April 26, 2011
Chevrolet Volt & Nissan Leaf earn top ratings in 1st U.S. crash tests of mainstream electric cars
40 mph frontal offset test: 2011 Chevrolet Volt — GOOD
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Pre-crash studio shot 1/25/11 |
Action shot taken during the frontal offset crash test 2/1/11 |
The dummy's position in relation to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained very well. 2/1/11 |
Smeared greasepaint indicates where the dummy's head contacted the side curtain airbag during rebound. 2/1/11 |
Intrusion into the driver's space was minimal, and all leg and foot injury measures were low. 2/1/11 |
31 mph side impact test representing a strike from a pickup or SUV: 2011 Chevrolet Volt — GOOD
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Pre-crash studio shot 1/25/11 |
Action shot taken during the side impact crash test 2/3/11 |
View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment 2/3/11 |
Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side airbags. 2/3/11 |
Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy's head was protected by the side airbag. 2/3/11 |
40 mph frontal offset test: 2011 Nissan Leaf — GOOD
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Pre-crash studio shot 2/22/11 |
Action shot taken during the frontal offset crash test 3/1/11 |
The dummy's position in relation to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained very well. 3/1/11 |
Smeared greasepaint indicates where the dummy's head contacted the side curtain airbag during rebound. 3/1/11 |
Intrusion into the driver's space was minimal, and all leg and foot injury measures were low. 3/1/11 |
31 mph side impact test representing a strike from a pickup or SUV: 2011 Nissan Leaf — GOOD
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Pre-crash studio shot 2/22/11 |
Action shot taken during the side impact crash test 3/3/11 |
View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment 3/3/11 |
Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side curtain airbag. 3/3/11 |
Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy's head was protected by the side airbag. 3/3/11 |
Rollover/roof strength test:
In the Institute's roof strength test, a metal plate is pushed against 1 side of a roof at a constant speed. To earn a good rating, the roof must withstand a force of 4 times the vehicle's weight before reaching 5 inches of crush.
2011 Chevrolet Volt rating for roof strength in rollover crashes — GOOD
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Vehicle Research Center roof crush machine: 2011 Chevrolet Volt pre-test 2/2/11 |
2011 Nissan Leaf rating for roof strength in rollover crashes — GOOD
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Vehicle Research Center roof crush machine: 2011 Nissan Leaf pre-test 3/2/11 |
