IIHS Rates Smart in Crash Tests

Smart’s diminutive fortwo has received its final grade in the IIHS’
front offset and side-impact crash tests, and the verdict is “Good”.

During
the frontal test, in which the smart car meets a deformable barrier at 40 mph, it received an overall rating of “Good”; its Tridion
safety cell absorbed the impact, and the vehicle’ structure remained
intact. “Good”, incidentally, is the highest rating possible.

With regards to its side-impact
score, the fortwo also received the “Good” rating for protecting its
occupants, although one door became unlatched during the test, similar
to what occurred in the NHTSA side impact test. Although this had no
effect on the dummy’s movements, it meant that for the category of
“Structure”, the fortwo’s side impact collision is rated “Acceptable”
rather than “Good”. Surely, in the coming weeks modifications will be
made, and the smart should improve its rating.

Adrian
Lund, the IIHS’ president says, “All things being equal in safety,
bigger and heavier is always better. But among the smallest cars, the
engineers of the Smart did their homework and designed a high level of
safety into a very small package.”

The IIHS also gave the fortwo an
“Acceptable” rating for protection in rear-end collisions thanks to its
anti-whiplash seats.

While it may be true
that the fortwo’s crash test ratings only apply to vehicles of a
similar size and weight, and that there isn’t any other mass-produced
vehicle sold in North America that comes close to matching it, its results are
nevertheless good news for smart, which has faced an uphill
battle with regulators since its launch this year in the United States.