34 replies to this topic

[gaffer1986]

Does anyone know why the VX220 and Elise appear not to have been crash tested on Euro NCAP?

[Mani]

Because they have different parts and a different body?

[gaffer1986]

Neither of them have been tested. Is this not mandatory?

[techieboy]

It's voluntary. You'll be dead if you crash at over 5mph so pretty pointless to volunteer. Sell it.

[Mani]

Please ignore last post.

[gaffer1986]

I feel safer in the VX220 than a lot of cars with a roll over bar and solid chassis surrounding me.

[techieboy]

Testing is not mandatory, with vehicle models either being independently chosen by Euro NCAP or voluntarily tested by the manufacturers.[9] In Europe, new cars are certified as legal for sale under the Whole Vehicle Type Approval regimen that differs from Euro NCAP. According to Euro NCAP,[10] "The frontal and side impact crash tests used by Euro NCAP are based on those used in European legislation. However, much higher performance requirements are used by Euro NCAP. The frontal impact speed used by Euro NCAP is 64 km/h compared 56 km/h for legislation." Euro NCAP also states that "Legislation sets a minimum compulsory standard whilst Euro NCAP is concerned with best possible current practice. Progress with vehicle safety legislation can be slow, particularly as all EU Member States views have to be taken into account. Also, once in place, legislation provides no further incentive to improve, whereas Euro NCAP provides a continuing incentive by regularly enhancing its assessment procedures to stimulate further improvements in vehicle safety."

[gaffer1986]

I see, kinda of says what faith lotus have in their cars :L

[techieboy]

Small manufacturer. They've already had to have a few cars destroyed for the compulsory type approval certification, would you really want to supply another three or four for non-compulsory (where the tests are apparently more onerous) testing? Not sure anyone in the history of sports car buying has i) bothered to look at safety ratings and ii) been swayed one way or the other by the results. 0-60? Yes. NCAP rating? Nah.

[gaffer1986]

Not looked at safety ratings? I'm sure people have. Why bother wearing a helmet?

[techieboy]

Why bother wearing a helmet?

Because you have to?

[gaffer1986]

I care about my head. It's very important to me.

[techieboy]

You wear one in all of your cars then, wherever you are?

[gaffer1986]

I think it's very unlikely that I'll crash on the road if I'm honest. But I figure it's just a matter of time before I do on the track.

[techieboy]

Yet for every mile you drive on the road, you're probably a 10,000 times more likely to be involved in an accident (be it through your actions or somebody elses). A head on between two cars doing the NSL will hurt just as much (probably a lot more) as having a 100+mph "off" on a track somewhere and usually much less street furniture and trees to hit on track too. If a car is safe enough to be for sale by some litigation wary manufacturer, that's good enough for me. I'm not buying some soul destroying misery inducing MPV to ferry around 3.5 kids so I've no interest in anything more than that.

[Mangham54]

Put it this way... your most direct competitor is a Caterham Westfield etc and the difference in safety between your VX and one of them is considerable.

[KurtVerbose]

Many members here have crash tested VX's.

[mbes2]

Many members here have crash tested VX's.

I once tried but failed to hit anything in 2011 ...

[Baron Von Scubadaddy]

I crashed one once it was ok !!!

 

[siztenboots]

we have had a few fatalities , one last year in Belfast , one in Germany , the 2008 Windsor one and 2007 Yorkshire one that I can remember