From the model list, it seems they were testing the small, or compact, car segment. The MINI falls in the sub-compact class with things like the Aveo, Aerio, etc. Maybe that's why a separate study? Just a guess from the line-up.

And you are thinking of the Cobalt.

 

Those side tests are inconclusive anyway. The "test" vehicle was stationary, while the "SUV" was moving. I can't think of a single normal traffic situation where the hit vehicle wasn't moving. The test just isn't a real world scenario. If the vehicle under test is moving, the physics of the accident change dramatically. I'm assuming an ulterior motive on the part of the testing facilities or their financial backers.

 

How is it not real world? If you're going through an intersection and an SUV hits you at 30 mph in the side door like the test shows and you're moving, you'll still get similar damge. If you're just pulling away from the line on a green light and someone runs it, your forward velocity is most likely not more than 15 mph, and even that's kind of high. We don't all accelerate at full throttle.

The IIHS and it's crash test data is meant to compliment the NHTSA data. Where the NHTSA puts the car into a brick wall the IIHS uses deformable impact subjects to more acurately simulate hitting another car. For most purposes, the NHTSA test is a good test of the vehicle's restraint system, and the IIHS test is a better test on the vehicle's safety cage and how the cage reacts to impact.

And I'm not surprised by these results. Getting hit by an SUV in a small car in a side impact is just going to suck.

 

Did much better than a ford f150 in a frontla crash test so i think we can all breathe a sigh of relief

 

Glad I have a MINI Next time my friend brags about her Ford Pickup, I'll show her this picture

Lois

 

The Ford F150 has been redesigned since those pictures were taken. I would say the results would be significantly different if using a newer model of that truck. However, having said that, the MINI has much better ability to avoid getting into an accident in the first place.

Have fun driving your MINI, but do it safely.

 

Here is the story from Gabe's site on the MINI vs the F-150. It's from May 2004.

http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/05/...r_vs_ford_f150

 

The new F-150 is a best pick now in the frontal crash tests.

http://www.iihs.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/0328.htm

Mini is not so good in the rear crash tests.

http://www.iihs.org/vehicle_ratings/.../head_mini.htm

 

Dump Truck vs MINI
Dump Truck vs Volvo
Dump Truck vs Escalade

Who cares where the air bags are?

Just a thought

 

Maybe - but that dump truck would have to catch me first!

 

I was behind a big truck today at a stoplight and I glanced in the mirror and there was a big truck behind me.

You ever see the movie "Final Destination 2"?

 

have any of you seen this article?

http://www.bridger.us/2002/12/16/Cra...operVsFordF150

compares a mini cooper to a ford f150. the mini kicks ****.

 

Better get back online and get the latest model F150's stats...

 

The F150 has been redesigned since that test. It's much better now.

http://www.highwaysafety.org/vehicle.../html/0328.htm

 

This topic has been discussed quite a bit, both on NAM, and especially on MotoringFile. I merged several threads together into this one.

I'm going to follow Gabe's lead on this and close down the topic.

 

I apologize if someone has posted this already but I just couldn't resist!

http://www.bridger.us/2002/12/16/Cra...operVsFordF150

 

Threads Merged.

The thread will remain locked. The reason for that was stated previously in this thread, but now that we're onto a new page with the thread merge, I'll quote it again so it appears here.

 

Show them this crash test comparison between a Mini and a Ford F-150. Hitting the same barrier head on at 40 mph.

 

Would never have guessed the Mini Cooper beat out the Ford F-150 in the crash test, but according to the NHTSB the Mini wins hands down. At least back in 2002. Interesting search arguement that I used when looking for safety info prior to the purchase of a Mini. Came up with the F-150 hit along with a bunch of other interesting stuff...

http://www.bridger.us/2002/12/16/Cra...operVsFordF150



Check this link out that came up on the search... They ever catch this guy?? Somewhere in Texas is a guy who doesn't want to be in a North America Motoring thread about Mini spotting, that much is for sure.

http://www.fortbendnow.com/news/1038...riple-fatality

 

Threads merged