| | NHTSA Tests 2011 Chevy Volt For Crash Safety

NHTSA Tests 2011 Chevy Volt For Crash Safety

By Automotive Staff | June 06, 2011
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Put another in General Motors' cap. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has just published crash test results on GM's controversial Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle / hybrid / "range-extender" hatch. The Volt received a five-star rating from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. It also scored four out of five stars in frontal crash tests, and five out of five stars for side-impact and rollover testing. In the NCAP frontal test, cars are crashed into a fixed barrier at 35 mph; for the side-impact test, a 3015-pound barrier is crashed into the side of the test vehicle at 38.5 mph. An additional pole-impact test simulates a tree or telephone pole impacting the driver’s door at 20 mph. The Chevrolet Volt comes standard with electronic stability control and eight airbags. It was also rated a Top Safety Pick by the Institute for Highway Safety. Full press release can be found below.  The NCAP has yet to test the Nissan Leaf electric car. DETROIT – The 2011 Chevrolet Volt is the first electric vehicle to earn a five-star overall vehicle score for safety as part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s New Car Assessment Program. “Safety is a key consideration for all buyers no matter how a car is powered – gas, or in the case of the Volt, electricity,” said Doug Parks, Volt global vehicle line executive. The Volt also has been named a 2011 Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. For the first 35 miles, the Volt can drive gas- and tailpipe emissions-free using a full charge of electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery. When the Volt’s battery runs low, a gas-powered engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range another 344 miles on a full tank for a total driving range of 379 miles. Safety features on the Volt include:
  • GM’s StabiliTrak electronic stability control system
  • Front-, side- , knee- air bags as well as  roof-mounted head-curtain air bags that help protect occupants in a side or rollover crash
  • Optional rearview camera system featuring a display integrated into the navigation system screen
  • Five-year subscription to OnStar’s Directions and Connections Plan including Automatic Crash Response, stolen vehicle assistance and connected navigation
Starting with 2011 models, NHTSA introduced tougher tests and more rigorous requirements for its five-star safety ratings program that provide more comprehensive information about safety performance and crash-avoidance technologies. Changes include a new side pole test simulating a 20-mph side-impact crash into a 10-inch-diameter pole or tree at a 75-degree angle just behind the A-pillar on the driver’s side. About Chevrolet Founded in Detroit in 1911, Chevrolet celebrates its centennial as a global automotive brand with annual sales of about 4.25 million vehicles in more than 120 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. The Chevrolet portfolio includes iconic performance cars such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long-lasting pickups and SUVs such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers such as Spark, Cruze, Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers “gas-friendly to gas-free" solutions including Cruze Eco and Volt. Cruze Eco offers 42 mpg highway while Volt offers 35 miles of electric, gasoline-free driving and an additional 344 miles of extended range. Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com via General Motors / Chevrolet courtesy of Automobile Magazine Staff
 
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Vancouver Dodge
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It's good that a Hybrid vehicle like the Chevy volt does not compromise safety. This is a Win-Win car indeed -- you get on the good side of mother nature plus, its security is really a boon to environment-conscious car owners. Not to mention you have increase fuel efficiency capacity. And yes, like nick, I love the Chevy Volt too. :)

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