Crash testing

2009 Kia Borrego Earns Five-Star Crash Safety Rating from NHTSA

admin — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:06:14 +0000

Highest Possible Ratings for All-New Kia Mid-Size SUV in Frontal and Side Impact Crash Tests

IRVINE, Calif., September 5, 2008 – The all-new 2009 Kia Borrego has achieved a five-star crash safety rating, the highest rating possible, for all seating positions in the latest frontal and side impact crash tests conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This is the first time Borrego has been tested by the government agency.

2009 Kia Borrego: Highest Possible Ratings for All-New Kia Mid-Size SUV in Frontal and Side Impact Crash Tests

Highlights:
- All-New Kia Borrego joins four other Kia models with five-star crash safety rating

A1GP Powered by Ferrari Race Car Passes Crash Test

admin — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 08:37:38 +0000

London, Great Britain, August 18, 2008 – A1GP World Cup of Motorsport has always prided itself in the fact that its cars are some of the safest on the world’s race tracks. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the season four A1GP Powered by Ferrari car has undergone and passed some of the most stringent crash tests possible.

The car firstly underwent FIA chassis squeeze tests, as opposed to a sudden impact test, with pressure applied to key parts of the car to ensure the necessary strength. Following this there have been roll-hoop load tests, front and rear impact and side impact tests.

2008 Ford Kuga Achieves Best Overall Rating for Its Class in Euro NCAP Safety Test

admin — Thu, 29 May 2008 09:40:02 +0000

Euro NCAP awards 5/4/3 star rating to new 2008 Ford Kuga, an unprecedented achievement in its class

BRENTWOOD, Essex, May 28, 2008 – In the latest phase of Euro NCAP safety tests the all-new 2008 Ford Kuga compact crossover has achieved the best combination of star ratings, placing the car at the top of the table in the Euro NCAP Small Off-road 4x4 group. Awarded the maximum five stars for Adult Occupant Protection, this rating is enhanced by four stars for Child Occupant Protection and three stars for Pedestrian Protection.

2008 Ford Kuga (UK)

Highlights:
* New Ford Kuga achieves a 5 star rating for adult occupant protection
* 4 star rating for child occupant protection

2008 SEAT Ibiza Receives 5 Stars from EuroNCAP

admin — Thu, 29 May 2008 08:55:36 +0000

Martorell, Spain, 28-05-2008 -- The new SEAT Ibiza received an excellent rating after the stringent crash tests organised by the prestigious Euro NCAP organisation – 5 stars in passenger protection, 4 stars in child safety and 3 stars in pedestrian protection. Officially released today, this result places the Spanish model in a privileged position, scoring it as one of the safest cars of its segment.

2008 SEAT Ibiza earns 5 stars from EuroNCAP

The 85 hp SEAT Ibiza 1.4 16V Reference was chosen for the tests. Since the equipment level is different in every country, Euro NCAP selects the unit with the minimum level of standard safety equipment for its testing.

2008 Citroën Berlingo Scores Four Stars in EuroNCAP Tests

admin — Thu, 29 May 2008 08:34:15 +0000

5/28/2008 -- The new 2008 Citroën Berlingo has passed the EuroNCAP tests with flying colours, setting a new standard in the leisure activity vehicle segment. With its reinforced structure and top-level safety equipment, it scored four stars in adult protection, four in child protection and two in pedestrian protection, making it the perfect choice for safe family transport.

2008 Citroën Berlingo

These impressive scores are largely a result of the new Citroën Berlingo’s body structure, which has been thoroughly reinforced, particularly at the front and middle pillars. These changes provide the stiffness necessary for passenger protection while optimising impact absorption.

Ford Motor Company Leads in Lifelike Child Dummy Research

admin — Fri, 23 May 2008 11:05:44 +0000

DEARBORN, Mich., May 21, 2008 – Ford Motor Company and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) will embark this fall on an international study of a more lifelike prototype abdominal insert for pediatric crash dummies.

Ford's Pediatric Crash Dummy: The prototype pediatric abdomen insert is similar in size and shape to that of a 6-year-old child and is made of multiple layers of liquid silicone that, when solidified, forms a tough silicone shell.

Pediatric crash dummies with the more lifelike abdomen will help in analyzing the risk of serious injury to children during car accidents. Independent studies show that children ages 4 to 8 are at higher risk for injuries to the spine and abdomen.

First IIHS Crash Tests of Smart Car

admin — Thu, 22 May 2008 12:11:26 +0000

Diminutive two-seater earns top ratings for protecting people in front & side crashes

ARLINGTON, VA, May 14, 2008 — The Smart car is getting a lot of attention for its small size and style, and now it's earning impressive crash test ratings. In recent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests, the 2008 Smart Fortwo, the smallest car for sale in the US market, earned the top rating of good for front and side crash protection. Its seat/head restraints earned the second highest rating of acceptable for protection against whiplash in rear impacts.

2009 Subaru Forester Earns 5 Star Rating in NHTSA NCAP Crash Tests

admin — Thu, 22 May 2008 10:24:17 +0000

2009 Subaru Forester received the highest possible safety rating for both frontal and side-impact crash tests for all seating positions

CHERRY HILL, N.J., May 21, 2008 -- Subaru of America, Inc. today announced that the 2009 Subaru Forester earned the highest rating in the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) crash tests. The Subaru Forester received five stars in both the frontal and side-impact crash tests for all seating positions.

2009 Subaru Forester

TRW's Side, Curtain Airbags Featured on 30 2008 Model Year Vehicles Earning NHTSA's Five-Star Side-Impact Crash Test Rating

admin — Thu, 22 May 2008 09:26:12 +0000

LIVONIA, Mich., May 21, 2008 -- TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. (NYSE: TRW) is star struck. Thirty of the 2008 model year vehicles that have earned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) five-star rating in side-impact crash tests feature TRW's side or curtain airbags. These 30 vehicles range in size from compact cars to full sized pick-up trucks and sport utility vehicles.

The NHTSA side-collision impact crash test measures the performance of the vehicle and restraint system in the event of a side-impact collision. Five stars is the highest rating a vehicle can achieve.

Crash-Tested 2008 Ford Taurus Shows Safety Leadership

admin — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:36:32 +0000

NEW YORK, March 18, 2008 – Most cars at auto shows are highly polished and gleaming, except one – a 2008 Ford Taurus that crashed into a 1 million pound wall at 35 mph en route to the Jacob Javits Convention Center. Deliberately.

Crash-Tested 2008 Ford Taurus Shows Safety Leadership at 2008 NYIAS: Ford Taurus earns the highest available rating of five stars in frontal and side crash tests; earned five stars for rollover resistance from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Highlights:
* Crash-tested Ford Taurus on display at Ford’s New York International Auto Show stand