Did you know that, the 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 has a “Flying Car Mode”? Well, neither did I, but it appears that the car’s Performance Traction Management system knows what to do when the car goes airborne.
On a track like the Nürburgring Nordschleife, a fast car will definitely go airborne a few times, so Chevrolet engineers developing the Z/28 thought of a way to trick the traction control system in order to get faster laps.
Normally when a car loses contact with the ground, the traction control activates itself as the wheels spin up and slows the car down as it lands by reducing torque in order to increase traction.
Created for track use only, the “flying car” logic included in the Camaro Z/28’s PTM system integrates the chassis mode selection, Traction Control and Active Handling Systems. Each is tuned specifically in the Z/28 for optimal track performance and consistency, and is activated by the driver pressing a button in the center console.
“The unique logic in the system uses the ride-height sensors to determine the reduction in force on the tires that’s unique to track driving and allows the car to continue with uninterrupted momentum and, ultimately, a better lap time,” explains Bill Wise, Camaro Z/28 vehicle performance engineer.
According to GM, the “Flying Car Mode” improved the Camaro Z/28’s Nürburgring Nordschleife lap by up to 5 seconds. You can see how the system works in the official video posted below.
By Dan Mihalascu
PHOTO GALLERY