WASHINGTON, D.C. — The federal government said it spotted a "safety concern" in its recent crash test of the 2008 Smart Fortwo, one that may worry U.S. consumers attracted to the fuel-efficient microcar.
"During the side-impact test, the driver door unlatched and opened," reported the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on the Safercar Web site. "A door opening during a side-impact crash increases the likelihood of occupant ejection."
However, the Fortwo still earned a top score of five stars in side testing, the top rating given by the U.S. government.
In other NHTSA tests, the 8-foot, 8-inch Fortwo got four out of five stars in the front-end crash on the driver side. On the passenger side, it earned only three out of five stars, which the NHTSA said means the passenger would face a 21-35 percent chance of serious injury. In rollovers, the Fortwo received three out of five stars and was said to have a 21 percent risk of rollover.
The round of testing for the Smart Fortwo, which weighs just 1,800 pounds, is only beginning. Later this month, more crash test results are expected from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Smart Fortwo gets 33 mpg in city driving and 41 mpg on the highway.
What this means to you: You may be saving at the pump with the Fortwo, but the feds want you to be aware of a potential safety implication. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
"During the side-impact test, the driver door unlatched and opened," reported the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on the Safercar Web site. "A door opening during a side-impact crash increases the likelihood of occupant ejection."
However, the Fortwo still earned a top score of five stars in side testing, the top rating given by the U.S. government.
In other NHTSA tests, the 8-foot, 8-inch Fortwo got four out of five stars in the front-end crash on the driver side. On the passenger side, it earned only three out of five stars, which the NHTSA said means the passenger would face a 21-35 percent chance of serious injury. In rollovers, the Fortwo received three out of five stars and was said to have a 21 percent risk of rollover.
The round of testing for the Smart Fortwo, which weighs just 1,800 pounds, is only beginning. Later this month, more crash test results are expected from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Smart Fortwo gets 33 mpg in city driving and 41 mpg on the highway.
What this means to you: You may be saving at the pump with the Fortwo, but the feds want you to be aware of a potential safety implication. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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