Autoblog

ADAC multi-vehicle crash test is terrifying

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 19:00:00 EST

The IIHS may have a new video player for its crash test video content, but we guarantee none of those clips are as terrifying as what Germany's ADAC has cooked up. Rather than capture the destructive forces of one or two cars involved in a low speed collision, ADAC upped the ante by involving three vehicles, one of which is a large truck barreling down on two parked cars at 43 miles per hour. Oh, and the parked cars are stopped right in front of a large object that has no intention of moving. You know, like a building.

The motive for this crash test isn't just a group of engineers having fun with large toys, but to demonstrate the force involved with a truck crashing at speed. ADAC wants to see Emergency Brake Assist systems made mandatory on large trucks, and this video certainly helps the company's cause.

Click past the jump for the carnage. The video is in German, so if you don't sprechen die sprache, click to 1:30 for the action. Also, be sure to keep watching for a demonstration of the Emergency Brake Assist system.

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ADAC multi-vehicle crash test is terrifying originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GT Masters series BMW Alpina B6 racer flies over barrier, takes out porta-potty at 'Ring

Noah Joseph — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 16:22:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Europe, Videos, BMW, Racing

ADAC GT Masters crash at the Nürburgring - Click above to watch the video after the jump

Tire barriers at race tracks are there for a reason. Namely, safety, but they can't protect against every scenario. Like, say, going airborne over said tire barrier and hitting a hapless porta-potty. That's exactly what happened at the Nürburgring this weekend during the fourth round of this year's ADAC GT Masters championship.

Towards the start of the race, one Alex Plenagl (22, of Ebergberg, Bavaria) crashed his Alpina B6 GT over the barrier, sending it careening straight into a BMW sign and a trackside porta-potty. Fortunately, no one was in the johnny-on-the-spot at the time of the impact, and Plenagl himself reportedly escaped serious injury.

Sir Jackie Stewart once dubbed the Nürburgring as "The Green Hell" due to the frequency and severity of the accidents that occurred around the infamously difficult road course, and the name has stuck ever since. We dare not ask what sort of nicknames the track might get from this incident, but you can watch the video after the jump and see for yourself.

Continue reading GT Masters series BMW Alpina B6 racer flies over barrier, takes out porta-potty at 'Ring

GT Masters series BMW Alpina B6 racer flies over barrier, takes out porta-potty at 'Ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 10 Jul 2011 16:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aston Martin V12 Zagato returns for ultimate showdown at the Nürburgring [w/video]

Noah Joseph — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Motorsports, Coupe, Aston Martin, Racing

Aston Martin V12 Zagato at the Nürburgring - Click above for high-res image gallery

Sure, the Aston Martin V12 Zagato may have won top honors upon its unveiling at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. But it's not just a pretty face. Aston Martin is keen to highlight that point, taking the V12 Zagato straight from the shores of Lake Como to the tarmac of the Nürburgring.

The racing version of the show car has already had two outings on the Ring in the past month or so, but those campaigns were merely in preparation for what's in store this weekend, when a pair of Zagatos - dubbed "Zig" and "Zag" - will take on the grueling ADAC Nürburgring 24 Hours.

A red example (Zag) will be piloted by the company's CEO and Nürburgring test center director along with a pair of European automotive journalists, joining the previously-seen green car (Zig) driven by one of Aston's top engineers, a pair of experienced race car drivers and another British fourth-estatesman. Both can be seen in the video after the jump.

We're not clear on where that leaves the rather more attractive white and red livery depicted in the high-resolution photographs, then, but that shouldn't stop you from checking it out in the gallery, along with the full press release after the jump.

Continue reading Aston Martin V12 Zagato returns for ultimate showdown at the Nürburgring [w/video]

Aston Martin V12 Zagato returns for ultimate showdown at the Nürburgring [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Grid girl faints on Porsche GT3 at starting line

Zach Bowman — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Europe, Videos, Porsche, Humor, Racing

The dangers of motorsport - Click above to watch video after the jump

Whether they've earned it or not, Porsche drivers often tend to have a reputation for being, well, less-than-charitable human beings. Maybe it's their steadfast belief in the superiority of their vehicle or the fact that a single 911 Turbo can cost more than most Americans will spend on their first home. Either way, drivers with a Porsche crest on their hood tend to have a bad reputation, even among other high-dollar sports car owners. The video after the jump won't do anything to improve that impression.

From what we can gather from our Google Translator, the kindly gent behind the wheel is none other than Ronald van de Laar. While sitting on the grid during the ADAC GT Masters, the grid girl standing in front of his 911 passes out, either from the sun or locking her knees, and goes down hard.

According to our tipster (who evidently speaks Dutch better than we do), van de Laar can be heard frantically telling anyone within earshot to check his car. As far as we can tell, both the Porsche and the weak-kneed lass were just fine. Thanks for the tip, Thomas!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Grid girl faints on Porsche GT3 at starting line

Video: Grid girl faints on Porsche GT3 at starting line originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Jun 2010 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brilliance importer for Europe goes belly up

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:02:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, China, Europe

When Chinese automaker Brilliance wanted to invade The Continent, it chose Germany-based importer HSO Motors to introduce models like its BS4. Brilliance kept up its end of the agreement, shipping cars to HSO; HSO, however, couldn't get the cars sold, and a little more than a year into the partnership HSO has gone bankrupt.

Three reasons are blamed for the flame-out: the crash test videos for the BS4 and BS6, along with pricing. If you'll remember, when the German ADAC tested the Brilliance BS6, the result was a horror film that would have frightened Freddy Krueger with an official rating of zero stars. After a great deal of improvements and added equipment were put on the BS4, tested two years later, the results were much more palatable -- yet the car still received just three stars. The ADAC's had raised its testing standards, so what would have earned the BS4 a three-star rating under the old methods was only good for zero this time around. That didn't make German buyers comfortable.

The ADAC's testing methods have been labeled unfair, and it's been noted that the ADAC is not a regulatory body. Yet other cars tested under the new methods, like the Skoda Yeti and Honda Jazz, earned five stars. Beyond that, the BS4 is priced at about €16,000 ($24,000 U.S.). Even though it's larger, it's priced against cars like the Focus and Golf, and well above a Skoda Octavia. As a maker trying to earn its way into the field of German car offerings, Brilliance will need to go well beyond the norm to to make its case. For now, Brilliance has taken over HSO Motors' role as importer.

[Source: Euro Car Blog]

Brilliance importer for Europe goes belly up originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In German crash test, China's Brilliance BS6 sedan fails miserably

Alex Nunez — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, China, Europe, Safety, Videos

Click above image for photo gallery

China's Brilliance BS6 is a recent entry into the European market, positioned as a premium-style import sedan at a budget price. Well, after seeing the videos of the car undergoing crash testing using Euro NCAP guidelines at the ADAC (Germany's AAA, essentially) test center, one thing's certain: buyers get what they pay for. The BS6, as currently constructed, appears to a complete piece of crap. The horrifying 40 mph offset frontal crash test video shows damage that can be described as catastrophic at best. The A-pillar collapses and folds up like a cheap suitcase, forcing the driver's door to pop largely out of its frame, while the lower portion of the car buckles like it's made of recycled pop cans. We wouldn't want to be the driver's legs...or any other part of him for that matter. To open the mangled door afterwards, the ADAC techs needed to use a huge crowbar to get it to budge. ADAC notes that the pedals intruded a foot and a half (32 cm) into the driver's space, while the IP moved in almost 8 inches (20 cm). Needless to say, the BS6 failed the test, garnering just 1 star.

Follow the jump for more coverage/opinion and the related videos. Thanks to Andy B. for the tip!

[Sources: ADAC (translated) via Autobild, AFX News via Forbes]

Gallery: Brilliance BS6 ADAC Crash test

Continue reading In German crash test, China's Brilliance BS6 sedan fails miserably

In German crash test, China's Brilliance BS6 sedan fails miserably originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Jun 2007 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes tops reliability report

Joel Arellano — Fri, 05 May 2006 12:24:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Maintenance, Mercedes-Benz

According to the German automotive association ADAC, Mercedes-Benz vehicles are the most reliable among the German brands. The C-Class, CLK-Class, E-Class, M-Class, S-Class, and the SLK-Class all took top spots in the association's latest report, more than any other German automaker. The ADAC was especially impressed with the C-Class (pictured). This is particularly surprising considering the quality troubles Mercedes-Benz has had to deal with the last few years.

[Source: Canadian Driver]

Mercedes tops reliability report originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 May 2006 12:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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