http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_rat...tml/0222.htm#4

The same people that gave a "Marginal" test result to the Cooper's bumpers, has given the MINI top honors in their latest offset results.

Job well done, MINI!!!!!!!

 

This is an interesting comparison:

http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_rat.../html/0110.htm

 

>>This is an interesting comparison:
>>
>>http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_rat.../html/0110.htm

Yes, however, don't miss the disclaimer:
IMPORTANT: Compared with other large pickup trucks--compare ratings only among vehicles of similar weight.

So they're just saying that compared to other full-size pick-ups, the F-150 doesn't do very well. The physics of the situation still dictate that a MINI would lose badly in a head-on crash with an F-150

 

Interesting. Of all full size pick up tested only the Toyota Tundra and Dodge RAM barely made it in the tests. None, however, were selected as best picks.

 

First of all, thanks for the links!

Secondly, as for comparing. Check out the driver compartment in both. Autos are considered more safe if the area surrounding the driver stays intact while the rest crumples. Go ahead take another look at the photos of each in the two links. Seriously, which vehicle F-150 or MINI would you like to be in?

MINI:


F-150:



_________________
Dominic MINI Cooper S
12/4 Ordered: 2k3 MCS LY/W #1 #2 HK & 6-disc

 

No question what would win in a head-on. I was more interested in how a company could create a modern vehicle that could perform so badly on this test. Keep in mind also this is the best selling vehicle in the US. One would think that Ford would have put more effort into the engineering of this truck.

All you have to do is look athhe dummy's legs and you can get an idea of what would happen if you hit a wall. The MINI had almost no intrusion which "indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained very well" - the F150 on the other hand had "Major collapse of the occupant compartment that left little survival space for the driver."


>>>>This is an interesting comparison:
>>>>
>>>>http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_rat.../html/0110.htm
>>
>>Yes, however, don't miss the disclaimer:
>>IMPORTANT: Compared with other large pickup trucks--compare ratings only among vehicles of similar weight.
>>
>>So they're just saying that compared to other full-size pick-ups, the F-150 doesn't do very well. The physics of the situation still dictate that a MINI would lose badly in a head-on crash with an F-150

 

I'm glad the Mini did well in this test.
I've never driven into anything at 2.5mph.
I feel much safer now.

 

I knew this would be good. But, what I also find interesting is that the small car with the best rating (Suzuki Aerio) also had the worst rating in the stupid parking-lot-low-speed-boy-thats-a-dumb-test crash thing that everyone keeps insisting on throwing in my face. Of course they don't know about the 4 star rating by the gov. agency, or the good rating from the insurance folks...

Also, makes me glad I didn't go ahead and get an F150 (it WAS on the list)

 

>>Secondly, as for comparing. Check out the driver compartment in both. Autos are considered more safe if the area surrounding the driver stays intact while the rest crumples. Go ahead take another look at the photos of each in the two links. Seriously, which vehicle F-150 or MINI would you like to be in?
>>

Point taken. If I have to run into a wall, I'd much rather be in my MINI than an F-150 (of course that's true in almost any situation I can think of). The MINI does well against the barrier, because it carries much less mass than a truck, so there is less energy to dissipate.

However, the offset frontal crash is designed to simulate two cars colliding after one crosses into the opposing lane. In that scenario, the MINI has to dissipate the energy of it's own mass decelerating, as well as take on some of the truck's momentum. It wouldn't be pretty. That's why they say you can only compare the results of this test between vehicles in the same weight class.

 

Aren't the majority of crashes single car? I had thought I heard that awhile back somewhere.

>>
>>>>Secondly, as for comparing. Check out the driver compartment in both. Autos are considered more safe if the area surrounding the driver stays intact while the rest crumples. Go ahead take another look at the photos of each in the two links. Seriously, which vehicle F-150 or MINI would you like to be in?
>>>>
>>
>>Point taken. If I have to run into a wall, I'd much rather be in my MINI than an F-150 (of course that's true in almost any situation I can think of). The MINI does well against the barrier, because it carries much less mass than a truck, so there is less energy to dissipate.
>>
>>However, the offset frontal crash is designed to simulate two cars colliding after one crosses into the opposing lane. In that scenario, the MINI has to dissipate the energy of it's own mass decelerating, as well as take on some of the truck's momentum. It wouldn't be pretty. That's why they say you can only compare the results of this test between vehicles in the same weight class.