The hydrogen fuel-cell-powered Hyundai Nexo has just undergone its first crash test, and subsequently, one of the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safetys (IIHS) first crash tests of a hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle.Not only did the vehicle pass, it also earned a Top Safety Pick+ award, plus a load of Good and Acceptable ratings for its other safety systems. Most importantly, however, the Nexo didnt explode into a giant ball of flames.Per the IIHS, to qualify for a 2019 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award, a vehicle must earn good ratings in the driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests.It also needs an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention and a good headlight rating. The NEXO, a midsize premium SUV, has good ratings in all six crashworthiness tests.Hydrogen doesnt have the best reputation for not exploding remember the H-bomb? The H stands for hydrogen. The infamous Hindenburg zeppelin was also filled with hydrogen. Luckily, hydrogen technology has come a long way since the days of using it as a literal bomb or of trying to hold it in a big balloon. Part of the reason the vehicle didnt toast marshmallows immediately after its small-overlap crash is the hydrogen tanks are fairly well-protected by the body of the vehicle, and are located underneath the rear seats.Theres more to the safety of the tanks than just the placement. In fact, Hyundai recently released a video explain more of the safety features of the
Origin: Hyundai’s hydrogen fuel-cell Nexo earns top crash safety award
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The Tesla Model 3 just earned the IIHS’ top safety award
The Tesla Model 3 has earned its first award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and its a good one.In crash testing, Teslas cheapest model won the organizations top-tier award, Top Safety Pick+, which means that it scored good or better in the passenger-side small overlap test and the headlight evaluation, areas many automakers struggle with.The Model 3 earned big points for its performance in the driver-side small-overlap front crash test, one of the most challenging tests to score well at as well.The car held up fairly well, with the lower door pillar intruding only 8 inches, equal to a moderate risk of injury to the drivers lower leg, and no other injuries reported.Another aspect modern-day cars have to score big in is front crash prevention systems, and Teslas systems scored well in these areas, too, earning good marks for the 20 km/h and 40 km/h tests.Vehicles with alternative powertrains have come into their own, IIHS Chief Research Officer David Zuby says. Theres no need to trade away safety for a lower carbon footprint when choosing a vehicle.The fact the car scored so well is a great feat of engineering, as the Model 3 obviously doesnt have an engine in the front to absorb any of the impact. The battery is also very innovative in that it is rigid and fortified, which diverts crash forces away from the
Origin: The Tesla Model 3 just earned the IIHS’ top safety award
Autocar Awards 2019: Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche wins Issigonis Award for extraordinary achievements in motoring
It’s likely no boss at Daimler will wear a tie to a middle-ranking business meeting again. In 2015 the company’s long-serving, high-achieving CEO Dr Dieter Zetsche – winner of this year’s Issigonis Trophy, Autocar’s highest accolade – gave up neckware for meetings. His acolytes gratefully followed suit. Even after four years people still remark on this apocalyptic change at least as much as they do about the Mercedes CEO’s far more significant corporate achievements – such as demerging the company from a disastrous Chrysler alliance, changing company culture, surviving the worst of Dieselgate despite a huge recall of Mercedes models, beating BMW in 2016, vigorously embracing the new electrification age and leaving the company in a well-founded and profitable condition, stuffed with ideas to face the future. utocar Awards 2019: The
Origin: Autocar Awards 2019: Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche wins Issigonis Award for extraordinary achievements in motoring
Jaguar IPace wins World Car of the Year award
Jaguar I-Pace wins World Car of the Year award The EV SUV has racked up the awards recently Jaguar’s I-Pace has won the World Car of the Year 2019 title, taking the overall prize from the Audi e-tron and the Volvo S60/V60. To have two pure-electric models in the last three says a lot about how quickly the electric car market has moved on. Two years ago, it was the Jaguar F-Pace winning the award, and Volvo’s XC60 took the title last year. Despite all three being SUVs, this is the first time since 2011 that an EV has won the prize, when the Nissan Leaf won. The I-Pace won its section in the World Green Car of the Year category, and also was awarded the World Car Design of the Year title. Of the six categories available to be won – including the outright prize – the I-Pace didn’t win the Urban, Luxury, or Performance awards. These were won by the Suzuki Jimny, Audi A7, and McLaren 720S respectively. Jaguar’s win comes soon after the prestigious Car of the Year 2019 prize, which is a European award, on the eve of the Geneva Motor Show in March. It also won the UK Car of the Year title, completing a hat-trick for the electric Jaguar.
Origin: Jaguar IPace wins World Car of the Year award
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