Oreily?

[MILK]

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]

The FBI would call that a clue...

[pauldun170]

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]

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

[pauldun170]

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]

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

[tallywacker]

I'm getting sick of the government "protecting" me. Let people drive what they want.

[bmblebee]

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

[Switch]

I thought this was a thread about auto parts.

[101lifts2]

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?