How safe is your car? - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

Falchoon · 05-23-2002, 20:27

http://www.howsafeisyourcar.com.au/

Quote:

In Summary
The FORD FALCON AU II performed reasonably well in the offset crash test (score 11.07 out of 16). The passenger compartment held its shape well except for brake pedal movement and intrusion of the road wheel into the driver's footwell. Injury measurements indicated a low risk of injury to all body regions but there was a risk of foot and lower leg injury due to excessive brake pedal movement. The vehicle performed well in the side impact crash (score 13.13 out of 16). The Falcon was just 0.3 points short of earning a four star rating.

ANCAP Star Rating: The more stars the better.

24.20 out of 34

The passenger compartment held it shape very well in the offset crash test, except for the footwell and brake pedal. The road wheel pushed into the footwell which ruptured and, in places, was pushed rearwards 320mm. Despite this deformation the injury measurements on the dummy's lower legs were quite low. This may have been due to a tray-like insert under the carpet that is designed to isolate the feet from shock loads and deforming panels. The brake pedal moved rearwards by 280mm, ending up within 100mm of the seat. The dash moved 90mm towards the driver. The width of the driver's doorway shortened by 50mm. All doors remained closed during the crash. After the crash all doors could be opened with normal effort. Airbags cushioned the driver and passenger. Contact was stable for both. The driver's seat tilted forwards substantially. The ignition barrel was within the knee impact zone but was reasonably protected by the design of the steering column lower shroud.

The centre pillar and the side doors were pushed inwards moderately. After the crash Ford engineers pointed out that the centre pillar was designed to deform in a manner that minimized intrusion at chest level. The back of driver's head glanced the centre pillar then rebounded.

Dual front airbags are standard equipment. The front seat belt buckles are mounted on the seats and the upper anchorages are adjustable. These features improve the fit of the seat belt. Pretensioners are fitted to front seat belts to reduce slack in the event of a severe crash. The centre rear seat has a 3-point seat belt. Ford Australia has issued a consumer booklet "Caring 4 Kidz" that gives advice about selecting and fitting child restraints. Recommended child restraints are available from Ford dealers and fitting advice is provided.

Driver airbag S
Passenger airbag S
Driver side airbag X
Passenger side airbag X
Driver side curtain airbag X
Passenger side curtain airbag X
ABS brakes O

Legend: S=Standard for this model
O=Optional for this model
X=N/A for this model

The pedestrian impact test estimates injuries to pedestrians struck by a vehicle travelling at 40km/h.

Falchoon · 05-23-2002, 20:30

Quote:

In Summary
The HOLDEN COMMODORE VX performed marginally in the offset crash test (score 3.77 out of 16). The passenger compartment held it shape reasonably well but there was a moderate risk of serious head injury for the driver. Lower leg protection was poor for the driver. The vehicle performed better in the side impact crash (score 13.37 out of 16).

ANCAP Star Rating: The more stars the better.

17.14 out of 34

The passenger compartment held it shape reasonably well in the offset crash test. The front part of the driver's floor was pushed rearwards 150mm and was folded under the driver's foot. The brake pedal moved rearwards 140mm. The dash moved 80mm towards the driver. The roof buckled upwards slightly above the driver and the width of the driver's doorway shortened by 50mm. All doors remained closed during the crash. After the crash tools were required to open the driver?s door. The airbag started to cushion the head of the driver but the steering column suddenly moved upwards and contributed to the driver's forehead striking the steering wheel through the airbag. There was a moderate risk of serious head injury. During rebound the back of the driver's head hit the centre pillar. The passenger was well restrained but chest loads were high. The sharp, stiff steering column adjuster bracket poses a hazard to both knees of the driver.

The centre pillar and the side doors were pushed inwards substantially. The driver's seat was pushed sideways but the seat anchorages held. The back of the driver's head glanced the centre pillar. Rebound was well controlled. The vehicle was not eligible for a Pole Impact Test since it did not have head-protecting side airbags. This test can earn eligible vehicles an extra two points, giving a maximum possible overall score of 34 points.

A driver's airbag is standard equipment. A passenger front airbag is optional but was not fitted to the tested vehicles. Side airbags are standard on some variants and optional on others but were not fiited to the tested vehicles. The front seat belt buckles are mounted on the seats and the upper anchorages are adjustable. These features improve the fit of the seat belt. Pretensioners are fitted to front seat belts to reduce slack in the event of a severe crash. The centre rear seat has a 3-point seat belt. In a severe crash several emergency mode features are activated - fuel pump and engine are turned off, doors unlock and the dome light turns on.

Driver airbag S
Passenger airbag O
Driver side airbag X
Passenger side airbag X
Driver side curtain airbag X
Passenger side curtain airbag X
ABS brakes S

Legend: S=Standard for this model
O=Optional for this model
X=N/A for this model

Futura97 · 05-23-2002, 20:37

Makes me wonder why so many people buy crummydores. 3/16 as opposed to falcons 11/16. How can you ask for more proof that a falcon is safer/better car to drive??

I also checked out the site and it says that an EA, EB1 is safer than an EB2-EF. How can this be?? I thought cars would become safer as new models come out.

Troutman · 05-23-2002, 21:03

I can answer one of those questions. The EA is safer in terms of its drivers, rather than the car itself. They are fairly slow in 3 speed form, and are not hugely popular with enthusiasts.

The other day, I saw some guy hooning around in an AU III in the wet. ABS/airbags or not, you'd be much safer in a sensibly-driven EA.

Devil CV8 · 05-24-2002, 03:49

You have to wonder at the accuracy of that site, i just checked out the acclaim, amogst other commodores and appart from the year of the car changing the rest of the story is word for word... i wanted to see how the acclaim and SS went....... Not very good for a site to stuff up like that.