Rear End Crash Video??

[Peddlecar]

I'm wondering if anyone has seen any rear end crash videos. It seems all of the crash testing is front impact, but honestly I wonder how these cars do on a rear impact.

In fact since they are so small, I think you will see the incidence of rear end accidents being higher then most car's.

[Carnut]

That is why another member posted a photo showing a smart with its rear panel in yellow.;)

[MicroNut]

Originally Posted by Peddlecar

I'm wondering if anyone has seen any rear end crash videos. It seems all of the crash testing is front impact, but honestly I wonder how these cars do on a rear impact.

I know that one of the street smart tour cars was rear-ended during a test drive. This was on the Western States tour, and happened between the Albuquerque and Denver stops (so either in San Antonio or Houston).

The smart was stopped at traffic lights and was hit by a "small" Lexus, whose driver totally failed to notice stopped traffic in front of him. The Lexus had to be trailered away; the smart drove back to the street smart event.

Apparently it was quite a decent impact, and the guy taking the test drive was very favorably impressed with the smart's strength. The rear bumper panel showed some scuff marks, and the energy absorbing structure behind the bumper was subsequently replaced.

Oh, and the color of the injured smart? Bright Yellow.

[Norahs_dad]

How would you have liked to been that guy, here your smart back its a little shorter now but still runs good.

[Old smart]

Originally Posted by MicroNut

The smart was stopped at traffic lights and was hit by a "small" Lexus, whose driver totally failed to notice stopped traffic in front of him. The Lexus had to be trailered away; the smart drove back to the street smart event.

Seems like fair game to utilize the other guy

[Peddlecar]

If you look at my avatar, that was my previous car. It was rearended by a lady who said she didn't even know what she hit. In other words, I was going 10mph and turning, she came over the hill going 60 and drove right through me without seeing me.

I guess my reaction was to find something fun and different, that was a little safer then a handbuilt car. I think the Smart car fits that bill pretty well.

I just thought it is funny that car's in general don't seem to have any rear crash testing, or that the video isn't out there to watch?

[Carnut]

Run the YouTube 70mph video in reverse.

[2micro4u]

Originally Posted by Carnut

Run the YouTube 70mph video in reverse.

lol..lol...

[MicroNut]

This video shows the full range of crash tests on the new smart, including rear impact (ignore the first couple of minutes, which is unrelated footage):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrLuOTLA8mg

[lhoboy]

Originally Posted by MicroNut

This video shows the full range of crash tests on the new smart, including rear impact (ignore the first couple of minutes, which is unrelated footage):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrLuOTLA8mg

MicroNut, great find.

The low contact impact shown is less of a concern to me than a big SUV bumper 2-3 foot above the road surface putting the cage frame to the test.