{"id":31473,"date":"2022-09-12T03:43:45","date_gmt":"2022-09-11T19:43:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carsome.my\/news\/item\/porsche-snap-oversteer"},"modified":"2022-09-12T03:43:45","modified_gmt":"2022-09-11T19:43:45","slug":"porsche-snap-oversteer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carsome.my\/news\/item\/porsche-snap-oversteer","title":{"rendered":"Snap Oversteer Claims Another Victim! This Time is a Porsche 996 GT2"},"content":{"rendered":"

Recently, a dashcam video circulated on the internet in which a <\/span>Porsche 996 crashed<\/span><\/a><\/span> at the Jalan Damansara Toll a few days ago. A Porsche 996 was beginning to accelerate after exiting the toll before it swiveled out of control, crashing into a Toyota Hilux in the opposite lane. As of this writing, there\u2019s no word on both drivers\u2019 conditions. But, it’s safe to assume both walked out unscathed albeit with a huge deduction to their NCDs and one less Porsche on the street.<\/span><\/p>\n

Our condolences to the poor Porsche driver for needing to bear a huge amount of repair costs. However, as the viral video gets shared around, people have been asking how did the Porsche manage to swivel out of its lane? Did the Porsche lose control as it accelerated? First off, let\u2019s begin by talking about the Porsche in the picture.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Read More: <\/span>Meet the 5 most expensive Porsches ever sold at auction<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Introducing the Porsche 996 GT2<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"\"The Porsche involved in the crash was presumably a 1997 – 2006 Porsche 996. Although the authenticity of its GT2 specification is up to debate, we\u2019ll leave it to your speculations. Nevertheless, it’s important to talk about the Porsche in the picture and why they are historically known as \u201c<\/span>Widowmakers<\/span><\/a><\/span>\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Porsche\u2019s core philosophy in their cars has always been using mid-engine, rear-wheel drive for all their 911 generation of cars. This particular generation of Porsche can be had with a 3.4 L – 3.6 L naturally aspirated or turbocharged flat-six engine. Mated with either a five-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission that sends at least 484 PS and 596 Nm. Being a boxer engine, it has an incredible 5,700 RPM to match and does the century sprint in 3.6 seconds (Per 996 GT2 Specs), an impressive feat for a car made by 1999\u2019s standards.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"PorscheImage Source: <\/span><\/i>Top Speed.com<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

For the uninitiated, Mid-engine, Rear-wheel drive cars (MR) are vehicles with their engines and drivetrain mounted on the rear end. MR vehicles have a performance advantage in traction and acceleration compared to contemporary front-engine, rear, and front-wheel drive cars. However, this comes at a cost of poor weight distribution which causes a tendency to oversteer and crashes easily.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Aside from Porsches, a handful of MR vehicles are available, such as Lamborghini\u2019s, the infamous Toyota MR2 lineups, and Pontiac Fieros. Even modern Porsches, despite all the driver assists, are prone to this issue as demonstrated on this <\/span>2019 Porsche 911 Prototype<\/span><\/a><\/span> at the Nurburgring.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Now it’s hard to put the finger on the cause of the crash here. Some blame hydroplaning due to wet road conditions or just simply Porsche\u2019s iconic Snap Oversteer in action. Before we get into what snap oversteer is, we need to explain what\u2019s understeer and oversteer in vehicles first.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read More: <\/span>Porsche 919 Evo Sets All-Time Fastest N\u00fcrburgring Nordschleife Lap Record!<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Oversteer vs Understeer<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/h2>\n

Understeer<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"UndersteerSource: Initial D<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Understeer occurs when your vehicle isn\u2019t turning as desired while cornering at high speeds. For example, when you turn your steering wheel to a sharp right, the whole car only turns slightly or still goes in a straight line, and the car crashes. Understeer is a common issue with front-wheel drive cars, but it can happen to rear-wheel and all-wheel drive too. To counter understeer, lift off the throttle to reduce speed and allow the front tires to regain traction. Additionally, braking early before taking the corner will further mitigate this problem from happening.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Oversteer<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"OversteeringSource: Initial D<\/span><\/p>\n

If understeer is common among front-wheel drive cars, then oversteer is prevalent among rear-wheel drive vehicles. Oversteer occurs when the rear wheels lose grip from using too much power needed while cornering, and the car crashes. Similarly, just like understeer, slow down by gently lifting the throttle of your car if you think the vehicle is about to turn more than expected or beginning to lose grip on the rear wheels. In the motoring world, oversteering is widely regarded as the basic principle for drifting. Cue the Eurobeat music.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Snap Oversteer?<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"JustSource: <\/span><\/i>MR2 Australia Youtube<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Now we got both principles explained, it’s time to explain what snap oversteer did to that Porsche. Snap oversteer is a phenomenon in MR cars when the driver lifts off the throttle mid-cornering. What follows after, is all the weight at the rear of the vehicle gets sent to the front of the car in a quick motion; while making the rear suddenly light in weight. For vehicles, less weight applied on the wheels equates to lesser grip exerted \u2013 this sends the Porsche spinning out of control from all the weight and grip present at the front.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Although officially, it is dubbed as lift-off oversteer, the term snap oversteer tends to be applied when the vehicle in question is an MR layout. We suspect this Porsche accelerated too hard on wet roads and the following events transpired. There is a whole lot of physics to explain but this article we found <\/span>here<\/span><\/a> puts it better and in detail.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How Can I Counter Snap Oversteer?<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"ModifyingStart With Your Modifications<\/span><\/h3>\n

A saying that is as old as time; prevention is better than cure. Or in this case, a total loss of your vehicle. If you do own an MR vehicle, consider applying the following modifications:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n