Crash Test: Big SUV vs Small Car

vztrt · 31-07-2008, 03:33 PM

Has a video at the bottome of the link as well.

http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/Ar...ge:ClassiePuff

Quote:

Frightening new footage of a crash test between an Audi Q7 and a Fiat 500 shows that no matter how safe your small car is, it's going to come off second best against a four-wheel-drive.

German auto club ADAC has carried out a "David and Goliath" crash test between a tiny Fiat 500 and a hulking Audi Q7 four-wheel-drive, but unfortunately the result doesn't follow the biblical script.

The test pitted the Fiat against the Audi in a 56kmh offset collision and the results weren't pretty. The testers concluded that the crash would have caused "serious, life-threatening injuries" to the Fiat 500 driver, while the injury risk for the Q7 occupants was low.

The test shows that Euro NCAP crash ratings don't carry much weight when a car fights out of its division.

The Fiat 500 is a five-star performer in Euro NCAP test, while the Q7 only scored four stars.

RG · 31-07-2008, 03:39 PM

One Audi thanks!

WindsorXR · 31-07-2008, 03:52 PM

That audi just mashed them.

JPFS1 · 31-07-2008, 04:11 PM

What a completely useless comparison and article. The correlation of star ratings between cars goes straight out the window when the weight difference is ~200kg, and ANCAP know this, state this and don't claim anything other than this.

**DJM83** · 31-07-2008, 04:33 PM

The view from above really shows how far the Audi went 'into' the fiat.
But i do agree with the above.

vztrt · 31-07-2008, 06:18 PM

I pretty much threw this up to show that while a bigger car will use more pertol, you have a better chance in a head on accident (of course, I'm talking about large newer cars).

Also its fun seeing a small Fiat get mashed up!! lol

Yellow_Festiva · 31-07-2008, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPFS1

What a completely useless comparison and article. The correlation of star ratings between cars goes straight out the window when the weight difference is ~200kg, and ANCAP know this, state this and don't claim anything other than this.

Spot on....

Next.... Mack truck vs Q7....

:

Haaaa...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UVUvuQx0zo

Not quite the same... but funny none the less ;)

DoreSlamR · 31-07-2008, 09:59 PM

This kind of test just gives ammunition to the 4wd haters

BAN FOUR WHEEL DRIVES!!!!
rabblerabblerabblerabblerabblerabblerabblerabblera bblerabble...

HUNTER8 · 31-07-2008, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vztrt

you have a better chance in a head on accident

It's not just a head on.......imagine a side on accident? Thats one of the reasons I'd never buy a small car.
If I had I would be wifeless and daughterless by now.

private9 · 31-07-2008, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPFS1

What a completely useless comparison and article.

Why? When you're driving down the street, you don't exactly get to choose what type of vehicle plows into you do you? IMO it's an entirely valid comparison.

3vXT · 31-07-2008, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by private9

Why? When you're driving down the street, you don't exactly get to choose what type of vehicle plows into you do you? IMO it's an entirely valid comparison.

Because its not telling us anything we didn't already know. Did they crash a range of cars into the audi or just the little one for effect?

Whats the solution, everyone buy huge, heavy cars so that we are all safer? Or should we all be buying small, light cars so that there aren't any big cars to run into us?

XR Martin · 31-07-2008, 11:42 PM

Discovery vs Renault people mover

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDk1JjrBxHM

bd737 · 01-08-2008, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by private9

Why? When you're driving down the street, you don't exactly get to choose what type of vehicle plows into you do you? IMO it's an entirely valid comparison.

It's a completely realistic comparison as well IMO - it seems all everyone's driving now is either a hulking SUV or small hatch!

AWD Chaser · 01-08-2008, 10:51 PM

Anyone see how the drivers head (of the Fiat) hit the window sill of the car? So much for a 5 star rating - that would cause serious brain trauma...

mik · 02-08-2008, 02:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by private9

Why? When you're driving down the street, you don't exactly get to choose what type of vehicle plows into you do you? IMO it's an entirely valid comparison.

agre totally a collision in a light weight car no matter how many airbags is in it , the little car apart from having less of a buffer (less crumple zone) is gunna deaccelerate a hell of a lot faster, see the crash test on 5fift gear with a smart car and barrier , it held its shape but ouch, big cars rock

: .

The Stylist · 02-08-2008, 08:23 AM

Did anyone notice the drivers airbag in the Fiat blowing out? Wonder if it's more than just a isolated problem.

FPV70 · 02-08-2008, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Did anyone notice the drivers airbag in the Fiat blowing out? Wonder if it's more than just a isolated problem.

Yeah I saw that and wondered the same.

I keep telling my missus that the bigger cars are safer but she believes the media hype that the small cars are better and safer with thier 5 star crash ratings.

When will they test a Falcon Vs a laser or something like that?!?!?!

vanman_75 · 02-08-2008, 08:50 AM

i see comparisons like this show other things, like if you hit a tree or other object big is safer .very valid in my opinion

xbcool · 02-08-2008, 09:06 AM

I'll take the 4wd any day and add a big bullbar for good measure

XR Martin · 02-08-2008, 10:15 AM

Renault vs tree

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMgV3tv2UFw

uranium_death · 02-08-2008, 01:22 PM

As I said, regardless of how many stars a car gets, 5 stars on a small car means diddly-squat, as the chances are the car that hits you will be bigger, almost guaranteeing that you'll come off second best.

People's mindsets need to change and accept that petrol being relatively high is just a fact of life. Mind you, people don't complain when they pay 3 bucks for a 2 litre bottle of Coke, 4 bucks for a bottle of water at the footy, or even ink for their printer (well, they do complain, but it isn't national issue :P).

As much as it may suck, having a bigger car that uses petrol is just an extra cost involved in having a car that offers greater safety.

Win some, lose some.