crash Archives | Page 3 of 4

2011 Kia Optima receives five-star NHTSA crash rating

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Safety, Crossover, Kia, Mini

2011 Kia Optima – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Kia Optima set the mark as the first Korean-built car to be officially five-star certified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The all-new Optima recieved five-star ratings in the frontal, side-impact and rollover tests.

The Optima sports six airbags, active front headrests, side-impact door bars and height adjustable three-point seat belts for each seat. This five-star rating is indeed something worthy of bragging rights, as NHTSA imposed significantly stricter testing standards for 2011 models. Follow the jump for Kia’s press release.

Gallery: 2011 Kia Optima 2.0T: First Drive

2011 Kia Optima 2.0T

[Source: Kia]

Continue reading 2011 Kia Optima receives five-star NHTSA crash rating

2011 Kia Optima receives five-star NHTSA crash rating originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “2011 Kia Optima receives five-star NHTSA crash rating”

How Mulally put the Ford Explorer on a crash diet

Filed under: SUV, Etc., Technology, Crossover, Ford

2011 Ford Explorer

2011 Ford Explorer – Click above for high-res image gallery

According to Bloomberg, the Ford Explorer can thank Alan Mulally for its stay of execution. When the former Boeing executive took the helm at FoMoCo, the powers that be urged him to make a decision on the then-ancient SUV. Mulally said that the nameplate could live on, but only if the company’s engineers could find a way to seriously cut weight and increase fuel economy at the same time. The new vehicle was not only able to meet those demands, but was able to offer a larger package with much of the same off-road ability as well.

That meant sacrificing the body-on-frame blue print for a unibody design and exploring alternative engine solutions – engines like the upcoming Ecoboost four-cylinder. In the end, the Blue Oval boys were able to shed 100 pounds off the platform.

Ford has since interpreted that same quest for svelteness into a company-wide strategy, and Bloomberg says that the Dearborn automaker is now on par with automakers like BMW when it comes down to aggressively stripping weight from a vehicle. You can read the full story on how Mulally’s obsession with reducing weight changed Ford for the better here. Thanks for the tip, Andrew!

Gallery: 2011 Ford Explorer: First Drive

2011 Ford Explorer

[Source: Bloomberg]

How Mulally put the Ford Explorer on a crash diet originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “How Mulally put the Ford Explorer on a crash diet”

Autoblog Podcast #216: Superbowl ads, Kubica crash and Honda NSX with Dave Kiley

Filed under: Motorsports, Podcasts, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Rumormill

Autoblog podcast logo

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Autoblog Podcast #216 is a retrospective of Superbowl Ads, rumination on the Kubica crash (yes, we know we mispronounced his name) and rumors of restarted effort on Honda’s new supercar, picking up where the NSX left off. Chris and Dan are joined by Chris Paukert and AOL Autos/Autoblog contributor David Kiley for the hour and nineteen minute extravaganza. We wrap with your questions and comments, as always, and we’ll see you next week. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #216: Superbowl ads, Kubica crash and Honda NSX with Dave Kiley

Superbowl Car Commercials
Kubica Crash
NSX Development Restarted

In the Autoblog Garage:

2011 Honda Accord Special Edition
2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser
2011 Toyota Camry

Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Chris Paukert

Runtime: 01:19:05

Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)

Review the show in iTunes and take our survey

Autoblog Podcast #216: Superbowl ads, Kubica crash and Honda NSX with Dave Kiley originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Autoblog Podcast #216: Superbowl ads, Kubica crash and Honda NSX with Dave Kiley”

Robert Kubica medevac’d from crash at Ronde di Andora Rally [Updated]

Filed under: Motorsports, Lotus, Renault, Skoda

Robert Kubica

Formula One teams take a huge risk when they let one of their star drivers contest other forms of motorsport during the offseason. Never mind questions of focus: crashes happen all the time in every motorsport discipline, and one false step can have disastrous consequences for both driver and team.

Renault, however, has long permitted Robert Kubica to have his run at rallying on the side. Not unlike Kimi Raikkonen, Kubica has been proving himself a competent rally driver, but his skills didn’t prevent him from suffering a high-speed crash today at the Ronde di Andora rally. This was the first time Kubica – fresh from topping the time sheets in the third F1 test session at Valencia – was driving a top-spec Super 2000 rally car, in this case a Skoda Fabia, which he crashed during the opening stage.

The Polish driver was airlifted to a local hospital, and though sources confirm that he remained conscious throughout, reports of multiple broken bones are circulating. This close to the opening of the 2011 F1 campaign, observers can’t help but wonder what will happen if Kubica isn’t well enough to start the season. Fortunately for the team, they’ve lined up a full roster of reserve drivers, including Bruno Senna, who is tipped as the top among them.

Of course we wish Kubica – who bounced back well from his spectacular crash at the 2007 Canadian Grand Prix – a full and (characteristically) speedy recovery, and hope to see him back at the wheel in full health in short order. Follow the jump for the brief statement from Renault, and watch this space for more.

UPDATE: Lotus Renault GP reports that Kubica is undergoing surgery for multiple fractures to his right hand, arm and leg. Updated statement posted after the jump.

[Sources: Renault, Autosport]

Continue reading Robert Kubica medevac’d from crash at Ronde di Andora Rally [Updated]

Robert Kubica medevac’d from crash at Ronde di Andora Rally [Updated] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Feb 2011 07:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Robert Kubica medevac’d from crash at Ronde di Andora Rally [Updated]”

2011 Honda Odyssey earns five-star crash safety rating

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Government/Legal, Safety, Honda

2011 Honda Odyssey – Click above for high-res image gallery

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s new testing methodology has proven to be remarkably tougher than its old tests. In the past NHTSA gave out five-star ratings like they were “massage” pamphlets on the Vegas strip, but the new regulations have led to only 11 five-star Overall Vehicle Scores out of 50 vehicles. So with that in mind it’s big news for Honda that the all-new 2011 Odyssey has earned an overall five-star rating for all three crash tests, test category and overall. In fact, the Odyssey’s only four-star score came in rollover testing. Honda points to its new Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure as a reason the Odyssey fared so well in NHTSA testing. ACE evenly distributes crash energy throughout the front end of the vehicle, making front-end collisions less dangerous for passengers.

The Odyssey’s big win from NHTSA comes after the popular minivan managed the top score of “Good” from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Odyssey isn’t yet eligible for the Top Safety Pick designation since it hasn’t been tested for roof strength. Hit the jump to read over the Honda press release.

Gallery: 2011 Honda Odyssey: Review

2011 Honda Odyssey

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading 2011 Honda Odyssey earns five-star crash safety rating

2011 Honda Odyssey earns five-star crash safety rating originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “2011 Honda Odyssey earns five-star crash safety rating”

IIHS uses NHTSA data to show its crash test results are right on

Filed under: Safety, Chevrolet, Dodge, Hyundai

Jeep Wrangler Side Impact IIHS

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has been testing side-impact crashes since 2003. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been collecting traffic fatality information a lot longer than that. Yet it took until 2011 for IIHS to compare its considerable crash data against NHTSA’s crash mortality data.

As a result, IIHS can now underscore the importance of its crash test scores with credible outside data. Bloomberg reports that the Institute found that drivers of vehicles with an IIHS rating of “Good” for side-impact crashes were 70 percent less likely to die in an accident. That’s the exact type of statistic that can sway shoppers’ purchasing decisions. Further bolstering IIHS’s findings is this nugget: 27 percent of all fatal accidents involved a side-impact collision. For 2011, the Hyundai Accent, two-door Jeep Wrangler and Chevy Colorado all receive “Poor” side impact ratings.

Meanwhile, NHTSA will further regulate vehicle standards beginning in 2018 to include more protection against side impacts as well as occupant ejection in the event of a rollover. Stronger side glass and side-impact airbags are among the available solutions.

[Source: Bloomberg]

IIHS uses NHTSA data to show its crash test results are right on originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 22 Jan 2011 14:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “IIHS uses NHTSA data to show its crash test results are right on”

First pickups tested using NHTSA’s new crash testing system

Filed under: Truck, Government/Legal, Safety, Chevrolet, Dodge, GM, GMC, Toyota

2011 Dodge Ram crash test

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rolled in the first batch of pickup trucks to be tested using its latest Five-Star New Car Assessment Program. Three trucks were tested: the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (this truck’s scores were also applied to the nearly identical GMC Sierra 1500), 2011 Ram 1500 and Toyota Tacoma.

Of the trucks tested, the pair from General Motors recorded the best scores, earning a Combined score of four stars. The 2011 Tacoma also managed a Combined score of four stars, but performed significantly worse than the GM trucks in NHTSA’s front crash testing, taking home just two stars for the passenger.

Bringing up the rear in this round of testing is the Ram 1500 (non-Heavy Duty). While Chrysler’s full-size pickup managed a Combined rating of three stars, it floundered in the agency’s tough new pole test with just one star being awarded. Check out PickupTrucks.com for more analysis on the results, and search NHTSA’s full 2011-model-year crash testing database here.

[Source: NHTSA via PickupTrucks.com]

First pickups tested using NHTSA’s new crash testing system originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Nov 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “First pickups tested using NHTSA’s new crash testing system”

Camry crash in Utah puts attention back on Toyota recalls

Filed under: Sedan, Safety, Toyota

Crashed Toyota Camry

Paul Vanalfen’s crashed Toyota Camry – Click above for high-res image gallery

A new incident involving a 2008 Toyota Camry is raising concerns about unintended acceleration once again. On November 5, 66-year-old Paul Vanalfen was exiting Interstate 80 in Utah when his vehicle drove through a stop sign and struck a rock embankment, killing Vanalfen and his son’s 38 year-old fiance Charlene Lloyd at the same time. Vanalfen’s son and wife were also injured in the accident. Early reports indicate that the Camry may have continued to accelerate, even as Vanalfen did his best to stop the vehicle. Skid marks at the scene indicate that this isn’t a case of pedal misapplication, leaving investigators to conclude that a malfunction may have caused the incident.

Vanalfen’s Camry was the subject of a total of three recalls, and at this point, it’s unclear whether or not the Toyota had undergone the repairs.

Toyota, meanwhile, says that it’s too early to draw any conclusions about the cause of the incident, and that it’s assisting Utah Highway Patrol investigators any way it can. Click past the jump to read the company’s statement.

Gallery: Paul Vanalfen’s crashed Toyota Camry

Paul Vanalfen's crashed Toyota Camry

[Sources: AP via MSNBC, Toyota | Image: AP/Utah Highway Patrol]

Continue reading Camry crash in Utah puts attention back on Toyota recalls

Camry crash in Utah puts attention back on Toyota recalls originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Camry crash in Utah puts attention back on Toyota recalls”

Video: Opening lap crash at 2010 Bathurst race

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Australia, Racing

Fabien Coulthard Bathurst 1000 Crash

Fabien Coulthard crashes out of the Bathurst 1000 – Click above to watch video after the jump

The Australian Supercar Bathurst 1000 has grown a reputation for being an all-out slugfest between two camps: those loyal to the Holden banner and those who eat, sleep and breathe Ford blue. While the racers are knocking fenders on track, spectators are typically knocking back beers by the truckload and locking horns to defend their respective brands. In all, the event makes Daytona look like a kiddie carnival ride. This past weekend’s Bathurst got off on a scary foot with a spectacular single-car accident in the first lap.

Judging from this YouTube video, it looks like Fabien Coulthard, who started in the 21st position on the grid, blew the left rear tire on his Holden Commodore. The resulting loss of control sent the driver off track, and his touring car hit a sand trap sideways at considerable speed. The result was the kind of pirouetting explosion of sheetmetal that we haven’t seen for a good while. Thankfully, Coulthard was able to hop out of the remains of his racer and give the crowd a hearty thumbs-up. Hit the jump to see the action for yourself. Thanks to everyone for the tips.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Opening lap crash at 2010 Bathurst race

Video: Opening lap crash at 2010 Bathurst race originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Oct 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Video: Opening lap crash at 2010 Bathurst race”

LaHood releases 2009 distracted driving crash figures ahead of summit

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety

Transportation Seceratary Ray La Hood

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has released his department’s findings on the impact of distracted driving on highway safety in 2009, and according to research conducted by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, 5,474 people died due to distracted driving last year, with another 448,000 people injured. Those are big numbers, and NHTSA says the number of people killed due to distracted driving marks a total of 16 percent of all traffic fatalities last year. In 2005, the deaths were just 10 percent of the total figure. Even as high as those numbers are, La Hood warns that they may misrepresent the severity of the problem.

NHTSA says that not all law enforcement agencies are trained to recognize when an accident is caused by distracted driving, and as a result, the actual figures may be much higher than what’s been reported.

LaHood is hosting a distracted driving summit in Washington, D.C. aimed at increasing awareness about the problem nationally. Hit the jump for a look at the press release.

[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading LaHood releases 2009 distracted driving crash figures ahead of summit

LaHood releases 2009 distracted driving crash figures ahead of summit originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “LaHood releases 2009 distracted driving crash figures ahead of summit”