Are the roll bars in the XFRoadster functional or, are they "just for show"?

I have thought of joining NASA and take driving classes but they require convertables to have roll protection.

I want to make sure they are ok.

 

I would have thought that the road safety regulations for the roll-bars would mean they are functional.

Without trying them out in practice, can you get a ruling from the Racing Organisers?

You could ask DC for a copy of their Crash Tesh records for the Roadster.

 

Has anyone seen >ANY< crash test results for >ANY< Crossfire? Everywhere I've looked says "not tested". :?

 

They are called "Sport bars" and are cosmetic like the spoiler on the roadster.

-marc

 

:shock: Let's hope NOBODY on this forum ever "accidentally" tests it :wink:

 

Just curious... why do you say the spoiler is cosmetic on the roadster? Doesn't it serve the same purpose as those on a coupe???

 

No - see this thread...

https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...pic.php?t=2279

-marc

 

Well, I contacted DC Support and here is their response.

I asked...

"Are the rollbars on the 2005 Crossfire functional or cosmetic?

Also, is the rear spoiler functional or cosmetic?"

=====================================
DC Response:

The rollbar is a functional piece but not approved for racing. The rear
spoiler is more an air deflector causing more air through oil cooler.

Sincerely,

Frank
Senior Staff Representative
DaimlerChrysler Customer Assistance Center

 

How would a oil cooler get more air in the rear?Did they think you have a rear engine?All spoilers cause turbulence for less air suction,and more downforce.

 

That's what I thought!

I'm glad I'm not the only one.

I am going to have to get more clarification.

 

When did they start putting an oil cooler on the rear end of a car ??? :lol: I think you got an e-mail from a secretary at DC, not a tech...

The rear spoiler is functional... Though I don't have the exact calcs. for the down force created by the wing... As I have not seen any wind tunnel tests... But based on the front/rear weight differential, I would guess the wing produces enough down draft to keep the *** end of the car on the road at speeds over 100mph...

So unless you're driving those speeds, it would be cosmetic... Unless of course they have a hidden little oil cooler in the rear turn signals... :lol:

 

I can't find a rear oil cooler in my coupe...must be a feature only roadster buyers get... :wink: And I'll wager some heavy cash it's another of them things the UK folks can't get either...

 

Whew!!! You know - I must say many of the "technical" things I read on the forum are way over my head. I enjoy reading them and can only hope that at least a little will sink in and I know that I learn something new every day. This one had me puzzled and I thought I was more lost than I ever imagined.

I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO glad that apparently I didn't just "not get" this one. Thanks everyone for your posts expressing my doubts! :wink:

 

According to the NHTSA (Nation Highway and Transportation Safety Adminitsration) the 2005 XF Roadster has not been tested, how ever the 2004 XF Coupe has.... see image

 

Full report info here:
http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/testing/ncap/Cars/2617.html
"NCAP stands for New Car Assessment Program. If you�fve heard of "government 5-star ratings," then you know NCAP. NCAP is part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
NCAP provides consumers with vehicle safety information, primarily front and side crash test results, and more recently rollover ratings, to aid consumers in their vehicle purchase decisions. The test results are relayed to consumers via an easily recognizable star rating system - from 1 to 5 stars, with 5 being the highest."

For those who don't want to go look for themselves, Frontal Crash Driver 5 stars, passenger 4 stars. Side Impact 5 stars. 5 stars means "10% or less chance of serious injury" and is the best possible rating.

We have what the government would consider a very safe car.

 

david...great post...thanks!

 

A little confused by some of the posts....

The spoiler is fuctional and needed on the coupe.

The spoiler may add some downforce to the roadster but it is not really needed.

Porche has something simular where the rear would pop out and that was to help cool it down (rear engine setup). I am not sure what the rep that replied the quesitons knew the answers.

As far as the roll bars they talked about these on the speed channel test drive show. They said they where sports bars and basically for looks.

Glad to know our car is good in a wreck - thanks for the info.

-marc

 

That's awesome, Dave!!! Thanks