Autoblog

IIHS goes behind the scenes of its own frontal offset crash tests

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:58:00 EST

It would be glib to say that safety equipment has had a huge influence on automobiles in the past 20 years. The result of cars being massively more safe than they were not long ago has made them bigger, heavier, more expensive, more challenging to develop, harder to fix and harder for emergency responders to deal with. That's just what it takes to try and keep people safe when they're wielding two-ton battle tanks in close quarters.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is one of the entities in the greyhound-and-rabbit jockeying that keeps pushing the bounds of safety. It uses its testing to confer the Top Safety Pick designation that carmakers seek and it launched the small overlap frontal crash test that tripped up a number of vehicles.

It has begun a video series demonstrating what it tests at its facility in Virginia and how, with its crash test dummies, it assesses the results. There are two videos so far, one detailing the front offset test, the other examining the specifics of the crash test dummies who do all the 'work.' There will be eight videos in total, with another released every Tuesday. You can watch the first two below. They're a short and fascinating six minutes of viewing.

Continue reading IIHS goes behind the scenes of its own frontal offset crash tests

IIHS goes behind the scenes of its own frontal offset crash tests originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 May 2013 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NHTSA mulling adding small-overlap and angled crash tests

Jeffrey N. Ross — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 18:35:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety

For the sake of safer cars, it sounds like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration could be moving to create stricter crash tests that are similar to (and potentially even more rigorous) than what the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently instituted. In an interview with Automotive News, chief NHTSA administrator David Strickland said that the agency is looking into adding a new offset test as well as an angled impact test.

A small overlap test just recently became a part of the barrage of crash tests performed by IIHS where only 25-percent of the vehicle tested makes contact with a barrier, and Strickland said this is "very similar" to the test being considered by NHTSA. The government agency's current frontal crash tests, as shown above with the five-star-rated Buick Verano, consists of the car hitting a wall head-on, so it isn't clear how much overlap would be considered small for this new test. Another new scenario being investigated is called the oblique test, which involves the test subject hitting a barrier at a fixed angle rather than straight on. Neither test figures to be in use for at least the next couple years or so, but they would undoubtedly make it much harder for cars to receive a five-star crash rating.

NHTSA mulling adding small-overlap and angled crash tests originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Jan 2013 18:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NHTSA releases list of 2013 models to be crash tested

Chris Tutor — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Safety

Fans of the Fiat 500, Dodge Dart and Buick Verano should prepare to avert their eyes in the coming year. Those models are among 54 to be crashed, smashed and trashed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the interest of public safety.

The models in line for government testing include 33 passenger cars, 16 crossovers and SUVs, four pickups and a Toyota Sienna. NHTSA says the list covers 85 percent of all 2013 vehicles to be sold in the States. Of note are several alt-fuel Ford models like the C-Max Energi, C-Max Hybrid, the Focus Electric and the Fusion Energi. Other green cars about to hit the wall are the Nissan Leaf, as well as the Toyota Prius C and Prius V. The 2013 Fiat 500 (pictured here undergoing frontal crash testing) will presumably be subjected to its first side-impact tests.

NHTSA will also be testing safety systems like lane departure warning, forward crash warning and electronic stability control in 28 vehicles including the Acura RDX, Toyota RAV4, Chevrolet Volt, BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and A6, Dodge Dart and 21 others.

The agency will post results as they're available throughout the coming year. In the meantime, you can check out the soon-to-be hit list by clicking on the link.

NHTSA releases list of 2013 models to be crash tested originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Sep 2012 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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IIHS launching first new frontal crash test since 1995 [w/video]

Jeff Sabatini — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 00:01:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Technology

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has unveiled a new crash testing methodology in dramatic fashion - by dinging some of the most popular entry luxury sedans for failing to adequately protect the driver during certain types of crashes. The 2012 Acura TSX, 2012 BMW 3-Series, 2012 Lincoln MKZ and 2012 Volkswagen CC were all deemed "marginal," while the 2012 Audi A4, 2012 Lexus ES, 2012 Lexus IS, and 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class were called "poor" by the testing group.

The new test is designed to simulate the effects of hitting a tree or pole at 40 miles per hour, but rather than striking the object dead-on, the IIHS delivers a more glancing blow that only impacts a quarter of the car's front end. These types of collisions are particularly dangerous, as the impact will often miss the energy-absorbing structures built into the car's frame.

"These are severe crashes, and our new test reflects that," said IIHS President Adrian Lund in a statement. "Most automakers design their vehicles to ace our moderate overlap frontal test and NHTSA's full-width frontal test, but the problem of small overlap crashes hasn't been addressed. We hope our new rating program will change that."

Whether that will happen remains to be seen, but the new testing regimen will undoubtedly annoy luxury carmakers like Audi, BMW and Mercedes whose vehicles did not fare so well. Volvo, whose S60 was given a "good" rating, will likely be pleased to retain its reputation for safety. The only other of the vehicles IIHS tested to perform as well was the Acura TL, while the Infiniti G sedan was deemed "acceptable."

Scroll down to read the full press release and watch an accompanying video.

Continue reading IIHS launching first new frontal crash test since 1995 [w/video]

IIHS launching first new frontal crash test since 1995 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Aug 2012 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy Sonic crushes NHTSA crash tests, earns 5 stars

Jeff Sabatini — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Chevrolet, GM

Following on the heels of its Camaro stablemate, the smallest Chevrolet model has performed well on the National Highway Safety Administration's crash tests, earning a coveted five-star overall safety rating. Two months ago, the Camaro received the first perfect score awarded under NHTSA's revised testing regimen, while both the Sonic five-door and sedan scored five stars in each category except rollover, in which it earned four stars.

Performing well in a crash could also help those whose Sonics were recently recalled for missing brake pads. In all seriousness, we're always happy to see new models earn high scores in crash testing, because it means that they are safer. But it's even better news when small cars score well, as it helps to dispel the false notion that size is the only thing that matters in a collision.

Read the full press release after the jump.

Continue reading Chevy Sonic crushes NHTSA crash tests, earns 5 stars

Chevy Sonic crushes NHTSA crash tests, earns 5 stars originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fifth Gear crashes a Ford Focus at 120 mph

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Safety, Videos, Hatchback, Ford

For the sake of this post, let's say that your average passenger car can hit a top speed of about 120 miles per hour. Ever wonder what would happen if a run-of-the-mill car - even one that's considered safe by modern passenger-car standards - crashed into an oncoming replica of itself?

The blokes from Fifth Gear wanted to find out, so they procured an older Ford Focus, which is importantly just the kind of car you're likely to come across on your daily commute, and rammed it into an unmovable object at 120 miles per hour. That's the equivalent of two Focus hatchbacks colliding, both having been traveling at something close to their top speeds.

You probably know what's coming: One very big bang. And you'd be right. But you might be at least a wee bit surprised by the sheer amount of devastation inflicted on the poor Focus. Want to watch? Click past the jump... unless, as Fifth Gear says, you've got a 'dicky ticker.'

Continue reading Fifth Gear crashes a Ford Focus at 120 mph

Fifth Gear crashes a Ford Focus at 120 mph originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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China announces new, more stringent crash standards

Chris Paukert — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 14:16:00 EST

Filed under: China, Government/Legal, Safety

There are innumerable design and engineering hurdles to clear if you're an automaker intent on selling your wares worldwide, but few are more core to the business than safety. China knows this all too well. For years now, we've been hearing how the nation was planning to go global with its vehicles - several companies have even gone so far as to hold press conferences at U.S. auto shows.

And while there are many reasons why you don't have a Chery or BYD dealer down the street yet, China's expansionist efforts have been hampered by the persistent perception of poor automotive safety standards, an impression not helped by the viral spread of a number of frightening crash-test videos on the internet (like the 2007 Brilliance BS6 shown above and after the jump). But that may be about to change. According to new reports, the China New Car Assessment Program (C-NCAP) is coming in for a comprehensive overhaul.

A raft of changes are expected to go into effect in July of 2012, and the revised standards are expected to include new low-speed crash testing and whiplash standards. In addition, the safety of rear seat occupants will be considered for the first time (previously, only the safety of front seat occupants was measured). The more stringent crash test standards will reportedly also weigh the presence of other safety systems, including electronic nannies like stability control. Overall, the new standards are expected to more closely mimic the standards of other markets (namely Europe's NCAP), including tougher scenarios like the 40 mph offset frontal crash test.

China Car Times reports that only 59 new models have been awarded five-star ratings under current C-NCAP standards - about 43 percent of those models tested since 2006. As Chinese automakers are already having a tough time meeting current crash test regulations, meeting the new standards that go into effect next year will likely pose a very serious challenge. But while any Chinese automaker looking to play in established markets like North America or Europe will still have to pass local crash test standards, they'll almost certainly have a better shot at good results - and better public perception - if the regulations in their home country are similar.

Continue reading China announces new, more stringent crash standards

China announces new, more stringent crash standards originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Oct 2011 14:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dodge Durango snags Top Safety Pick laurels from IIHS [w/video]

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Chrysler, Dodge

Chalk one up in the win column for Chrysler. The 2011 Dodge Durango has earned the title of Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. That's a nice step forward over previous generations, which failed to achieve the honor. Now, however, any Durango built after May of 2011 can wear the safety crown proudly.

In order to get the Top Safety Pick award, the 2011 Dodge Durango needed to score a 'good' rating in front, side, rollover and rear crash tests. That's precisely what it did, and in doing so, it joins seven other Chrysler models that also earned the title of Top Safety Pick. The Durango can stand alongside the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 200 sedan, Dodge Avenger, Dodge Journey and Jeep Patriot (when equipped with available seat mounted side airbags).

Check out the video of the side impact test after the jump. Be sure to read the full press release from the IIHS after the jump, and check out the gallery of the particular 2011 Dodge Durango that was put out to pasture for the good of the model.

Continue reading Dodge Durango snags Top Safety Pick laurels from IIHS [w/video]

Dodge Durango snags Top Safety Pick laurels from IIHS [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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IIHS tests brace of new small cars, many earn Top Safety Pick status [w/video]

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 26 May 2011 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Safety, Videos

Small cars score big in latest IIHS crash tests - Click above to watch video after the jump

Thirteen enter, six leave ... with Top Safety Pick awards. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety spent some time driving (and smashing) a big group of small cars. Six of those cars received top honors from the IIHS by scoring a rating of "Good" across the board. The 2012 Ford Focus, 2012 Honda Civic sedan, 2011 Hyunda Elantra, 2011 Lexus CT200h, 2011 Nissan Juke and 2011 Toyota Prius are all the small-car place to be in the event of an accident.

This crop of small cars are also quite fuel efficient. All vehicles in the top six offer a version that gets at least 40 miles per gallon on the highway.

The rest of the vehicles tested faired well. Only the older Suzuki SX4 and Dodge Caliber received "Mediocre" ratings in some categories. Every car tested, however, received multiple "Good" ratings. Click past the jump to watch the IIHS talk about about the small car crash tests. Also, be sure to check out the breakdown of the ratings by vehicle (pdf file).

Continue reading IIHS tests brace of new small cars, many earn Top Safety Pick status [w/video]

IIHS tests brace of new small cars, many earn Top Safety Pick status [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 May 2011 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda Civic only nets two stars on revamped NHTSA side impact test

Chris Shunk — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Government/Legal, Safety, Honda

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is slowly unveiling the results of the freshly updated five-star New Car Assessment Program, and not all 2011 models are faring so well. USA Today reports that the 2011 Honda Civic is the latest such victim after the popular compact sedan received an overall score of three stars; down one star from the 2010 model year. The Civic's score was downgraded due in part to a woeful side impact score of two stars. The female crash-test dummy on the passenger side reportedly netted a four-star score, but the male crash-test dummy driver managed but two stars. On the upside, the Civic netted four-star ratings for front crash and rollover risk.

The Civic isn't the only popular vehicle among the 55 models tested that hasn't fared so well in testing. The Toyota Camry and Honda CR-V were also rated at three stars, while the Nissan Versa received only two stars. Luckily for Honda, a newly refreshed Civic is on the way for the 2012 model year.

[Source: Inside Line]

Honda Civic only nets two stars on revamped NHTSA side impact test originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First pickups tested using NHTSA's new crash testing system

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Government/Legal, Safety, Chevrolet, Dodge, GM, GMC, Toyota

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rolled in the first batch of pickup trucks to be tested using its latest Five-Star New Car Assessment Program. Three trucks were tested: the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (this truck's scores were also applied to the nearly identical GMC Sierra 1500), 2011 Ram 1500 and Toyota Tacoma.

Of the trucks tested, the pair from General Motors recorded the best scores, earning a Combined score of four stars. The 2011 Tacoma also managed a Combined score of four stars, but performed significantly worse than the GM trucks in NHTSA's front crash testing, taking home just two stars for the passenger.

Bringing up the rear in this round of testing is the Ram 1500 (non-Heavy Duty). While Chrysler's full-size pickup managed a Combined rating of three stars, it floundered in the agency's tough new pole test with just one star being awarded. Check out PickupTrucks.com for more analysis on the results, and search NHTSA's full 2011-model-year crash testing database here.

[Source: NHTSA via PickupTrucks.com]

First pickups tested using NHTSA's new crash testing system originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Nov 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NHTSA releases first batch of crash test ratings under new safety standards

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 10:33:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety

Click above for safety ratings of all 30 vehicles tested under NHTSA's new crash test rating system

Earlier this year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that it would be revising its well known five-star crash test rating system for 2011 model year vehicles. This new series of tests, called the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) makes it more difficult for manufacturers' vehicles to achieve the administration's prestigious five-star safety rating, which they had been doing a bit too easily in recent years. Also, the latest round of new safety technologies - collision warning, lane departure warning, etc. - are now being tested, and a new pole side crash test has been added to the gauntlet that also includes old favorites like the frontal barrier, side barrier and rollover tests. Finally, NCAP gives vehicles an overall rating that combines their star ratings in each of the three major categories (front, side and rollover), which makes marketing the results much easier for automakers whose vehicles score well.

Since the announcement earlier this year, NHTSA has been busy testing some 30 vehicles using NCAP and released its results this morning. The full results are available after the jump, but it should be noted that these new ratings are not comparable with ratings for any 2010-11 model year vehicles rated using the old system.

Because the NCAP is more rigorous than the prior system, most of the 30 vehicles tested have seen their star ratings drop. In fact, the only two 2011 models to retain five-star safety ratings are the BMW 5 Series and Hyundai Sonata, and the latter only after Hyundai tweaked the sedan and resubmitted it for testing. While most vehicles tested using NCAP returned four-star overall ratings, the Toyota Camry, which was essentially a five-star vehicle for the 2010 model year (it scored only one four-star rating that year in the rollover test), only managed an overall rating of three stars under the new system. Below that, the compact Nissan Versa (at right in the middle of earning just two stars in the side pole test) earned an overall rating of only two stars after the 2010 model had earned four stars across the board.

NHTSA has also redesigned the safercar.gov website to make these new ratings easier to research and analyze. Each vehicle's page is clearly laid out and all of the crash test results are explained clearly and accompanied with video of each particular test. The new ratings will start to appear on vehicle window stickers soon, but only the 33 models tested, and NHTSA says its working to have 60 models finished testing by year's end.

Check out results for the whole lot of re-tested cars after the jump in the official chart released by NHTSA. We've also included the agency's press release for a few more details about the new crash test rating system that automakers are no doubt scrambling to ace as we speak.

[Sources: NHTSA, USA Today]

Continue reading NHTSA releases first batch of crash test ratings under new safety standards

NHTSA releases first batch of crash test ratings under new safety standards originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 10:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Kia Sportage bags IIHS 'Top Safety Pick'

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Crossover, Kia

2011 Kia Sportage - Click above for high-res image gallery

When it comes to the 2011 Kia Sportage, there's a lot to talk about. From where we sit, it's one of the best-looking compact crossovers on the market, it's reasonably priced (starting below $20,000) and as we found out in our first drive, it's a pretty enjoyable steer, too. To add to these selling points, the Sportage was just named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, earning high marks in frontal, side, rear and rollover crash tests.

Top Safety Picks are nothing new for Kia these days - the Soul, Sorento, and Forte sedan have all been given this seal of approval. Follow the jump to read Kia's own words about the Sportage's safety recognition.

Gallery: 2011 Kia Sportage

[Source: Kia]

Continue reading 2011 Kia Sportage bags IIHS 'Top Safety Pick'

2011 Kia Sportage bags IIHS 'Top Safety Pick' originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog gets seat and simulation time with Toyota's newest safety technology [w/video]

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:56:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Japan, Safety, Technology, Videos, Lexus, Toyota

Inside Toyota's Higashi-Fuji tech center - Click above for high-res image gallery

Sitting in the shadow of Mount Fuji, Toyota's Higashi-Fuji technical center is part proving grounds and part engineering center. But unlike most facilities, Higashi-Fuji includes an array of engineering and research offices employing over 3,000 employees, and an assortment of non-track test facilities.

The Higashi-Fuji campus opened back in 1966 and has grown to encompass nearly 2.7 millionsquare feet of facility floor space. We were given the rare opportunity to visit the facility where we witnessed one unique crash test, tried out one of the world's most advanced driving simulators and sampled an assortment of new safety features, including a brake override system, enhanced pre-collision braking, pedestrian detection and updated ABS calibrations for the Prius. Make the jump for the full report.

Gallery: Inside Toyota's Higashi-Fuji tech center

Continue reading Autoblog gets seat and simulation time with Toyota's newest safety technology [w/video]

Autoblog gets seat and simulation time with Toyota's newest safety technology [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NHTSA to update 5-star testing process

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety

2011 Chevrolet Cruze Crash Testing - Click above for high-res image gallery

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is set to debut a new testing procedure for the 2011 model year that will make it more difficult for new cars and trucks to earn the government agency's coveted five-star safety rating. Just as interestingly, the recent influx of electronic safety gadgets, such as lane departure and collision warning, will be included in the testing regiment as well.

NHTSA will calculate one simple-to-understand grade for each vehicle based on how it manages to perform throughout the agency's testing. While the revised parameters promise to make safety-minded comparison shopping between new automobiles a bit easier, it also means that pre-2011 ratings will not be directly comparable to the new ones.

A total of 55 new 2011 cars, trucks and minivans (including the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze seen above undergoing GM's internal safety testing) will be tested by NHTSA with the new procedures, and the list is made up of both brand new models and some of the more popular nameplates Americans seem most likely to purchase in large numbers next year. You can check out NHTSA's official release and the initial list of what cars will be subjected to this new testing regime after the jump.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Crash Testing

[Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]

Continue reading NHTSA to update 5-star testing process

NHTSA to update 5-star testing process originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM crash test dummy donated to Smithsonian after 15 years of whiplash

Zach Bowman — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Government/Legal, Safety, Technology, GM

GM's H50-1 ATD in action - Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors has made an unusual donation to the Smithsonian: a crash test dummy. Well, not just any crash test dummy. The company handed over its H50-1 anthromorphic testing device, or ATD, to the museum to help catalog the advancement of vehicle safety in this country. After a full 15 years of service, H50-1 was ready for retirement, and rather than spend his days playing shuffleboard, The General decided to allow him to continue educating by going on display at the National Museum for American History.

GM also donated a slew of other "safety artifacts" along with its ATD. According to the Smithsonian, GM's dummy design helped to set the industry standard for crash safety research. While H50-1 was constructed as a stand-in for the typical male, the company says that it has over 200 ATD designs to represent every sort of vehicle occupant under the sun. We'd like to see that family portrait. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Gallery: GM Donates H50-1 Crash Test Dummy to Smithsonian

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading GM crash test dummy donated to Smithsonian after 15 years of whiplash

GM crash test dummy donated to Smithsonian after 15 years of whiplash originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Jul 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW 530d passes crash test using emergency brake intervention

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 28 May 2010 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Europe, Safety, Technology, BMW, Diesel, Luxury

The new 2011 BMW 530d has easily passed its first crash test evaluation while using active emergency brake intervention. Like a number of other cars to come to market recently, the 5 Series is available with a radar-based active cruise control system that can use the brake system to manage vehicle speed and keep the car a safe distance from the vehicle in front. Recently these systems have been enhanced with emergency brake intervention that allows full braking force to be applied if crash is imminent - even when the cruise control is not being used.

However, current crash test procedures don't allow for the activation of such systems. For example, in the European 40 mile per hour frontal offset test, the vehicle is expected to crash at 40 mph. In the real world, active braking would reduce the speed of the impact, likely reducing severity as well. However, applying full brakes also causes the nose to pitch down and the cars occupants to shift position can alter the test's results.

As more cars get these types of systems, they need to be accounted for in crash testing, and BMW is working with German testing agency DEKRA to develop new procedures. Check out the official press release after the jump.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW 530d passes crash test using emergency brake intervention

BMW 530d passes crash test using emergency brake intervention originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 May 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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IIHS condemns use of mini trucks and low-speed vehicles on public roads

Chris Shunk — Thu, 20 May 2010 18:39:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Ford, Smart

If you live in the U.S. sunbelt or in an upscale gated community, you've probably seen quite a few of those hopped-up electric golf carts trolling around your neighborhood. These low-speed vehicles are great for zipping to the mailbox or heading over to the clubhouse, and the vehicles are currently allowed on select public roads in 46 of the 50 United States. But even though they're perfectly legal in many areas, The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has a pretty serious warning for anyone looking to take these vehicles onto high-traffic areas. IIHS tested both a GEM electric cart and a minitruck in side impact crashes, and the results were sobering to say the least.

The first test was a side impact affair between a GEM EV and a crash barrier moving at 31 miles per hour. The crash test dummy, which was buckled up and in the driver's seat, showed injuries consistent with catastrophic injury or death. IIHS then performed the same test with a Smart ForTwo replacing the barrier, but the results were very similar. The crash, which typically nets relatively low injury risk for vehicles with high safety scores, was so severe that the crash dummy's head almost hits the ForTwo's windshield. Chief research officer David Zuby said that the test shows that these vehicles "weren't designed to protect people in a crash with a microcar like the Smart ForTwo, let alone larger cars, SUVs, and pickups in everyday traffic."

After demolishing a few GEMs, the IIHS then focused its glare on the 2008 Tiger Star minitruck. The Tiger was pitted against a 2010 Ford Ranger in an offset front crash with the minitruck going 25 mph and the Ford 35 mph. The results were similarly catastrophic, with the Ranger dummy relatively unharmed while the Tiger dummy's head hit the steering wheel hard in spite of the fact that it was wearing a safety belt. Hit the jump to read over the IIHS' strongly worded press release.

[Source: The Insurance Institute For Highway Safety]

Continue reading IIHS condemns use of mini trucks and low-speed vehicles on public roads

IIHS condemns use of mini trucks and low-speed vehicles on public roads originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 May 2010 18:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pole Dance: NHTSA to add new side-impact crash test? [w/VIDEO]

Dan Roth — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:56:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Videos, Ford

NHTSA side-impact pole test - click above to watch the video

Not satisfied with cars that manage crash forces well enough to avoid spilling your drink, and engines that run so clean they'll barely asphyxiate ants, a new crash test is reportedly coming in the works from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Along with the test will come new dummies and new testing equipment, all of which means it's likely to have a big impact on future car designs. The side-impact pole test will simulate side collisions with objects like trees or telephone poles, a type of accident that current side-impact tests don't accurately simulate.

According to The New York Times, the new test will use a 10-inch round pole that will collide with the car at speeds of up to 20 mph. A 75-degree angle will be used, and the point of impact will be just aft of the A-pillar. Naturally, automakers won't have to pass the test all at once, the standard will be phased in. For 2011, 20 percent of an automaker's fleet will have to meet the standard and by 2014, the pole crash standard will be at 100 percent - all new cars will have to comply.

It's a change that could potentially change the face of auto design, the same way pedestrian impact standards in Europe have led to some peculiar front sheetmetal. Materials changes may also be employed to meet the regulation, with additional high-strength steel being substituted. The more conventional metals currently used are easier to form, while stronger metals require all sorts of hot pressing and tempering to be put into shape. Manufacturing cost will go up, which means prices will probably also increase, or profit will decrease while prices hold steady. Safe cars are a laudable goal, but how safe is safe enough? Follow the jump to see a video of how Ford's 2010 Mustang GT convertible and coupe models fare, then let us know what you think by leaving a comment.

[Source: The New York Times]

Continue reading Pole Dance: NHTSA to add new side-impact crash test? [w/VIDEO]

Pole Dance: NHTSA to add new side-impact crash test? [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Judge orders Toyota not to not destroy car crash information

Chris Shunk — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:31:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Toyota

According to Bloomberg, Toyota has been ordered by Texas Judge T. John Ward no to destroy any of its crash data, and research projects related to product liability or crashworthiness. The temporary restraining order, which is in effect until after a October 7 hearing (at which it will be determine if the order should be extended), stems from allegations from former Toyota lawyer Dimitrios Biller that the Japanese automaker withheld evidence in over 300 rollover lawsuits. Ward wrote of his decision "The court finds an immediate threat of irreparable harm in that, under the allegations, a threat exists that evidence material to this case would be destroyed or altered."

As is typical of most companies being sued for what could amount to hundreds of millions of dollars, Toyota isn't commenting for the most part. Toyota spokesman Mike Michels only says that the company feels it acted appropriately in the lawsuits. While Biller's suit is big in its own right, there is a lot at stake if the former Toyota attorney wins the suit. Lawyers are already looking to reopen cases which were previously settled or rejected for lack of evidence. Dallas area lawyer Todd Tracey has asked Ward to reopen several cases which were either settled or rejected, and there are likely other lawyers and injury victims lining up to do the same.

[Source: Bloomberg]

REPORT: Judge orders Toyota not to not destroy car crash information originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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