Daniel and others: allow me some uneducated guessing here. Would another
possible reason for the difference be the nature of the tests and the vw's
lack of crush space? The volvo vs. vanagon test was an offset test. The vw
did pretty good too, although I'd really like to see how the lower corner
looked afterwards. Anyhow, perhaps one reason the vw did so well is its
front is very "hard" which allowed it to plow into the volvo. The "injury
numbers" were good because the volvo cushioned the blow, allowing it to stop
more slowly. The US tests by driving the vehicle into a wall, no offset,
full contact. Because the front is so hard, there was no cushion, just the
frame hitting the wall. This would make a much more sudden stop, and the
occupants would get a get stopped just as quickly. Not good for injury
numbers. VW says there are crush zones on the vanagon, but they can't be
more than a couple inches here and there, not like the volvo which has the
luxury of a hood and motor in the front.

Again, crush zones can make a difference, but I'll drive my vw before I'd
drive a lot (a LOT) of other cars.

Steve
'85 westy
kent, wa

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf Of
Dan Snow
Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2002 10:21 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Vgon Crash Tests

So I was looking at crashtest.com the other day. According to the US
government, the Vanagon earns the worst possible rating for head-on
collision safety. According to the Swedish insurance company that provided
those cool pictures of the Vanagon vs. Volvo crash-test, the Vanagon has the
very best crash safety rating. Right up there with 600SEL Mercedes and Volvo
M1A2 tanks. I guess I'll choose to believe the Swedes, if only cause it
makes me feel better. Maybe it's all the extra insulation and soundproofing
they put in Swedish Vanagons...

Daniel Snow
'82 Diesel Vanagon

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