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New Crash Test Reveals A Deadly Flaw In Many Luxury Cars
Today's luxury cars are marketed as fuel efficient and chock full of new technologies that will keep drivers safe on the road.
But a new kind of crash test reveals a deadly flaw in some of the most popular cars on the market. The results will make potential Lexus, VW, and Mercedes-Benz buyers think twice before signing.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently introduced the "small overlap frontal crash test," in which part of the front of the car hits a rigid barrier at 40 mph. This sort of collision bypasses the most solid part of the steel frame, and can push aside the steering wheel, so the deployed airbag misses the driver's head.
While the results reveal a flaw in many current luxury cars, they also highlight the growing battle between fuel efficiency and safety, the Wall Street Journal points out. Efficiency is the order of the day, and one easy way to increase mileage is to make lighter cars. But lighter cars, even if equipped with crash avoidance technology, tend to fare poorly in crash tests.
IIHS President Adrian Lund puts it simply: "If you ship a fragile item in a strong box, it's more likely to arrive at its destination without breaking." One solution is lightweight, high-strength steel. Yet even that poses a problem. In the event of a crash, the steel is tough for emergency responders to cut or bend, so trapped victims are difficult to free, USA Today reports.
Now take a look at the eight most dangerous luxury cars you can buy >
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