Latest crash test-New 5 series ranked low,Kia,Acura,Volvo tops
08-16-07, 06:09 AM
#1
Latest crash test-New 5 series ranked low,Kia,Acura,Volvo tops
The Acura RL, Kia Amanti and Volvo S80 all earned the highest safety rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, according to results released Thursday. The Cadillac STS and Mercedes E-Class earned the second-highest rating.
The tests were designed to show what would happen if a truck or sport utility vehicle hit the side of the sedan at 31 mph, the speed of a serious crash. Side-impact crashes are the most common type of fatal crash after a frontal crash, killing around 9,000 people on U.S. roadways in 2005, the institute said.
Safety experts say a growing concern is for car drivers in side-impact crashes with bigger vehicles, points out CBS News correspondent Joie Chen.
"Growing sales of SUVs and pickups have exacerbated height mismatches among passenger vehicles, thereby increasing the risks to occupants of many vehicles struck in the side," Insurance Institute President Adrian Lund said in a news release.
"The hoods of those vehicles come in right at head level," Lund told Chen. "And if you don't have an airbag between you and whatever is coming in, they're literally the difference between life and death."
All six sedans were equipped with standard side air bags. The air bags in the BMW 5 Series protected the head, but separate air bags designed to protect the chest and abdomen performed poorly, the institute said.
The 2008 BMW 5 series was rated as "marginal" in a side impact crash, the institute's second-lowest rating. Lund's group isn't labeling the BMW "unsafe," Chen noted, but called the 5 Series model the "worst" among the big cars tested.
BMW spokesman Thomas Plucinsky said the institute's test indicated the 5 Series has a strong body structure but the dummy was injured when it was hit by the arm rest. Plucinsky said BMW does up to 12 crash tests on all its cars as well as computer simulations of crashes.
"The issue is that depending on the location of seat, the location of dummy, the location of the sled, the results could change," he said. "This was one test on one day on one car."
The Kia Amanti was one of the lowest priced sedans in the group, with a starting price of around $25,500, but it offered greater protection than more expensive entries. The BMW 5 Series starts at $43,500, while the Mercedes E-Class starts at $50,550, according to automotive research site Edmunds.com.
"The Amanti shows that you don't have to buy an expensive car to get good protection in crashes with SUVs and pickups," Lund said.
"You can't always tell how much safety you're getting by how much you're paying for the vehicle," he told Chen.
The Volvo S80 also won the institute's top safety award for overall crash protection, since it got the highest ratings in front, side and rear crash tests and has electronic stability control as standard equipment. Stability control helps prevent rollovers. The 2007 Volvo S80 starts at $47,350, according to Edmunds.
All of the sedans tested were 2007 models except the 5 Series, which was redesigned for 2008, institute spokesman Russ Rader said.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20289885/
The tests were designed to show what would happen if a truck or sport utility vehicle hit the side of the sedan at 31 mph, the speed of a serious crash. Side-impact crashes are the most common type of fatal crash after a frontal crash, killing around 9,000 people on U.S. roadways in 2005, the institute said.
Safety experts say a growing concern is for car drivers in side-impact crashes with bigger vehicles, points out CBS News correspondent Joie Chen.
"Growing sales of SUVs and pickups have exacerbated height mismatches among passenger vehicles, thereby increasing the risks to occupants of many vehicles struck in the side," Insurance Institute President Adrian Lund said in a news release.
"The hoods of those vehicles come in right at head level," Lund told Chen. "And if you don't have an airbag between you and whatever is coming in, they're literally the difference between life and death."
All six sedans were equipped with standard side air bags. The air bags in the BMW 5 Series protected the head, but separate air bags designed to protect the chest and abdomen performed poorly, the institute said.
The 2008 BMW 5 series was rated as "marginal" in a side impact crash, the institute's second-lowest rating. Lund's group isn't labeling the BMW "unsafe," Chen noted, but called the 5 Series model the "worst" among the big cars tested.
BMW spokesman Thomas Plucinsky said the institute's test indicated the 5 Series has a strong body structure but the dummy was injured when it was hit by the arm rest. Plucinsky said BMW does up to 12 crash tests on all its cars as well as computer simulations of crashes.
"The issue is that depending on the location of seat, the location of dummy, the location of the sled, the results could change," he said. "This was one test on one day on one car."
The Kia Amanti was one of the lowest priced sedans in the group, with a starting price of around $25,500, but it offered greater protection than more expensive entries. The BMW 5 Series starts at $43,500, while the Mercedes E-Class starts at $50,550, according to automotive research site Edmunds.com.
"The Amanti shows that you don't have to buy an expensive car to get good protection in crashes with SUVs and pickups," Lund said.
"You can't always tell how much safety you're getting by how much you're paying for the vehicle," he told Chen.
The Volvo S80 also won the institute's top safety award for overall crash protection, since it got the highest ratings in front, side and rear crash tests and has electronic stability control as standard equipment. Stability control helps prevent rollovers. The 2007 Volvo S80 starts at $47,350, according to Edmunds.
All of the sedans tested were 2007 models except the 5 Series, which was redesigned for 2008, institute spokesman Russ Rader said.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20289885/
08-16-07, 07:39 AM
#3
Lexus Fanatic
Good for Kia. They've come a long way.
Official IIHS PR:
http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr081607.html
http://www.iihs.org/news/2007/iihs_news_081607.pdf
Also covered here:
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070816/crash_tests_sedans.html
Official IIHS PR:
http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr081607.html
http://www.iihs.org/news/2007/iihs_news_081607.pdf
Also covered here:
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070816/crash_tests_sedans.html
08-16-07, 08:28 AM
#4
The interior of the 5er was redesigned for 2008, including the interior door panels. However, I am disappointed by the results from many of the latest BMWs, including the 3-series convertible and now this. I still believe them to be very safe vehicles regardless of what crash tests show. However, it's disappointing that the actual crash test results aren't up to par with what I've come to expect.
08-16-07, 09:09 AM
#5
Moderator
BMW sedan performs worst in crash test
BMW sedan performs worst in crash test
http://www.yahoo.com/s/652779
By DEE-ANN DURBIN, AP Auto Writer
Thu Aug 16, 6:42 AM ET
DETROIT - The 2008 BMW 5 Series was the worst performer in new side-impact crash tests of luxury sedans by the insurance industry.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Acura RL, Kia Amanti and Volvo S80 all earned the highest safety rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, according to results released Thursday. The Cadillac STS and Mercedes E-Class earned the second-highest rating.
The tests were designed to show what would happen if a truck or sport utility vehicle hit the side of the sedan at 31 mph, the speed of a serious crash. Side-impact crashes are the most common type of fatal crash after a frontal crash, killing around 9,000 people on U.S. roadways in 2005, the institute said.
"Growing sales of SUVs and pickups have exacerbated height mismatches among passenger vehicles, thereby increasing the risks to occupants of many vehicles struck in the side," Insurance Institute President Adrian Lund said in a news release.
All six sedans were equipped with standard side air bags. The air bags in the BMW 5 Series protected the head, but separate air bags designed to protect the chest and abdomen performed poorly, the institute said.
BMW spokesman Thomas Plucinsky said the institute's test indicated the 5 Series has a strong body structure but the dummy was injured when it was hit by the arm rest. Plucinsky said BMW does up to 12 crash tests on all its cars as well as computer simulations of crashes.
"The issue is that depending on the location of seat, the location of dummy, the location of the sled, the results could change," he said. "This was one test on one day on one car."
The Kia Amanti was one of the lowest priced sedans in the group, with a starting price of around $25,500, but it offered greater protection than more expensive entries. The BMW 5 Series starts at $43,500, while the Mercedes E-Class starts at $50,550, according to automotive research site Edmunds.com.
"The Amanti shows that you don't have to buy an expensive car to get good protection in crashes with SUVs and pickups," Lund said.
The Volvo S80 also won the institute's top safety award for overall crash protection, since it got the highest ratings in front, side and rear crash tests and has electronic stability control as standard equipment. Stability control helps prevent rollovers. The 2007 Volvo S80 starts at $47,350, according to Edmunds.
All of the sedans tested were 2007 models except the 5 Series, which was redesigned for 2008, institute spokesman Russ Rader said.
___
On the Net:
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, http://www.iihs.org
Genearch are you there?
http://www.yahoo.com/s/652779
By DEE-ANN DURBIN, AP Auto Writer
Thu Aug 16, 6:42 AM ET
DETROIT - The 2008 BMW 5 Series was the worst performer in new side-impact crash tests of luxury sedans by the insurance industry.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Acura RL, Kia Amanti and Volvo S80 all earned the highest safety rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, according to results released Thursday. The Cadillac STS and Mercedes E-Class earned the second-highest rating.
The tests were designed to show what would happen if a truck or sport utility vehicle hit the side of the sedan at 31 mph, the speed of a serious crash. Side-impact crashes are the most common type of fatal crash after a frontal crash, killing around 9,000 people on U.S. roadways in 2005, the institute said.
"Growing sales of SUVs and pickups have exacerbated height mismatches among passenger vehicles, thereby increasing the risks to occupants of many vehicles struck in the side," Insurance Institute President Adrian Lund said in a news release.
All six sedans were equipped with standard side air bags. The air bags in the BMW 5 Series protected the head, but separate air bags designed to protect the chest and abdomen performed poorly, the institute said.
BMW spokesman Thomas Plucinsky said the institute's test indicated the 5 Series has a strong body structure but the dummy was injured when it was hit by the arm rest. Plucinsky said BMW does up to 12 crash tests on all its cars as well as computer simulations of crashes.
"The issue is that depending on the location of seat, the location of dummy, the location of the sled, the results could change," he said. "This was one test on one day on one car."
The Kia Amanti was one of the lowest priced sedans in the group, with a starting price of around $25,500, but it offered greater protection than more expensive entries. The BMW 5 Series starts at $43,500, while the Mercedes E-Class starts at $50,550, according to automotive research site Edmunds.com.
"The Amanti shows that you don't have to buy an expensive car to get good protection in crashes with SUVs and pickups," Lund said.
The Volvo S80 also won the institute's top safety award for overall crash protection, since it got the highest ratings in front, side and rear crash tests and has electronic stability control as standard equipment. Stability control helps prevent rollovers. The 2007 Volvo S80 starts at $47,350, according to Edmunds.
All of the sedans tested were 2007 models except the 5 Series, which was redesigned for 2008, institute spokesman Russ Rader said.
___
On the Net:
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, http://www.iihs.org
Genearch are you there?
Trending Topics
08-16-07, 09:44 AM
#10
From the IIHS website
The BMW 5 series was redesigned for the 2004 model year. Beginning with 2008 models built after May 2007, modifications were made to the side tubular head protection airbags to improve occupant protection in side-impact crashes (note: information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on or near the driver door). Door trim changes were also made beginning with 2008 model year production. The tested car was manufactured after the modifications had been made.
Injury measures:
Driver — Measures taken from the dummy indicate that rib fractures and/or internal organ injuries would be likely in a crash of this severity. A fracture of the pelvis would also be possible.
Rear passenger — Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.
Head protection:
Driver — The dummy's head was protected from being hit by any hard structures, including the intruding barrier, by a side tubular airbag that deployed from the roof and a side airbag that deployed from the door.
Rear passenger — The dummy's head was protected from being hit by any hard structures, including the intruding barrier, by a side tubular airbag that deployed from the roof.
The BMW 5 series was redesigned for the 2004 model year. Beginning with 2008 models built after May 2007, modifications were made to the side tubular head protection airbags to improve occupant protection in side-impact crashes (note: information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on or near the driver door). Door trim changes were also made beginning with 2008 model year production. The tested car was manufactured after the modifications had been made.
Injury measures:
Driver — Measures taken from the dummy indicate that rib fractures and/or internal organ injuries would be likely in a crash of this severity. A fracture of the pelvis would also be possible.
Rear passenger — Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.
Head protection:
Driver — The dummy's head was protected from being hit by any hard structures, including the intruding barrier, by a side tubular airbag that deployed from the roof and a side airbag that deployed from the door.
Rear passenger — The dummy's head was protected from being hit by any hard structures, including the intruding barrier, by a side tubular airbag that deployed from the roof.
08-16-07, 10:45 AM
#12
Moderator
"This was one test on one day on one car."http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20289885/
08-16-07, 11:38 AM
#15
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