SMALL OVERLAP

"ScootScoot" (ScootScoot)
10/03/2013 at 13:57 • Filed to: None

First up is the 2013 Mercedes C Class. Pretty typical, no crazy spinning air bag and the dummy keeps it's head on. Booo!! More carnage!

Next up is the 2014 Toyota Corolla. Meh. It's all very beige. It gets a Marginal but I'm guessing that most of the damage is in the foot well. At least it's one less new Corolla prowling the streets.

Last up is the 2014 Kia Forte. Now this is more like it. The steering column and the air bag are both working against you. Say goodbye to your beautiful face.

DISCUSSION (22)

Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents > ScootScoot
10/03/2013 at 14:07

The head completely misses the airbag in the Kia and hits bang on centre in the Merc. German engineering is quite neat.

dropthatclutch > ScootScoot
10/03/2013 at 14:14

I would think that they would chose a color other than red. Like, truly, any other color.

desertdog5051 > ScootScoot
10/03/2013 at 14:32

That Kia is worthless.

Telumektar > ScootScoot
10/03/2013 at 14:44

Small-overlap test is quite the killer for most old-ish platforms, the new ones have some more reinforcements and new pieces that absorb the damage but well... what happened to that Forte?! It looked like it had nothing between the bumper and the foot well. The A-pillar took most of the impact all by itself (the result isn't thaaaat bad considering this)

And that Airbag action..
- Here comes the airbaaaag!
*airbag deploys and is promptly moved out of the way as the front driver-side collapses*
- Ha! Taste some dashboard human!

That could be one bad impact for a real person.

Anima > Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents
10/03/2013 at 15:43

It almost looks comfortable in the slo mo.

ScootScoot > desertdog5051
10/03/2013 at 19:13

Right? It's shocking that it's a new car. Notice how the side curtain hits the top of the drivers seat, leaving all sorts of room for intrusion. Yuck.

nrj > Telumektar
10/03/2013 at 23:04

The Mercedes platform has been around for 6+ years now, which makes its crash performance seem pretty remarkable.

Telumektar > nrj
10/04/2013 at 00:07

But it is a Mercedes-Benz, they are known for being an industry-leader in terms of car safety.

kommy > ScootScoot
10/04/2013 at 13:14

My question is, where do they get these marvelous perfectly painted walls they keep ramming cars into. I mean, who is painting them after every crash?!

pfftballer > Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents
10/04/2013 at 14:19

Yeah that Kia airbag should've been red like a Matador's flag the way it dodged that dummy's head.

Steven Phillips Photography > ScootScoot
10/04/2013 at 14:23

Is that faux blood in the kia?

three_pedals > ScootScoot
10/04/2013 at 14:25

Look at the top down view of both the Corolla and the Kia. Notice that the batteries both come out the nose. In the Toyota, it kinds of pops out late in the event, but in the Kia it looks like a damn projectile... Ouch!

kayldera > Steven Phillips Photography
10/04/2013 at 15:33

It's dye so that they can see where the dummy impacted.

syaieya > ScootScoot
10/04/2013 at 15:35

I still dont see why it isn't an option for manufacturers to forego all this airbag nonsense and just install a 4 point safety harness seat. there's no fear of eating the A pillar when you're strapped in like that.

syaieya > nrj
10/04/2013 at 15:40

Actually they're just really good at adapting.

ScootScoot > syaieya
10/04/2013 at 17:40

There it is, you said it. I have thought about that for years. I still want airbags.

ScootScoot > three_pedals
10/04/2013 at 17:42

Ya, it took me a few views to notice the Corolla barfing up it's battery.

NavyBum > kommy
10/04/2013 at 18:23

Glad I wasn't the only one thinking that!

"Stop crashing cars into my damn wall!! I JUST painted that!!"

yamanote > ScootScoot
10/04/2013 at 21:26

Note that both the C-Class and Corolla got a Marginal rating for the small overlap test.

Interestingly, the 2013 C-Class fared better than the 2012 (which scored Poor in the small overlap)- anyone remember Mercedes' response to the IIHS test which essentially said that the test was an inaccurate representation of real-life crashes? I wonder if they actually changed something for the 2013 model year- if not, it just goes to show that these tests aren't quite as controlled as they seem to be.

syaieya > ScootScoot
10/04/2013 at 21:44

I mean i like the concept of the side curtain airbags. Keep you from having debris breach the cabin. But I set myself up not ever need to get that close to the dash so the wheel airbags are just explosives in my mind.

Whirling Dervish > syaieya
10/05/2013 at 00:44

There would need to be a serious roll bar/cage in the car to allow the use of the 4- or 5-point harness. Your head & shoulders have nowhere to go in the event the roof suddenly gets lowered by 5-15", whereas, at least there's a chance of some sideways movement with a 3-point.

Next, comes trying to explain to your mom that she won't be able to reach the radio, the glove box or her high heels while strapped in. Or telling your wife she can't give the baby her rattle back until we get completely stopped & I help you out of your harness. Being locked in is the ultimate in safety strapping, provided the complimentary systems are in place, too, but in the Real World, where you have to reach out the window to get a parking garage stub or a cheeseburger, it's just not practical.

Sure, we should all treat these things like rally cars or space shuttles, but that's a tough sell. Leave it up to Mercedes to figure out how we can stay safe & stay on the phone while eating a latte & smoking our lipstick.

syaieya > Whirling Dervish
10/05/2013 at 02:16

That's why I say option. For cars that it would be appropriate for and even then allow them to have both setups. Car companies go through so much to get these superlight specials out and then they're still bound by the laws that are really only holding them back both in safety and weight. I'll admit, it's not practical for everything. And I have yet to see a comfortable 4 point safety harness for long trips.

For me, it could work. But I am not with child, my radio is at my fingertips, i dont do the drivethrough thing but once in a blue moon, and I can't remember the last time I parked in an area that required a stub. But i am definitely not one of the masses.