Munich - Occupants of small mini cars such as the Fiat 500 have hardly any chance of surviving a head-on collision with a big Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), according to Germany's automobile association ADAC. Summing up the results of a crash test conducted with an Audi Q7 and the new Fiat 500, the ADAC pointed out that even a small car with an above average safety standard stood no chance in a crash with an SUV.
Although the safety cell of the Fiat 500 has been classified as one of the best in its class, it could not withstand the sheer mass of the SUV with the main supporting strut of the Q7 boring itself into the safety cell of the Fiat, the test showed.
Even children sitting on the rear seat of the Fiat were vulnerable in an accident while the risk of injury for the occupants of the SUV was lower.
The ADAC emphasized that SUV manufacturers were doing too little for so-called "partner protection" as the front structures are constructed in such a way that the two side members did not support each other in a crash.
The problem could be found in many SUVs and recommended the cars be constructed in such a way that the energy built up in a crash is deflected less forcefully.
