Support NeoGAF

[MikeOfTheLivingDead]

A UK driving show, Fifth Gear, crashed one at 70mph into a concrete block at an angle.
Amazingly, the passenger cell survived relatively intact.

There's a world of difference between hitting a not quite immobile piece of concrete at 70, and being hit by a 2 ton SUV at 45-50 miles an hour.

That video doesn't tell the whole story. You need to put a dummy in the car and monitor it. I have serious doubts the people in the car would have survived that crash. The fact is the Smart for 2 gets a 3 out of five star crash rating in Europe behind cars that perform better, have more room, though slightly worse fuel economy. The main reason it hasn't gone on sale yet in the US is because it does not meet US safety standards, not because the company doesn't think it will sell. The few cars that are being sold in the US are going through a company in California who are modifying the cars to meet US standards.

 

[Tarazet]

There's a world of difference between hitting a not quite immobile piece of concrete at 70, and being hit by a 2 ton SUV at 45-50 miles an hour.

That video doesn't tell the whole story. You need to put a dummy in the car and monitor it. I have serious doubts the people in the car would have survived that crash. The fact is the Smart for 2 gets a 3 out of five star crash rating in Europe behind cars that perform better, have more room, though slightly worse fuel economy. The main reason it hasn't gone on sale yet in the US is because it does not meet US safety standards, not because the company doesn't think it will sell. The few cars that are being sold in the US are going through a company in California who are modifying the cars to meet US standards.

IIRC the video does mention there is no chance of the passengers surviving the impact. It's only a demonstration of the structural integrity of the thing.

 

[MikeOfTheLivingDead]

IIRC the video does mention there is no chance of the passengers surviving the impact. It's only a demonstration of the structural integrity of the thing.

Does it? I have no sound on this computer. If that's the case then why would someone try to post it as a testament to the car's durability? The car is totaled, the passengers are dead, but, hey look, the frame is relatively intact and we can open the door after the accident to remove the bodies easily.

 

[Tarazet]

Does it? I have no sound on this computer. If that's the case then why would someone try to post it as a testament to the car's durability? The car is totaled, the passengers are dead, but, hey look, the frame is relatively intact and we can open the door after the accident to remove the bodies easily.

Not too many cars would look that great after a direct impact at 70 mph with a stationary object, and you wouldn't be likely to survive regardless. But it certainly does dispel the idea that it would crumple front to back like a piece of paper in a minor accident, as a Geo Metro would.

 

[GSG Flash]

There are so many here in Ottawa it's ridiculous.

The cars not for me though, maybe if it was below 10k in price, it doesn't seem practical enough for me.

 

[BuG]

These have been around for ages. Is this a new thing in America? You can park them with the nose to the kerb I've heard, so no more parallel parking.

edit: I see, it is a new thing in America. I was always under the impression that they were quite safe given their size. I probably heard that from one of the Smart Car marketing geeks on the tele.