NHTSA - Smart gets high rating, but NHTSA raises safety concern

[smartune]

Originally Posted by strider63

Dan
Is there one for the the rollover test?

Nothing for the rollover, as the car didn't tip. The 3-stars are due to some math calculation...

[race911]

Couple of things on that last graphic with the "range" for whatever-stars on rollover. So this thing points out at 20% and it's instantly "4-stars"??? And note the tire size of 155/60/15 with the video being a Pure. Think that little bit of extra rubber our Passions have might make an itty, bitty bit of difference? (On the other hand, the Cabrio probably brings the CG up enough to negate it.)

In any case, you're responsible for saving your own ass.........

[race911]

On further review, I just realized the Pure has the same sized tires. Oops.....thought the steel wheels meant skinnier tires!

[spdickey]

Headline from Reuters...[
Smart car aces U.S. crash test despite door opening

Fri Apr 4, 2008 6:23am EDT

[wahi]

Oh my, oh my.. it just occurred to me that the smart crash tests were done with DUMMIES on board...

[rwj53]

I have seen a side impact test on this fourm somewhere and when the car was broadsided at 35 mph it sent it flying in the air and it rolled over twice. I don't recall the sun roof shattering and the windshield was still intact. I was very impressed. The roof DID NOT cave in one bit. The cell is amazing.

[bgcat57]

It needs to be noted that 'safety concern' from the NHTSA means that no actual damage happened in thier testing due to the incident being noted. This means that the damage/injury potential is speculative and was not actual based on tests.

[jpauli]

O.K. Everyone, and I mean everyone, has failed to factor in the most important fact. Ralph Nader has not chimed in yet. If this were a "killer car" would'nt he have killed it by now? I was seriously concidering buying the mazda mx-5 miata, now how safe is that car vs a larger vehicle. As posted earlier the TR -6 is definately not a safe car, but fun as hell.