones?


I cant believe on a lot of Toyotas still dont have true power steering, rather assisted steering... Yuck! I love having a car with power steering

 

What's the difference and which models only have the assisted steering instead of 'true power steering'?

I know on their higher end models they use variable ratio steering that is computer controlled and integrated with their vehicle dynamics stability control system... it even adjusts to fewer turns lock to lock when put into sport mode.

 

AFAIK, they have been working on this kind of stuff for quit a few years! I wonder how many innovations, were unveiled in concept form by GM, and then put into production by other manufacturers! I didn't know about the jersey barriers! I think they are using them down in N.O., to help block some of the water. Or the structural integrity of balsa wood, I figured there was some! I think my buddy was under the impression that, that was all there was to the floor! This is a great thread!

 

Balsa wood also acts as an insulator and sound damper.

 

And it's fun to build little airplanes outta'....oh the childhood memories.....

BTW, I wish CHevy woulda' used some in the rear area of the C5....kinda' noisy little buggers back there....

 

For being as big as it is, GM isn't offering as much technology as they should be in cars. They should be leading the way but most of the time they're lucky to even be catching up. I'm not saying it's entirely GM's fault, we have the gov't and unions to thank for a lot of that problem. Toyota having the best bottom line should be way ahead too, and they're getting there with hybrid technology.

 

I think once they (GM) get more of it (Hybrid tech) out there, you'll find, that it's much better than toyota's, from what I've read! Oh, I still have one of those balsa planes around here! Now where the heck did I put that damn thing?

 

Correct me if I'm wrong (I'm not an engineer), but that's the only reason it's there.

 

In ACAR they actually talk about the use of Balsa in the floor. Apparently for its weight it is suprisingly strong. It has a honeycomb style grain to it so that makes it stiffer. Also it is VERY light. Wrap it in metal to protect it from water and BAM a great material for the floor of the vette.

 

assisted steering... one things that really pisses me off, is when i'm in a parking spot or stopped, and i turn the wheel to a direction I want to go, perhaps I'm waiting at a stop sign or someting, I might get tired of holding it (because its assisted) and if i let go, the wheel goes back the way it was. On true power steering, when you move the wheel, the wheels move, regaurdless of whether the car is moving. like in the firebird. When I move the steering wheel, i can let go of it because the wheels are moved to the place I wantted them... Assisted steering is no more then more agressive gearing and a bit of power.

 

Uh . . . methinks you need a better knowledge of basic mechanics. Power steering and power-assisted steering are the same exact thing.

There are different types of power steering:
Power ram (very old system, think classic Mustang and Corvettes)
Power recirculating ball (still pretty old, think 3rd gen)
Power rack (pretty much what everyone has today)
Power rack variants include electric assist (Pontiac G6) instead of hydraulic, racks that vary steering assist (Corvette) and ratio (BMW). But it's all pretty much power rack.