The smart fortwo's advanced safety concept earns the best top mark and
?strongest roof? rating
TORONTO, ON - The smart fortwo was recently awarded the highest rating in
its class for roof strength by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
(IIHS). As the only vehicle in its segment to achieve a rating of ?GOOD?,
the smart fortwo received the highest possible rating and earned the title
of ?strongest roof? among all competing micro and mini cars. In addition,
the smart fortwo also performed better than some larger cars in the same
IIHS test and surpassed all but one of the 13 small SUVs previously tested.
According to the IIHS, roof strength is a critical element responsible for
protecting occupants in a rollover crash. In the IIHS test, the smart
fortwo withstood a force of 5.4 times its weight, far exceeding the minimum
required force ratio of 4 times the vehicle?s weight to earn a ?GOOD?
rating. The IIHS reports that occupants of a vehicle in the ?GOOD?
category, like the smart fortwo, have a 50 per cent less risk of serious or
fatal injury in a single vehicle rollover crash.
Anchored by the tridion safety cell, the smart fortwo?s sophisticated
safety management system provides the best possible protection despite the
vehicle?s compact dimensions. This tough steel cage surrounds the driver
and passenger, and its sturdy and rigid shell is reinforced at
strategically important points with high-strength steel to maximize
protection for its occupants. In addition, the many active safety systems
including standard electronic stability program, an anti-lock braking
system with electronic brake force distribution and hydraulic brake assist
help drivers avoid an accident altogether by keeping them safely in control
of the vehicle.
?The smart fortwo is already a benchmark on many fronts but highly regarded
for its low fuel consumption as Natural Resources Canada?s ecoENERGY award
winner for two consecutive years as the most fuel efficient vehicle in the
two-seater category,? said Marcus Breitschwerdt, President and CEO of
Mercedes-Benz Canada. ?This latest test, combined with a series of other
positive results from well-respected third party testing organizations,
confirms what over 15,000 smart owners across Canada already know ? the
smart fortwo is a fun, economical, and intelligent solution for safe,
modern mobility for a smart world.?
