NHTSA RELEASES CRASH TEST RESULTS FOR THREE NOTABLE CARS |
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Topics: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, General Motors EV-1, Audi A8, Ford Taurus
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NHTSA
September 15, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NHTSA 62-98
September 15, 1998
Contact: Tim Hurd
Tel. No. (202) 366-9550
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today released the frontal crash test results for two model year 1998 cars and one model year 1999 car, including two cars with five stars for both driver and passenger protection and the first production electric car to be rated for safety in a frontal impact crash.
Frontal crash impact test results included are for the 1998 General Motors EV1 electric two-door car, 1998 Audi A8 four-door, and the 1999 Ford Taurus four-door. These new test results for the 1998 Audi A8 will also be valid for model year 1999. The 1999 Taurus has a redesigned frontal restraint system.
The EV1 is General Motors' first production electric vehicle in more than eighty years. General Motors put twenty-six advanced lead-acid batteries in the EV1. To reduce the risk of leakage in case of a collision, they stored the electrolyte in absorbing pads between the battery plates. The frontal crash test verified that the EV1 meets the recommended industry requirements for electrical isolation and limiting electrolyte spillage. The requirements are meant to protect passengers and rescue personnel from electrical shock and spilled electrolyte in the event of a crash.
In the frontal crashes, vehicles are crashed at 35 mph such that the entire front impacts against a rigid, fixed barrier. This crash is equivalent to a head-on collision between two identical vehicles, each moving at 35 mph, or with a 70 mph closing speed. Crash-test dummies are placed in the driver and front passenger seats. These instrumented dummies register forces and impacts during the crash, which NHTSA uses to predict frontal head and chest injuries.
For the frontal NCAP, crash test results are reported in a range of one to five stars, with five stars showing the best crash protection for vehicles within the same weight class. Head and chest data, which show the chance of a life-threatening injury, are combined into a single rating, reflected by the number of stars. These represent a vehicle's relative level of crash protection in a head-on collision. Thigh injury, though rarely life-threatening, is also measured in the tests. Such injury can be disabling, and if a high likelihood of thigh injury is shown in the tests, it will be noted in the charts.
NHTSA emphasized that the crash test results for frontal impact are meaningful only for comparing relative injury risk in frontal collisions between vehicles of similar weight, within an approximate weight range of 500 pounds. The test results for passenger cars are presented in separate tables for each weight class and listed alphabetically within each table. Separate tables are provided for sport utility vehicles, vans, and light trucks. In head-on collisions involving two vehicles of different weights, occupants in lighter weight vehicles usually experience greater risk of injury than those in heavier vehicles.
A side-impact crash test result is included for the Ford Taurus four-door. The side safety rating for the 1998 and the 1999 Ford Taurus are the same. The ratings in the two years are the same because the manufacturer is selling a vehicle in model year 1999 that has the same side design as in 1998.
The combination of frontal and side crash tests in the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) gives consumers relative safety information on the two most common injury-causing crash events--frontal and side impacts. In the attached tables, safety information is provided for both the frontal and side NCAP tests.
The federal safety agency said the side crash used to test these passenger cars simulates a typical intersection collision between two vehicles. In the tests, forces are measured on two crash dummies when a moving, deformable barrier is impacted at an angle into the side of a car at 38.5 mph.
Crash-test dummies--designed specifically to measure human-like responses in the side direction--are placed in the driver position and in the rear seat position behind the driver. Instruments measure the force of impact to the dummy's chest and pelvis. The chest data, which shows the chance of life-threatening injury, is signified in a single rating reflected by the number of stars. Pelvic injury also is measured. If a high likelihood of pelvic injury occurs in the lateral test, the consumer is also informed of this possible injury by a pound symbol.
NHTSA advised consumers, in reviewing the front and lateral star ratings, to keep in mind that in real world crashes vehicles are twice as likely to be involved in severe frontal crashes as in severe side crashes. Test results show the relative crash protection provided to occupants using all of the vehicle's occupant protection equipment. Occupant protection equipment consists of safety belts and air bags. The results do not apply to unbelted occupants. The side air bag equipment provided on each tested vehicle is shown to the right of the vehicle's overall score. The side air bag column refers to what was in the vehicle tested and not to options that might be available from the manufacturer.
Consumers can obtain more detailed information on these crash results by visiting NHTSA's World Wide Web site: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov or by calling the agency's toll-free Auto Safety Hotline, 800-424-9393. NHTSA currently reports about 12,000 visitors per week , an indication of high consumer interest in auto safety information.
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New Car Assessment Program
How To Use This Chart
In the frontal crash rating, vehicles are classified by the estimated chance of a life threatening head and/or chest injury for the driver or front seat passenger.
Frontal crash results should be compared against other vehicles in the same weight class. If a light vehicle collides head-on with a heavier vehicle at 35mph, the occupants in the lighter vehicle could experience a greater chance of injury than the results of this test indicate.
In the side crash rating, vehicles are classified by the estimated chance of a life threatening chest injury for the driver and the rear seat passenger. Head injury is not measured in the side crashes.
Drivers and passengers in both the frontal and side crash rating receive a one to five star rating with five stars indicating the best protection.
Vehicles are twice as likely to be involved in severe frontal crashes than in severe side crashes. Test results show the relative crash protection provided to occupants using all of the vehicle's occupant protection equipment. Occupant protection equipment consists of safety belts and air bags. The results do not apply to unbelted occupants.
All vehicles had safety belt systems for all occupants and frontal air bags for the driver and right front seat passenger. The side air bag equipment provided on each tested vehicle is shown to the right of the vehicle's overall score. The side air bag column refers to what was in the vehicle tested and not to options that might be available from the manufacturer.
Also, thigh injury is measured in the frontal crash tests and pelvic injury is measured in the side crash tests. If a high likelihood of a thigh injury or a pelvic injury occurs, the consumer is informed of these possible injuries by an asterisk or a pound symbol respectively.
SEPTEMBER 1998
| 1998 LIGHT PASSENGER CARS (2000 - 2499 lbs. Curb Weight) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAKE & MODEL | FRONTAL CRASH RATINGS | SIDE CRASH RATING | SIDE AIR BAG | ||||
| DRIVER | PASSENGER | DRIVER | REAR PASSENGER | FRONT | BACK | ||
| CHEVROLET PRISM 4DR | 2498 lbs. |  | |  | | ||
| FORD ESCORT 4DR | 2548 lbs. | | | | | ||
| HONDA CIVIC 2DR | 2313 lbs. | | |  | | ||
| HONDA CIVIC 4DR | 2379 lbs. | | | | | ||
| HYUNDAI ACCENT 4DR | 2254 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| MAZDA PROTEGE 4DR | 2429 lbs. | | NO DATA | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| MERCURY TRACER 4DR | 2458 lbs. | | | | | ||
| NISSAN SENTRA 4DR | 2452 lbs. | | | | | ||
| SATURN SL 4DR | 2269 lbs. |  | | | | ||
| TOYOTA COROLLA 4DR | 2498 lbs. | | | | | ||
| TOYOTA TERCEL 2DR | 2070 lbs. | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | | | ||
# HIGH LIKELIHOOD OF PELVIC INJURY
| 1998 COMPACT PASSENGER CARS (2500 - 2999 lbs. Curb Weight) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAKE & MODEL | FRONTAL CRASH RATINGS | SIDE CRASH RATING | SIDE AIR BAG | ||||
| DRIVER | PASSENGER | DRIVER | REAR PASSENGER | FRONT | BACK | ||
| BUICK SKYLARK 4DR | 2983 lbs. | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED |  | | ||
| CHEVROLET CAVALIER 2DR | 2708 lbs. | | | | | ||
| CHEVROLET CAVALIER 4DR | 2750 lbs. | | | | | ||
| DODGE NEON 4DR | 2520 lbs. | | | | | ||
| EAGLE TALON 2DR | 2853 lbs. | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | | NO DATA | ||
| FORD CONTOUR 4DR | 2860 lbs. | | | | | ||
| FORD ESCORT ZX2 2DR | 2541 lbs. | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | | | ||
| GM EV1 2DR | 2886 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| HYUNDAI ELANTRA 4DR | 2706 lbs. | | | | | ||
| HYUNDAI SONATA 4DR | 2761 lbs. | | | | | ||
| MAZDA 626 4DR | 2762 lbs. | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | | | ||
| MERCURY MYSTIQUE 4DR | 2860 lbs. | | | | | ||
# HIGH LIKELIHOOD OF PELVIC INJURY
| 1998 COMPACT PASSENGER CARS (2500 - 2999 lbs. Curb Weight) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAKE & MODEL | FRONTAL CRASH RATINGS | SIDE CRASH RATING | SIDE AIR BAG | ||||
| DRIVER | PASSENGER | DRIVER | REAR PASSENGER | FRONT | BACK | ||
| MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE 2DR | 2853 lbs. | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | | NO DATA | ||
| MITSUBISHI GALANT 4DR | 2860 lbs. | | | | | ||
| NISSAN ALTIMA 4DR | 2990 lbs. | | | | | ||
| OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA 4DR | 2983 lbs. | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | | | ||
| PLYMOUTH NEON 4DR | 2520 lbs. | | | | | ||
| PONTIAC GRAND AM 4DR | 2983 lbs. | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | | | ||
| PONTIAC SUNFIRE 2DR | 2708 lbs. | | | | | ||
| PONTIAC SUNFIRE 4DR | 2750 lbs. | | | | | ||
| SUBARU LEGACY 4DR | 2959 lbs. | | | | NO DATA | ||
| VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 4DR | 2788 lbs. | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | | |  | |
# HIGH LIKELIHOOD OF PELVIC INJURY
| 1998 MEDIUM PASSENGER CARS (3000 - 3499 lbs. Curb Weight) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAKE & MODEL | FRONTAL CRASH RATINGS | SIDE CRASH RATING | SIDE AIR BAG | ||||
| DRIVER | PASSENGER | DRIVER | REAR PASSENGER | FRONT | BACK | ||
| ACURA TL 4DR | 3285 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| BUICK CENTURY 4DR | 3380 lbs. | TO BE TESTED | TO BE TESTED | | | ||
| BUICK LESABRE 4DR | 3442 lbs. | | | | | ||
| BUICK REGAL 4DR | 3380 lbs. | TO BE TESTED | TO BE TESTED | | | ||
| CHEVROLET CAMARO 2DR | 3336 lbs. | | | | | ||
| CHEVROLET LUMINA 4DR | 3367 lbs. | | | | | ||
| CHEVROLET MALIBU 4DR | 3083 lbs. | | | | | ||
| CHRYSLER CIRRUS 4DR | 3043 lbs. | | | | | ||
| DODGE STRATUS 4DR | 3043 lbs. | | | | | ||
| FORD MUSTANG 2DR | 3078 lbs. | | | | | ||
| FORD TAURUS 4DR | 3308 lbs. | | | | | ||
| HONDA ACCORD 2DR | 3175 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| HONDA ACCORD 4DR | 3078 lbs. | | | | | ||
| INFINITI I30 4DR | 3088 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| LEXUS ES300 4DR | 3344 lbs. | | | | | | |
| MERCEDES-BENZ C230 4DR | 3190 lbs. | | | | | | |
| 1998 MEDIUM PASSENGER CARS (3000 - 3499 lbs. Curb Weight) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAKE & MODEL | FRONTAL CRASH RATINGS | SIDE CRASH RATING | SIDE AIR BAG | ||||
| DRIVER | PASSENGER | DRIVER | REAR PASSENGER | FRONT | BACK | ||
| MERCURY SABLE 4DR | 3308 lbs. | | | | | ||
| NISSAN MAXIMA 4DR | 3088 lbs. | | | | | ||
| OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS 4DR | 3083 lbs. | | | | | ||
| OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE 4DR | 3398 lbs. | | | | | ||
| PLYMOUTH BREEZE 4DR | 3043 lbs. | | | | | ||
| PONTIAC FIREBIRD 2DR | 3336 lbs. | | | | | ||
| SAAB 900 4DR | 3064 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| TOYOTA AVALON 4DR | 3319 lbs. | | | | | | |
| TOYOTA CAMRY 4DR | 3098 lbs. | | | | | ||
| VOLVO S70 4DR | 3126 lbs. | | | | NO DATA | | |
| 1998 HEAVY PASSENGER CARS (3500 lbs. & over Curb Weight) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAKE & MODEL | FRONTAL CRASH RATINGS | SIDE CRASH RATING | SIDE AIR BAG | ||||
| DRIVER | PASSENGER | DRIVER | REAR PASSENGER | FRONT | BACK | ||
| AUDI A8 4DR | 3751 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | | |
| CADILLAC DEVILLE 4DR | 4011 lbs. | | | | | | |
| FORD CROWN VICTORIA 4DR | 3951 lbs. | | | | | ||
| MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS 4DR | 3951 lbs. | | | | | ||
| OLDSMOBILE AURORA 4DR | 3993 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SSE 4DR | 3558 lbs. | | | | | ||
| VOLVO S90 4DR | 3521 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | | |
| 1998 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAKE & MODEL | FRONTAL CRASH RATINGS | SIDE CRASH RATING | SIDE AIR BAG | ||||
| DRIVER | PASSENGER | DRIVER | REAR PASSENGER | FRONT | BACK | ||
| CHEVROLET BLAZER 4DR 4X4 | 4208 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 4DR 4X4 | 5759 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| DODGE DURANGO 4DR 4X4 | 4694 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| FORD EXPEDITION 4DR 4X4 | 5497 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| FORD EXPLORER 4DR 4X4 | 4258 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| GMC JIMMY 4DR 4X4 | 4208 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| GMC SUBURBAN 4DR 4X4 | 5759 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| HONDA CR-V 4DR 4X4 | 3149 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| HONDA PASSPORT 4DR 4X4 | 3966 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| ISUZU RODEO 4DR 4X4 | 3966 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 4DR 4X4 | 3871 lbs | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| LINCOLN NAVIGATOR 4DR 4X4 | 5497 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| MERCEDES ML320 4DR 4X4 | 4396 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | | |
| MERCURY MOUNTAINEER 4DR 4X4 | 4258 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA 4DR 4X4 | 4208 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| TOYOTA 4RUNNER 4DR 4X4 | 4029 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| TOYOTA RAV4 4DR 4X4 | 3005 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| 1998 LIGHT TRUCKS | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAKE & MODEL | FRONTAL CRASH RATINGS | SIDE CRASH RATING | SIDE AIR BAG | ||||
| DRIVER | PASSENGER | DRIVER | REAR PASSENGER | FRONT | REAR | ||
| CHEVROLET C/K PU EXCAB | 4518 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| CHEVROLET S10 PU EXCAB | 3497 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| DODGE DAKOTA PU EXCAB | 3856 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| DODGE RAM PU EXCAB | 4896 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| FORD F150 PU | 3951 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| FORD RANGER PU | 3543 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| GMC SIERRA PU EXCAB | 4518 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| GMC SONOMA PU EXCAB | 3497 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| MAZDA B-SERIES | 3543 lbs | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| NISSAN FRONTIER PU EXCAB | 3691 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| TOYOTA TACOMA PU EXCAB | 3601 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| 1998 VANS | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAKE & MODEL | FRONTAL CRASH RATINGS | SIDE CRASH RATING | SIDE AIR BAG | ||||
| DRIVER | PASSENGER | DRIVER | REAR PASSENGER | FRONT | REAR | ||
| CHEVROLET ASTRO | 4415 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| CHEVROLET VENTURE | 3857 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | | |
| CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY SX | 3709 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY LX | 4017 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| DODGE CARAVAN | 3709 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| DODGE GRAND CARAVAN | 4017 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| FORD WINDSTAR | 3810 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| GMC SAFARI | 4415 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| MAZDA MPV | 3821 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE | 3857 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | | |
| PLYMOUTH GRAND VOYAGER | 4017 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| PLYMOUTH VOYAGER | 3709 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||
| PONTIAC TRANSPORT | 3857 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | | |
| TOYOTA SIENNA | 3973 lbs. | | | NOT TESTED | NOT TESTED | ||