What the heck is a panic handle?

[BADMIHAI]

Clarkson was talking about this in his review of the Audi R8. I was wondering WTF a panic handle is for a car. He referred to the Audi R8 not having a panic handle, unlike most supercars? Does he mean a handbrake? Please help me Brits! :oops:

[carsightings]

when did he review the R8?

[gucom]

yes i've always understood the panick handle to be the handbrake... not 100% sure though

[RC45]

Panic handle is often refering to a handle that the passanger can grab to steady themselves in an event they "panic" ;)

Often located above the door or on the dash (in modern cars sort of a silly place to put it - as the airbag will bash your brains out if it deploys while you are holding it)

But you never can tell when the gorilla with the Keegan hairdo starts raving exactly what he is talking about...

[T-Bird]

the panic handle is also commonly refered to as the "OH SHIT" handle
The handle up above your head for the passenger to hold on to

[BADMIHAI]

Here's the article: http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/driving/jeremy_clarkson/article1869881.ece

[Z3uS]

Here in Brazil it's slang is "Puta Merda" Which stands for "Holy Shit"

[Pokiou]

We call it the Jesus Bar.. cause you end up selling JESUS CHRIST at a sign of any danger.

[Mattk]

I never knew it had a defined name.


I have it even for the driver in my car

Can't you just hold onto the steering wheel? Or is that the back-up in the unlikely event that the steering wheel breaks off? :P

[ZfrkS62]

Panic Handle
Oh Shit Handle
Watch This Handle
Religion Handle
Grip Test Handle

different names, same function :wink:

[acmarttin]

My grandpa likes to just hold onto it whenever he's a passenger in a car - not really in a panic. Just to have it there.

[Mattk]

My grandpa likes to just hold onto it whenever he's a passenger in a car - not really in a panic. Just to have it there.

I like to hold onto them as well, when a passenger. Not sure why.

[T-Bird]

I never knew it had a defined name.


I have it even for the driver in my car

Can't you just hold onto the steering wheel? Or is that the back-up in the unlikely event that the steering wheel breaks off? :P

I have thought about the purpose of the handle there, but it's not clear to me. I'm sure those Japanese engineers have a reason for it, but I kinda hope that I wont have a "heureka moment" some day when I find out the reason :lol:

All Acuras are the same they have handles on both sides I assume manufacturers do it that way so it keeps production costs to a minimal when producing the same car for both RHD and LHD configurations

[spanky]

Yep we call them the Jesus Handle too.... Lol

[martin100]

Great, didn´t know JC reviewed the R8 already! He seems to really like it! Can´t wait for a review in the next TG series :twisted:

[silentm]

hmm i don't think it has a name in german, not that i am aware of it :D but there do seem to be quite some good ideas here :lol:

[bultaco_metralla]

Ive heard the panic bars are called in eeuu "OH SHIT BARS"!!....like... oh shit we gonna crash"

[M4tt83]

Clarkson also mentioned the "panic handle" when he was driving the Jaguar XJ220 on one of his videos. I always thought he was referring to the hand brake, but I'm not sure now.

Apparently there was also a special technique for dealing with the car when it began to slide:

"You put your foot on the clutch, you close your eyes and you repeat after me: Our Father, who art in heaven, I'll be there in a minute." :mrgreen: