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Smart ForTwo passes IIHS crash tests

05/14/2008, 10:13 AM

By paulee

The hot-selling Smart ForTwo earned top ratings in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s front and side crash tests, with lower marks in rear crash tests. Despite its small size and 1,800lb curb weight, the Smart earned “impressive crash test ratings.”

In side-impact testing conducted by both the IIHS and NHTSA, the car’s driver door unlatched, though the IIHS concluded this didn’t appear to affect the test dummy, according to The Detroit News. In the side-impact test, the Smart received an Acceptable rating from the 31mph IIHS test and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.

Traditionally, smaller, lighter vehicles that are far bigger than the sub-9-foot long Smart have a worse track record for occupant protection than larger vehicles, as they lack the structure to absorb impacts inflicted upon them by larger vehicles. “All things being equal, bigger and heavier is always better,” said Adrian Lund, IIHS president.

To see how a Smart holds up in an offset frontal crash with a much bigger car, click
here.

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05/14, 10:28 AM

posted by:

HemiRoadRunner

I’d like to see that picture alot more often.

05/14, 11:10 AM

posted by:

jumpoffit

how come they don’t use human cadavers as well?

05/14, 11:23 AM

posted by:

Get Real

They crash against a similar weight object….not an SUV, truck, or even a Camry T-boning you through a red light.

05/14, 11:38 AM

posted by:

johnnycanuck

This is hardly surprising. These have been for sale for years up here and obviously passed our crash tests which much like everything automotive are nearly identical to US standards.

Fear not, however, this fad will soon slow to a grinding halt. It already has at least from the number I see on the road in Vancouver which is pretty much California North and therefore a good barometer on which to gauge reaction amongst the trendy. The sole advantage to a Smart is its size. For far less money you can buy a real car that doesn’t get you looks like you’re living in a fishbowl when you venture outside city limits.

05/14, 11:57 AM

posted by:

Z06ified

How much did Daimler pay to get that rating, I wonder?

05/14, 12:15 PM

posted by:

F451

They are appearing where I reside, and their owners’ seem disgusted that I will not crane my neck in amazement that they own one. The reason is I have seen them in other places around the world, and they are nothing new to me. Cute, but no cigar in my world.

05/14, 2:01 PM

posted by:

TOZO

Maybe all automakers should use human cadavers.

05/14, 3:08 PM

posted by:

Rafa LL

Z06ified: Look for a video in youtube that shows a 70 mph Smart crashing towards a concrete wall… Te result was impressive, the car structure was almost perfect and they said the car did it perfect. But a Human body can’t stand that amount of G force.
They’re even vids of a S-Class vs a Smart on a front clash, the Smart flight and rolled a couple of meters backwards but it survived…

So, Daimler payed millions-designing that lil’ bastard.

05/14, 5:07 PM

posted by:

frylock350

@Rafa LL,

I saw that vid (I thought it was an E-classe?) and the smart structure was fine. I agree that the smart won’t be absorbing any impact trauma however. You’re simply better of in a Civicarollabalt for the the same price tag.

My concern is with the tiny little tires on these guys. For someone to do 75mph on the highway those little tires have got to be ripping at insane speeds.

05/14, 9:26 PM

posted by:

DialM4Speed

I haven’t seen any and don’t want to see any. If you buy one your just another hippie douche!

05/15, 3:46 AM

posted by:

SERSteve

Sometimes I think all you people on here want to do is complain and bitch, OKAY so You don’t want a smart fortwo, we all know that, and guess what…. WE DON”T CARE. You continue to make stupid comments like frylock350 talking about the size of the tires, dude, SHUT UP it not like they are golf cart sized. You folks fawn and drool all over cars like ZR-1’s and GT-R’s, and never mention safety there, but think about it, getting “T-Boned” by an Escalade while driving a Corvette, is NOT going to be pretty or safe and in a Corvette your melon is going to be a bumper height or LOWER even if you get hit by a fortwo!. Face it you just hate the fortwo because it’s not “Fast”. well Wake the F*** up, it’s safer than a motor cycle or moped, and unless you live in fairy land or something then just like me and everyone else in this country (USA) you are looking at $4.00 a gallon gas and it’s only getting more expensive. The fortwo is another alternative to help people deal with an ever changing set of automotive rules. Is it for everyone, no of course not, but then is a GT-R for everyone? is an F-150 for everyone. does everyone who wants a midsize sedan buy Honda Accords? Point is, the fortwo is just another choice, you don’t like it, fine, it’s OKAY not to comment at all. Although I like the Prius and Civic hybrids, why do you think the person who want’s a fortwo would want one of those? Of all people, you folks should understand that buying a car for Americans is as much emotional as practical, if the GT-R speaks to you then buy a GT-R, and you’ll probably love it even when you’re pumping $4.50 a gallon gas into it. For those of us who like the smart fortwo it’s the same thing, it may not be the most “practical” car on the road but we “get” it, it’s as simple as that. Mercedes has done a great job making a tiny car as safe as possible, and smart USA has brought that car to the USA for a great price (much less than it costs in Europe) and in doing so they have given lots of people in the USA another option.

05/15, 5:22 AM

posted by:

fan

1st: i would personally NOT get a smart, cause i dont like its looks
2nd: that doesnt mean i dont like it. its decent looking, nice quality. just not my cup of tea
3rd: i can understand anyone, though, who gets one: the average car out on the road is hauling about 1.24 persons inside. you definitely can get THEM in a smart. have a look at all those big SUVs occupied by… ONE – wheres that make sense?
4th: the smart is safe. ive seen a crash, a mercedes ML t-boning a smart. the ML was crushed, they had to cut the guy from the drivers seat. the smart was FINE, just the door was blocked… with some additional force, it opened like nothing happened…
btw… have a look at some “oh-so-safe” Hummer H2s when they crash… the look like not even a bazooka could harm them, but in fact, they break apart quite easily…

05/16, 7:54 AM

posted by:

A4

Smart cars are dumb

 
 
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