Oreily?

MILK · 04-14-2009, 11:43 AM

Uhhh, ya think?

Small cars get poor marks in collision tests

AP – An electric Smart car is presented at the Auto Mobil International motor show in Leipzig, Germany, Friday, … By KEN THOMAS, Associated Press Writer Ken Thomas, Associated Press Writer – Tue Apr 14, 6:46 am ET
WASHINGTON – Micro cars can give motorists top-notch fuel efficiency at a competitive price, but the insurance industry says they don't fare too well in collisions with larger vehicles.

In crash tests released Tuesday, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that drivers of 2009 versions of the Smart "fortwo," Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris could face significant leg and head injuries in severe front-end crashes with larger, mid-size vehicles.

"There are good reasons people buy mini cars. They're more affordable, and they use less gas. But the safety trade-offs are clear from our new tests," said Adrian Lund, the institute's president.

Automakers who manufacture the small cars said the tests simulated a high-speed crash that rarely happens on the road. They also said the tests rehashed past insurance industry arguments against tougher fuel efficiency requirements. The institute has raised questions about whether stricter gas mileage rules, which are being developed by the government, might lead to smaller, lighter vehicles that could be less safe.

"If you were to take that argument to the nth degree, we should all be driving 18-wheelers. And the trend in society today is just the opposite," said Dave Schembri, president of Smart USA.

Sales of small cars soared when gas prices topped $4 per gallon last year but have fallen off as gasoline has retreated to about $2 a gallon and the economic downturn has slowed car sales. The small cars are affordable — prices of the three cars tested range from about $12,000 to $18,000 — and typically achieve 30 miles per gallon or more.

The tests involved head-on crashes between the fortwo and a 2009 Mercedes C Class, the Fit and a 2009 Honda Accord and the Yaris and the 2009 Toyota Camry. The tests were conducted at 40 miles per hour, representing a severe crash.

In the fortwo collision, the institute said the Smart, which weighs 1,808 lbs, went airborne and turned around 450 degrees after striking the C Class, which weighs nearly twice as much. There was extensive damage to the fortwo's interior and the Smart driver could have faced extensive injuries to the head and legs. There was little damage to the front seat area of the C Class.

Archren · 04-14-2009, 11:48 AM

The FBI would call that a clue...

pauldun170 · 04-14-2009, 11:55 AM

the more press releases the IIHS puts out the more inclined I become to go out and purchase on old tiny car with no safety equipment.

Old Miata's, maybe an old 240z...
Something lightweight, something that focuses more on driving than on crashing into things.

Fuck the IIHS.

Homeslice · 04-14-2009, 12:04 PM

If people want to buy huge barges that aren't fun to drive, more power to them I guess.

pauldun170 · 04-14-2009, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeslice

If people want to buy huge barges that aren't fun to drive, more power to them I guess.

If people want to buy small lightweight cars that are fun to drive then more....
oh wait...IIHS and government would like nothing more than to legislate them out of existence.

RACER X · 04-14-2009, 12:27 PM

seen a Brabus smart car the other day. pretty pimp!

101lifts2 · 04-14-2009, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeslice

If people want to buy huge barges that aren't fun to drive, more power to them I guess.

Why do you need to be entertained driving to Subway?

Homeslice · 04-15-2009, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 101lifts2

Why do you need to be entertained driving to Subway?

Cuz most people drive longer than that?

BTW, your argument works both ways ---- If all you do is drive to Subway, why even waste money on a new car, just buy a used beater.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmblebee

take your prius out and tangle with a 80K lb truck on the highway and see how that works out for you

Pretty sure a motorcycle is even less safe, yet everyone here still rides them.

Destitute · 04-16-2009, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MILK

The institute has raised questions about whether stricter gas mileage rules, which are being developed by the government, might lead to smaller, lighter vehicles that could be less safe.

Less safe for whom? The C-class driver is now "safer".

How much less safe? 10%? 100%? How is "safe" measured?

Rsv1000R · 04-16-2009, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Destitute

Less safe for whom? The C-class driver is now "safer".

How much less safe? 10%? 100%? How is "safe" measured?

It's measured with crash test dummies, and rated by their survival, injury rates.

04-14-2009, 11:43 AM	#1
MILK The cows want you dead. Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 2,087	Oreily? Uhhh, ya think? Small cars get poor marks in collision tests AP – An electric Smart car is presented at the Auto Mobil International motor show in Leipzig, Germany, Friday, … By KEN THOMAS, Associated Press Writer Ken Thomas, Associated Press Writer – Tue Apr 14, 6:46 am ET WASHINGTON – Micro cars can give motorists top-notch fuel efficiency at a competitive price, but the insurance industry says they don't fare too well in collisions with larger vehicles. In crash tests released Tuesday, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that drivers of 2009 versions of the Smart "fortwo," Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris could face significant leg and head injuries in severe front-end crashes with larger, mid-size vehicles. "There are good reasons people buy mini cars. They're more affordable, and they use less gas. But the safety trade-offs are clear from our new tests," said Adrian Lund, the institute's president. Automakers who manufacture the small cars said the tests simulated a high-speed crash that rarely happens on the road. They also said the tests rehashed past insurance industry arguments against tougher fuel efficiency requirements. The institute has raised questions about whether stricter gas mileage rules, which are being developed by the government, might lead to smaller, lighter vehicles that could be less safe. "If you were to take that argument to the nth degree, we should all be driving 18-wheelers. And the trend in society today is just the opposite," said Dave Schembri, president of Smart USA. Sales of small cars soared when gas prices topped $4 per gallon last year but have fallen off as gasoline has retreated to about $2 a gallon and the economic downturn has slowed car sales. The small cars are affordable — prices of the three cars tested range from about $12,000 to $18,000 — and typically achieve 30 miles per gallon or more. The tests involved head-on crashes between the fortwo and a 2009 Mercedes C Class, the Fit and a 2009 Honda Accord and the Yaris and the 2009 Toyota Camry. The tests were conducted at 40 miles per hour, representing a severe crash. In the fortwo collision, the institute said the Smart, which weighs 1,808 lbs, went airborne and turned around 450 degrees after striking the C Class, which weighs nearly twice as much. There was extensive damage to the fortwo's interior and the Smart driver could have faced extensive injuries to the head and legs. There was little damage to the front seat area of the C Class.

04-14-2009, 11:48 AM	#2
Archren Sham WOW Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: ATX Moto: 2007 Ducati 1098 Posts: 2,741	The FBI would call that a clue... __________________ Photography "The Vincent was like a bullet that went straight; the Ducati is like the magic bullet that went sideways and hit JFK and the Governor of Texas at the same time. It was impossible." - Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." -Dr. Seuss

04-14-2009, 12:27 PM	#6
RACER X AMA Supersport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Richmond, Tx Moto: '10 Tuono Factory Posts: 4,569	seen a Brabus smart car the other day. pretty pimp! __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ 2014 GROM! 181cc of FURY 2010 Aprilia Tuono Factory - SOLD 2009 SFV Gladius - SOLD 2008 Hayabusa - SOLD.

04-14-2009, 12:04 PM	#4
Homeslice Elitist Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SF Bay Area Moto: Gix 750 Posts: 11,351	If people want to buy huge barges that aren't fun to drive, more power to them I guess.