Euro NCAP report (crash test) in! Smart does well

[Lewis]

http://www.euroncap.com/tests/smart_..._2007/303.aspx

[DaveInTexas]

Yeah, and I posted that on the Miata web forums to all of the Nay sayers.
It actually beat out the Miata by a ever so slight margin.

Linkie:

[jwight]

Interesting comments:

Front impact
The passenger cell remained stable during the impact. Structures in the dashboard presented a risk of injury to the knees and femurs of the driver and passenger.

Side impact
The dummy's head contacted the rubber window trim on the cant rail, leading to a high deceleration. However, the data recorded by the dummy suggested an adequate level of head protection. A side impact airbag to protect the chest and the head is available as an option but was not fitted to the test vehicle.

Child-protection
There are no rear seats in the smart fortwo so child protection was not rated. An option package is available from smart which includes ISOFIX anchorages for the passenger seat and a switch to disable the passenger's side frontal airbag. The label warning of the dangers of fitting a rearward facing child restraint without first disabling the airbag was inadequate.

Pedestrian protection
The bumper scored maximum points for the protection it offered to pedestrians' legs. However, the front edge of the bonnet scored no points and those areas which might be struck by pedestrians' heads were rated as predominantly poor.

My take from this is the smart fortwo passion is OK, but just barely. The USA cars will have the side airbags so that's a plus. I've seen several posts about fitting child seats; not an issue for me but personally I wouldn't recommend it. The comment on leg/knee injury potential is not encouraging. I thought M-B would have done better with the second generation smart.

[spdickey]

[SmartShanna]

Looks like the big issue is those pesky pedestrians Did you see crash ratings for the Yaris and Fit? Not a pretty picture.

[Lewis]

I'm amazed it could somehow do this well!