Chief Toyota test driver killed in LFA wreck
06-23-10, 11:23 AM
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Chief Toyota test driver killed in LFA wreck
Very very sad news. Makes me wonder if there was something wrong with the safety systems in this particular LFA.
The structure of both cars look OK, doesn't look like this was a particularly fast impact? The BMW drivers initially survived.
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/23/b...-germany-ring/
EDIT: On-scene video: http://www.rhein-zeitung.de/regional...id,102517.html
The structure of both cars look OK, doesn't look like this was a particularly fast impact? The BMW drivers initially survived.
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/23/b...-germany-ring/
EDIT: On-scene video: http://www.rhein-zeitung.de/regional...id,102517.html
06-23-10, 11:46 AM
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06-23-10, 11:47 AM
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Maybe he died before the wreck, like as the result of a heart attack?
That 5-Series doesn't look any worse than the example after the IIHS 40MPH offset test, which is considered highly survivable. It doesn't look like the dash was pushed in or the A-pillar crushed. Lots of survival space left which is why I am surprised that this resulted in such injury/death. I am really curious as to how fast each was going.
That 5-Series doesn't look any worse than the example after the IIHS 40MPH offset test, which is considered highly survivable. It doesn't look like the dash was pushed in or the A-pillar crushed. Lots of survival space left which is why I am surprised that this resulted in such injury/death. I am really curious as to how fast each was going.
06-23-10, 11:53 AM
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Horribly sad news. 
Looks like he died because no airbag was fitted for the prototype car, or at least none deployed. The driver compartment looks to be in good enough shape for the driver to survive otherwise.
Looks like he died because no airbag was fitted for the prototype car, or at least none deployed. The driver compartment looks to be in good enough shape for the driver to survive otherwise.
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06-23-10, 11:58 AM
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Maybe he died before the wreck, like as the result of a heart attack?
That 5-Series doesn't look any worse than the example after the IIHS 40MPH offset test, which is considered highly survivable. It doesn't look like the dash was pushed in or the A-pillar crushed. Lots of survival space left which is why I am surprised that this resulted in such injury/death. I am really curious as to how fast each was going.
That 5-Series doesn't look any worse than the example after the IIHS 40MPH offset test, which is considered highly survivable. It doesn't look like the dash was pushed in or the A-pillar crushed. Lots of survival space left which is why I am surprised that this resulted in such injury/death. I am really curious as to how fast each was going.
from the news it says both people in the bmw are in life-threatening conditions too
06-23-10, 12:04 PM
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There was quite a bit of blood spatter on the LFA driver's helmet, so it must not have had (functioning) airbags, or maybe he was hit by debris. Very sad, reminds of Ayrton Senna's crash scene for some reason...
06-23-10, 12:11 PM
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So sad, especially when you look at his resume. He had a hand in developing every single important Toyota sports car. He lived an awesome life, and someone like this you just CANNOT replace. Big loss for Toyota and fans of Toyota sports cars.
They should name the special edition LFA after him.
http://gazoo.com/racing/english/vol_01/page04.asp
They should name the special edition LFA after him.
http://gazoo.com/racing/english/vol_01/page04.asp
06-23-10, 12:24 PM
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Very sad. I really enjoyed his commentary on the various interviews with him that have been published in the past couple years.
I recall from the discussions that the Nur edition was not fitted with the same airbag features as base model (at least the US one) to begin with, and also, this may have been a different prototype spec version.
I recall from the discussions that the Nur edition was not fitted with the same airbag features as base model (at least the US one) to begin with, and also, this may have been a different prototype spec version.
