Convertibles are under the spotlight in roll test. //
German motoring group ADAC has discovered some cabrio convertibles have minimal real-world rollover protection.
ADAC results released last week demonstrate the effectiveness of various rollover systems in three cars: the Peugeot 207 CC, Mini Cooper and Citroen C3 Pluriel.
All three were subjected to a 50km/h rollover off a specially designed sled with four crash-test dummies belted into each car.
The cars were chosen because all had different degrees of protection and were representative of the type of protection available in other cabrio-convertibles.
The Peugeot 207CC has an active rollover system and the Mini a passive one. ADAC describes the Pluriel as being “without significant rollover protection”.
Of the three, the 207 performed best, but rolled twice. The Pluriel and Mini each rolled four times.
ADAC found that all three cars had too much slack in their seatbelts to hold occupants properly in a rollover.
The Peugeot's standard seatbelt pre-tensioners did manage to hold front-seat occupants more securely.
ADAC says there is a risk of head injuries to people in the Mini Cooper because of the “unfavourable geometry” of the seatbelts, and the built-in passive roll bars behind the rear seats are good only for people shorter than 175cm. However, the car rated as “satisfactory” in the test.
The Pluriel rated “poor”, despite meeting German TUV standard rollover criteria and achieving a four-star EuroNCAP crash score.
With its roof completely open, the Pluriel fared worst. ADAC says the A-pillars collapsed, seatbelt positioning was poor and the roll bars were inadequate to protect all but the shortest of occupants.
In the Peugeot, the automatic rollbar behind the rear seats deployed and gave the rear passengers better protection. But the front A-pillar showed significant deformation under load and subsequently provided less protection for front passengers.
The Mini had the best results for A-pillar strength.
In an effort to improve occupant safety, ADAC has asked carmakers for stronger A-pillars, better seatbelt design and increased survival space through higher rollbars.
It also suggested electronic stability control could reduce the incidence of rollovers, thereby avoiding the problem altogether.
Electronic stability control has been mandated for all cars in Europe.
ADAC has 15 million members in Germany. It has previously tested the Mazda MX5, Opel Astra convertible and Volkswagen Beetle convertible.
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Ex Opel Owner: 2006 Opel Tigra Twin Top
Those active bars have always seemed like a good idea, but never seemed to pop out high enough, like, you almost assume in a multiple roll over that the a-pillars will collapse, so you want the bars at the back to be well and truly high enough to give a good angle if this happens...atm, seems they don't...So don't roll it miles
Simple solution to this problem: Avoid getting into a situation where you might end up on your lid!
In these extreme roll-overs, I'd be surprised if even occupants in a standard sedan/hatch would be much better off . . . they'd probably avoid a bit of gravel rash, but still wouldn't be a pleasant experience.
Hope I never have to find out how good the A pillars, roll bars and seat belts look after me in this situation.
Old enough to know better . . . Too old to care!
if your short i guess ur ok
2013 Ford Focus ST
Calibra - The only car that will institutionalise you and send you broke in the mean time
yeah pete, we'd be screwed..
what a barina looks like after a roll over on the way to wisemans ferry
and it was an opelaus member... when and who?
*BTM* Opel Astra SRi 2.2L
"As a final incentive before giving up on a difficult task, try to imagine it successfully accomplished by someone you violently dislike"Originally Posted by glider
K. Zenios
LOL surprise, surprise...
Who would ever consider a soft top vert to be as safe as a full metal roof car in such a circumstance or predicament in the 1st place ??? roll over bars or not
It's one of the cons to a soft top vert, but only until recently that's all there was if you wanted a vert !!!
Adding to what Ian's already pointed out, you'd have to be either very unlucky, or driving like a total jerk to end up in a car roll over accident !
Hard top verts are definitely the way to go and truly embody the whole reason of existance for the convertible, ie: to possess two cars in one, but, there's also a magic allure to soft tops if your a fan of convertibles
My rides: 2004 Opel/Bertone TS Astra turbo convertible - 2012 Mercedes Benz C204 C Class coupe
Others: 2009 Honda City VTiL sedan - 2015 Fiat 500
Haha id like to know the same thing
this was back from 2004, none of you noobs would know him, i think mr c would be the only one other than me who was there....
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