Fortwo/Forfour Smart Fortwo poses safety fears in US

[Bartek S.]

DaimlerChrysler’s tiny Smart car is a popular model for tackling Europe’s tight inner-city streets and exorbitant fuel prices, but in the US, where it’s common to see 4,500 pound SUVs, fears are rising that the minicar won’t stand much of chance in a serious accident with one of these Goliaths of the road. This hasn’t stopped more than 20,000 Smart fans in the US pre-ordering the car before it has even arrived or before it has even been tested by the America’s National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.
The American version of the Fortwo will be slightly larger than its Euro cousin, measuring in at just 8.8 feet in length and a little over 5 five in width and height, reports Associated Press. Its tiny stature means the new minicar tips the scales at just 1,700 pounds, a featherweight against vehicles like the Ford Explorer, which can weigh up to 4,606 pounds.
Despite DCX’s praise of the car’s safety package, which includes a stiff safety cell, antilock brakes, several airbags and seatbelts pretensioners, Russ Rader of the Arlington based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, warns that in an accident “the laws of physics can’t be repealed,” adding that “even with modern safety features like multiple air bags, people in small, light cars are always at a disadvantage in crashes”.
Motor Authority » Smart Fortwo poses safety fears in US

 

[wltsm]

I never knew America was getting a bigger version of the car, it much be very costly for MB to do that!

I wonder why the mini hasn't had all these safety concerns, or has it?

 

[Euphoria]

America's getting bigger versions because of the NHTSA's regulations, which totally negates the car's purpose. But that's what you get for living in a country where everything MUST be big.

The difference to a lot of people between the Mini and smart are that the mini is more conservative looking (low to the ground, coupe-like) creating the effect of a longer body, but the smart is looks like a minivan cut in half(tall with a small wheelbase).

However, the good news is that some people I know really like the smart cars in Europe. That could be a good sign that at least some people are going to buy the car. The worst part would be it's abilities on a highway, because a lot of the US is highways, and without that part of the road system, especially in the LA area where I live, it would definitely be unsellable.

 

[RLE]

Take a look at Wrecked Exotics - Car Crash Picture, Exotic Cars, car wreck, crash test, car crash photo, car wreck picture, car crash test, picture of car crash, car crash pic,, click on bad wrecks (or is it bad crashes) and observe what remains of a few euro minicars when they tangle with the big trucks on the high speed highways of Europe and the mideast.

If I wanted 45-50 mpg I'd buy a VW TDI of some sort.

 

[RLE]

<<Take a look at wreckedexotics dot com, click on bad wrecks (or is it bad crashes) and observe what remains of a few euro minicars when they tangle with the big trucks on the high speed highways of Europe and the mideast.

If I wanted 45-50 mpg I'd buy a VW TDI of some sort.[/quote]

 

[Kowalski]

Take a look at Wrecked Exotics - Car Crash Picture, Exotic Cars, car wreck, crash test, car crash photo, car wreck picture, car crash test, picture of car crash, car crash pic,, click on bad wrecks (or is it bad crashes) and observe what remains of a few euro minicars when they tangle with the big trucks on the high speed highways of Europe and the mideast.

Throw a Hummer against a Lorry and it will not stand too much chance against something even bigger.

 

[Bartek S.]

Smart ForTwo supermini scores 4-star rating in Euro NCAP crash test

Despite its diminutive size the Smart Fortwo supermini has achieved a four out of five star rating in the latest Euro NCAP’s Adult Occupant crash tests, putting it in par with some large sedans and SUVs in terms of occupant safety. The same can’t be said for pedestrian safety, where the tiny Fortwo scored only two stars.

The tests include front, side and pedestrian impacts, and since the Fortwo has no rear seats it can’t be assessed for child protection. In the Front Impact test, 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.
For the side test, the dummy’s head contacted the rubber window trim, 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.
The bumper scored maximum points for the protection it offered to pedestrians’ legs but the car lost points because the front edge of the bonnet offered no protection for a pedestrian’s head.

 

[coolraoul]

I never knew America was getting a bigger version of the car, it much be very costly for MB to do that!

I wonder why the mini hasn't had all these safety concerns, or has it?

This is not a bigger version of the smart. only the front and rear plastic panels that are a bit bigger, making slightly bigger "bumpers". Not that expensive.

Concerning the fear... I would say, given the height of the smart, it even could perform better than most bigger but lower cars again a big suv. These suvs have soft fronts and week structure allowing the tough smart to use the suv as an energy absorber...

Anyway, visually, it is impressive to see a smart near a Dodge Ram...

But, Top Gear tested a big heavy old Vovlo SW (940 I think) against a small, cute Renault Modus.
The Volvo has been litterally destroyed by the small Renault. The passenger cell of the Renault reamined brand new, whereas the passenger cell of the Volvo was completely deformed...

So, a test could show it the smart performs well against one of these Explorers...There could be surprises.

 

[bmer]

A rather good result. However the guy who wrote the article doesn't seem to know much about the EURONCAP tests:

Despite its diminutive size the Smart Fortwo supermini has achieved a four out of five star rating in the latest Euro NCAP’s Adult Occupant crash tests, putting it in par with some large sedans and SUVs in terms of occupant safety.

He thinks you can compare 4-star rating in microcar class to 4-star rating in large sedans and SUVs.

 

[coolraoul]

Yeah, this is the problem with these tests.

Because at one speed against one kind of obstacles you have the same rating, one think his smart is as safe as a 5-Series, and the one with a Modus thinks his car is as safe as an E-Class...

The crash-ratings are very good, because they oblige the carmakers to improve the safety of their models, but they can be misleading when you do not look at them with enough distance. It is clear that in case of a 4-stars smart against a four stars 5-Series, the result will not be the same for the passengers.

Anyway, 4-stars against a wall for the smart proves how efficient his safety concept is, and how far you can go with such a small crash-zone at the front of a vehicule. kudos to them.