Ford sets safety milestone

Blind_Io · October 5th, 2007, 10:17 AM

http://money.cnn.com/2007/10/04/auto...ion=2007100411

Quote:

Mustang first ragtop to ace NHTSA crash tests

The retro-styled Ford is also the first sports car to get perfect safety scores from government car safety agency.

By Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNNMoney.com staff writer
October 4 2007: 11:22 AM EDT

The 2008 Ford Mustang is the first convertible to ever earn five-star ratings in all crash tests performed by the federal government's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Ford announced Thursday.
Five stars is the highest possible rating in those tests. The Mustang earned five stars for front crash safety for both the driver and passenger as well as five stars for side impact for both front and back passengers. The Mustang convertible also earned five stars for rollover resistance, a measure of how likely a vehicle is to roll over during an abrupt maneuver.

http://i.l.cnn.net/money/2007/10/04/autos/mustang_convertible_crash_test/mustang_convertible.03.jpg

2008 Ford Mustang convertible

All five categories have existed since 2001 when NHTSA added a rollover rating based on laboratory tests.
The results apply to 2008 model year Ford (Charts, Fortune 500) Mustangs. Side airbags are standard equipment on 2008 Mustangs but were optional in previous model years.
IIHS: Top Safety Picks
The hardtop version of the 2008 Mustang also earned five stars in all but one of NHTSA's crash tests. The hardtop Mustang earned four stars for rear passenger protection in side impacts.
The Mustang convertible may have earned a higher score for rear passenger protection because of additional metal structure added to the convertible's body to help resist flexing.
Without a roof, convertible cars' bodies are more prone to twisting during driving which can adversely affect handling. Most convertibles have additional support added to the body to prevent twisting and in this case, Ford spokesman Dan Jarvis theorized, that added structure may also have improved the convertible's performance in the side crash test.
In NHTSA's front impact test, vehicles are crashed into wall at 35 miles per hour. The test is designed to mimic a head-on crash between two similar-sized vehicles at that speed. In NHTSA's side impact test, the vehicle is struck from the side by a 3,015 pound barrier moving at 38.5 miles per hour.
To rate rollover resistance, NHTSA determines a vehicle's center of gravity, a measure of how top-heavy it is, using laboratory tests. A driving test, added in 2004, is also conducted if laboratory tests indicate a vehicle might tip during a sudden maneuver.
The Mustang convertible didn't do quite as well in crash tests conducted by the privately funded Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. In IIHS tests, the Mustang convertible earned the top score for side impact protection, but rated only Acceptable, the second-best score, for front impact protection. The Insurance Institute gave the Mustang a Poor rating for whiplash protection from rear impacts. NHTSA does not rate vehicles for whiplash protection.

jensked · October 5th, 2007, 10:21 AM

That's a good thing.

So Ford is gonna play that card to get back in the game?

D-Fence · October 5th, 2007, 11:07 AM

"It has such a crappy suspension, we make it safe when it flips over (what it will certainly do in a corner)"

IceBone · October 5th, 2007, 12:40 PM

and ncap?

petarkb · October 5th, 2007, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-Fence

"It has such a crappy suspension, we make it safe when it flips over (what it will certainly do in a corner)"

Hello, have you forgotten the Audi TT? And what about the Mercedes A-Class? Germans shouldn't be allowed to criticize cars that flip over, much in the same way that they don't say what's cool. images/smilies/lol.gif

BTW, read the article. I think you'll find you've missed something. images/smilies/wink.gif

gtrietsc · October 5th, 2007, 09:18 PM

I hate the IIHS. You have to question the motives of an organization funded by the big insurance companies.

Blind_Io · October 6th, 2007, 08:37 AM

Their motive is to 1)reduce the payout on claims, especially for injuries and 2) help set premiums for coverage. They want as accurate a description of the crash worthiness of every car for their statistical analysis.

static · October 6th, 2007, 09:34 AM

I want to see non-biased (euro)ncap test.

Blind_Io · October 6th, 2007, 10:54 AM

What makes you think it's biased? They have no reason to skew the results because they would only be screwing themselves.

static · October 6th, 2007, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blind_Io

What makes you think it's biased? They have no reason to skew the results because they would only be screwing themselves.

Ncap is the benchmark. I know what they test and how they test and it's the most appreciated crash-test program. Why use anything else?

chaos386 · October 6th, 2007, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by static

Ncap is the benchmark. I know what they test and how they test and it's the most appreciated crash-test program. Why use anything else?

Er, the IIHS has been crash testing cars for over 30 years. Euro NCAP was only founded 10 years ago.

static · October 6th, 2007, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaos386

Er, the IIHS has been crash testing cars for over 30 years. Euro NCAP was only founded 10 years ago.

Yeah, whatever. I've never even heard about IIHS before so it doesn't mean anything to me.

jrl1018 · October 6th, 2007, 02:42 PM

Quote:

The Mustang convertible didn't do quite as well in crash tests conducted by the privately funded Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. In IIHS tests, the Mustang convertible earned the top score for side impact protection, but rated only Acceptable, the second-best score, for front impact protection. The Insurance Institute gave the Mustang a Poor rating for whiplash protection from rear impacts. NHTSA does not rate vehicles for whiplash protection.

FATMOUSE · October 6th, 2007, 03:26 PM

^Well, it's rear drive so you would be going sideways anyway, right? images/smilies/tongue.gif

cvrefugee · October 6th, 2007, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by static

Yeah, whatever. I've never even heard about IIHS before so it doesn't mean anything to me.

Yeah, whatever. I've never even heard about (insert anything here) before so it doesn't mean anything to me. That has to be the lamest response to (insert anything here).

BerserkerCatSplat · October 6th, 2007, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by static

Yeah, whatever. I've never even heard about IIHS before so it doesn't mean anything to me.

Congratulations! Ignorance makes you secure!

static · October 6th, 2007, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cvg

Yeah, whatever. I've never even heard about (insert anything here) before so it doesn't mean anything to me. That has to be the lamest response to (insert anything here).

If they want to prove something, they have to shine in euroncap crash tests. I've never ever seen anything marketing with "IIHS" crash test results. Might be a big thing there, means nothing over here.

BlaRo · October 6th, 2007, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by static

If they want to prove something, they have to shine in euroncap crash tests. I've never ever seen anything marketing with "IIHS" crash test results. Might be a big thing there, means nothing over here.

Hmm, here's a thought: maybe because in Europe they use NCAP, and in America they use IIHS, so that's why you haven't heard of the latter...

Both are still equally important standards, so I don't see what you're going on about. Do they even sell a lot of Mustangs in Europe to warrant advertising its safety standards there?

NecroJoe · October 6th, 2007, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by static

Yeah, whatever. I've never even heard about IIHS before so it doesn't mean anything to me.

And I'm sure the NHL means nothing to you, nor the NFL, or the NAACP, or anything else from The Americas that starts with "National."

On the other hand, I hadn't even heard of Finland until 2nd grade World Geography. Oh SNAP! *laughs* j/k

Quote:

Originally Posted by static

If they want to prove something, they have to shine in euroncap crash tests. I've never ever seen anything marketing with "IIHS" crash test results. Might be a big thing there, means nothing over here.

I can also assure you that there hasn't been a single car marketed in the US with EuroNCAP results. It's always the IIHS, or the NHTS.

October 5th, 2007, 11:07 AM	#3
D-Fence Ibiza-Proll Joined: Apr 2nd, 2006 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Germany Posts: 2,404 Car: SEAT Ibiza LPG ;) Rep Power: 69	"It has such a crappy suspension, we make it safe when it flips over (what it will certainly do in a corner)" __________________ Quiky & TechZ

October 5th, 2007, 12:40 PM	#4
IceBone Gulf Livery Rules Joined: Jan 14th, 2007 Last Online: 12:44 AM Location: Slovenistan Age: 24 Posts: 6,892 Car: Mitsubishi Carisma GDI Rep Power: 74	and ncap? __________________ The Mitsubishop of Natural Aspiraton

October 5th, 2007, 09:18 PM	#6
gtrietsc Joined: Dec 14th, 2004 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Lewisville, TX USA Age: 31 Posts: 946 Car: '06 Suzuki Katana, '02 Lexus IS300, '07 Ford F-150 Rep Power: 18	I hate the IIHS. You have to question the motives of an organization funded by the big insurance companies. __________________

October 6th, 2007, 08:37 AM	#7
Blind_Io Dispenses buckshot medication for all undead patients. Joined: Apr 5th, 2006 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Richmond, California, USA Age: 28 Posts: 9,076 Car: 2004 Honda Civic Coupe 2000 VFR800 Interceptor Rep Power: 121	Their motive is to 1)reduce the payout on claims, especially for injuries and 2) help set premiums for coverage. They want as accurate a description of the crash worthiness of every car for their statistical analysis. __________________ War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength

October 6th, 2007, 10:54 AM	#9
Blind_Io Dispenses buckshot medication for all undead patients. Joined: Apr 5th, 2006 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Richmond, California, USA Age: 28 Posts: 9,076 Car: 2004 Honda Civic Coupe 2000 VFR800 Interceptor Rep Power: 121	What makes you think it's biased? They have no reason to skew the results because they would only be screwing themselves. __________________ War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength

October 5th, 2007, 10:21 AM	#2
jensked Joined: Mar 31st, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Flanders, Belgium Age: 25 Posts: 4,011 Car: RIP Opel Astra -> 2006 Toyota Corolla Wagon Rep Power: 43	That's a good thing. So Ford is gonna play that card to get back in the game?

October 6th, 2007, 09:34 AM	#8
static Joined: Jan 12th, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Southern Finland Age: 22 Posts: 712 Rep Power: 18	I want to see non-biased (euro)ncap test.

October 6th, 2007, 03:26 PM	#14
FATMOUSE Joined: Jun 30th, 2005 Last Online: 12:19 AM Location: NYC Posts: 3,097 Rep Power: 35	^Well, it's rear drive so you would be going sideways anyway, right?

October 6th, 2007, 07:15 PM	#20
Blind_Io Dispenses buckshot medication for all undead patients. Joined: Apr 5th, 2006 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Richmond, California, USA Age: 28 Posts: 9,076 Car: 2004 Honda Civic Coupe 2000 VFR800 Interceptor Rep Power: 121