Nissan Leaf earns five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash tests [w/video]

Autoblog Staff — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Safety, Videos, Hatchback, Nissan, Electric

Nissan Leaf Euro NCAP crash test - Click above to watch video after the jump

The five-door mid-size electric Nissan Leaf has become the first plug-in vehicle to receive five stars from the European New Car Assessment Program. Euro NCAP tests vehicles in frontal impact, side impact, side pole impact and the potential for whiplash.

The Leaf's lithium-ion battery pack, which is positioned below the rear-seat compartment, suffered no damage during any of the tests. The five-seat Leaf received an 89 percent rating for adult occupant safety, 84 percent for its on-board safety-assist systems, 65 percent in pedestrian safety and 83 percent for child occupant safety.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety conducted its first mainstream plug-in vehicle crash tests in April of 2011, and both the 2011 Chevrolet Volt and the 2011 Nissan Leaf were named "Good" for their front, side, rear, and rollover crash protection and both received the IIHS' Top Safety Pick title.

Hit the jump to watch video of the Nissan Leaf getting smashed, crashed and bashed by NCAP. Click here (pdf) for a detailed look at the Leaf's NCAP test results.

Continue reading Nissan Leaf earns five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash tests [w/video]

Nissan Leaf earns five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash tests [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Jun 2011 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf earn Top Safety Picks in first IIHS electric vehicle crash tests

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 00:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Safety, Hatchback, Chevrolet, GM, Nissan, Electric

Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf Crash Tests - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has completed its first test of mainstream plug-in vehicles, and both the 2011 Chevrolet Volt and the 2011 Nissan Leaf have were named "Good" for their front, side, rear, and rollover crash protection. Testing procedures for these plug-in vehicles were exactly the same as for any other automobile the IIHS tests, as they should be.

The two plug-in pioneers join 80 other 2011 vehicles in earning the Top Safety Pick title, thanks to their fine performance in instrumented crash testing and their standard electronic stability control. For what it's worth, other fuel sippers like the 2010 Toyota Prius and 2010 Honda Insight have also been named Top Safety Picks in the past. That said, the IIHS has taken issue with some plug-in electric vehicles in the past, specifically the not-quite-a-car NEVs like the Gem e2 or the Wheego Whip.

Of course, we all know how much fun it is to watch brand-new cars being smashed to bits in the name of safety, so we've gone ahead and embedded a video of the two plug-ins undergoing the crash testing process. Hit the jump to see for yourself and to check out the official press release.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt crash tests

Gallery: 2011 Nissan Leaf crash tests

[Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety]

Continue reading Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf earn Top Safety Picks in first IIHS electric vehicle crash tests

Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf earn Top Safety Picks in first IIHS electric vehicle crash tests originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments