Saab 9-3 Convertible Receives Top EuroNCAP Safety Rating
30 Juni 2004 - 4:46PM
PR Newswire (US)
Saab 9-3 Convertible Receives Top EuroNCAP Safety Rating NORCROSS,
Ga., June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Saab's continuing role in vehicle
safety was again highlighted on June 24 when the 2004 Saab 9-3
Convertible received five stars, the highest rating possible in the
European New Car Assessment Program's (EuroNCAP) frontal and
side-impact crash tests. The Saab 9-3 Convertible joins the 2003
9-3 Sport Sedan and 2003 Saab 9-5 in achieving a maximum five-star
rating under the EuroNCAP collision test program, Europe's leading
crash-test agency. The 9-3 Convertible was developed alongside its
sedan sibling and despite its soft-top design, Saab engineers
adopted virtually the same crash safety performance targets for
both products. To help meet these targets, the Saab 9-3 convertible
incorporates pop-up roll bars along with substantial reinforcements
to the A-pillars, lower B-pillars, side sills, and the chassis
cross-members, including a completely new box structure behind the
rear seat. Although Saab welcomes EuroNCAP's independent findings,
its work in crash impact protection will continue to be based on a
"Real-Life Safety" strategy, in which Saab's goal is to develop
vehicles that provide safety in real world crashes. "EuroNCAP is an
independent organization whose evaluations contain accessible and
objective information which can be a useful guide for consumers,"
explained Per Lenhoff, Head of Crash Safety Development at Saab
Automobile. EuroNCAP conducts tests on European model variants
using three types of collisions: a 40-mph frontal impact against a
deformable barrier (representing another vehicle) with a 40 percent
overlap; a 30-mph side impact against a deformable barrier and an
18-mph side impact against a rigid pole. Dummies are used to assess
the extent of potential injuries to the driver and, in the frontal
impact, also the front passenger. The test results are then
evaluated according to a large number of parameters relating to
driver and passenger safety. There are minor differences in the
seat belt reminder system and seat belt pre-tensioner system
between some Saab model variants sold in Europe and those sold in
the U.S. due to specific U.S. government requirements. Lenhoff
notes that a vehicle's safety performance is the product of many
factors, including driver and occupant behavior, personal judgment
and other variables. Real Life Safety means that Saab's goal is to
develop cars that provide safety in real world crashes. Note: The
SAHR (Saab Active Head Restraint) has been standard equipment in
both the Saab 9-3 and the 9-5 since 1998. In November 2001, The
Journal of Trauma in the United States published a comparison study
between SAHR-equipped Saabs and older Saabs with traditional head
restraints. The survey was based on actual collisions and showed
that SAHR reduces the risk of serious whiplash injuries as a result
of rear-end impacts by 75 percent. The American research institute
IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) and the British
insurance research center at Thatcham have also published reports
stating that SAHR provides very effective protection.
http://media.saab.com/ DATASOURCE: Saab CONTACT: Kevin Smith,
+1-770-279-6360, Colin Price, +1-770-279-6362, or Dan Prescott,
619-749-8900, all of Saab, or 800-GET-SAAB Web site:
http://media.saab.com/
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