General DiscussionUse this forum to discuss MINI topics which are not related to other forums. Posts may be moved from here to alternative forums by the moderators without notice
It's the bonnet leading edge and the wings that let down the pedestrian rating.... the actual main surface of the bonnet does very well (see attachment).... Unfortunately the only way to avoid the leading edge issue is to retract rearwards the bonnet and fit a soft leading edge (a la Renualt Megane Hatch) - not really possible to do this and keep the MINIs design.
From a safety point of view it's undeniably an improvement on the original design, though I like their PR boast that "The overall test score achieved puts the MINI only just behind other larger, recently launched superminis such as the Peugeot 207, Renault Clio, Toyota Yaris and Fiat Punto" Interesting slant on coming last there
However, BMW were recently publicised as criticising Euro NCAP for the way it was encouraging designers to create passenger safety cells that only just start to collapse in 40mph offset crashes. They said that this was used in order to create artificially high Euro NCAP scores in this test. The theory being that the partial collapse of the passenger cell is used to minimise the shock to the dummy at 40mph or less, at the expense of collapsing safety cells in higher speed accidents
BMW were reported to be unhappy, as they felt that this is why the new 5 Series received an artificially low score of only 4 for their front impact test.
"High loads were recorded by the driver dummy’s chest instrumentation in the frontal impact."
Note how the structure of the drivers door aperture is starting to collapse in the 40mph offset crash in the MINI, especially when you check the line of the gutter; just as BMW criticised others for doing
Hmmmm...
Tigger.
PS: Interested to see that the side vents on the R56 are blanks.
Euro NCAP specifically state that the results only apply to the exact model tested on the grounds that specifications (such as number of airbags and other safety accessories may vary). But, in the case of the MINI, the various R56 models are so similar that it's a pretty fair assumption that the results for each version would be about the same.
Will we see changes to the bumper in a facelift then? Are we going to start to loose the look of the Mini soon because of legislation as it seems the wings are of concern in the test aw well as the bumper.
Well from looking at several sets of results, its clear the R56 is a clear improvement over the R50 in terms of occupant protection. The results perhaps aren't quite as good as MINI will have hoped though?
When you look at cars like the Punto which are similar in size, and built to a much tighter budget, the MINI gets out-performed.
The Punto, Corsa et al are now noticeably bigger with much longer noses than the MINI and I think the problem in really small cars is finding enough space so the knees / legs aren't injured, which is where the MINI was marked down slightly, but it's the smallest car with 5 stars.
If you look at the R50 crash test pictures the roof is buckled in a very similar fashion to that on the R56. So if true it isn't a new policy - and though I'm not a safety engineer, all the anecdotal evidence from this site suggests the R50/R53 was one safe little car. I don't think there's anything to worry about.
You'll find that the test although its not true to life in the eyes of the consumer, it is however as close to the average most common impact that a vehicle will experience, well as much as it is possible to recreate in a lab.
Oh and the reason that the results are out after the car are probably due to the late submission of the vehicle combined with huge length of time it takes to get certification from TRL.
According to the website, the 40mph barrier test simulates two identical cars hitting each other at 30mph - which means you have to take out another MINI to replicate it
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