Why do cars understeer? Well, since the average driver reacts much better to losing front axle grip rather than having the back slide out of control, the factory setup on most vehicles out there, even machines as means as the Porsche 911 GT3 RS PDK, sees a certain amount of initial understeer being used as a safety net.
However, while it's not difficult to get past that shyness in the said Porsche, for example, when we're talking about sporty models that feature a front-wheel-drive layout, the understeer can get you in trouble.
We're here to give you an example of that, albeit one that seems to show a greatly exaggerated face of the issue, all due to what is probably an ABS problem - as those of you following our Nurburgring stories know, such problems unfortunately happen to the best of us (remember the Koenigsegg One:1 Ring lap record attempt crash?).
The piece of footage at the bottom of the page, which was captured during yesterday's Nurburgring public session, shows a Hyundai Coupe (you might know this as the Tiburon) almost taking out a BMW 3 Series, all due to terminal understeer.
The action takes place in Adenauer Forst, a corner whose surprising configuration always catches novices out. However, while most such episodes result in driver or riders using the vibrator as a trampoline and ending up on the grass without too many issues, the guy behind the wheel of this Hyundai didn't have this option.
That's because he entered the twist at the same time as an E90 3 Series. And while the Bimmer driver was minding his own business, the Coupe guy didn't adapt his entry speed to his modest Nordschleife knowledge.
And once the driver of the South Korean coupe slammed on the brakes, he locked his front wheels, heading straight for the 3er.
While the title of the YouTube video explains we're dealing with a crash here, we can't seem to notice the impact. Even so, the two drivers stop on the outside of the turn.
In fact, their decision is the one that provides the lesson here - unless forced to do so, never come to a halt in such an area, as your chances of getting hit by another car sliding out of control are more than serious.
Fortunately, though, sheer luck saved the pair of drivers in the video below, as their stationary moment didn't turn into an accident.
In his quest to bring you the most impressive automotive creations, Andrei relies on learning as a superpower. There's quite a bit of room in the garage that is this aficionado's heart, so factory-condition classics and widebody contraptions with turbos poking through the hood can peacefully coexist. Full profile
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