Tesla crash test slow motion video

[_JD_]

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/s...all/#more-3805

[tmr]

I'm sure someone has searched this, but are there any similar videos or other analysis of the Elise? I know it's very similar, but the weight of the Tesla is about 500 lbs. heavier.

[MattG]

Neat video. I've never seen anything similar for the Elise.4

[Bleu Omdurman]

Man, these guys are just doing this right!

I can't wait to be able to convince my wife she needs one. She told me that once she decides to sell the prius she might buy one of these. I am hoping they are available used in a year or two.

[WVSooner]

There's an error in the video. One crash is labelled an "offset collision." It is not - it is an angled barrier / oblique collision. Offset tests use a flat frontal barrier that only impacts part of the front structure - they are designed to replicate a head-on collision where one of the cars has drifted across the centerline.

[LMM]

There was a story in the WSJ about the Telsa talking about how it is modeled after the Elise (no surprise here) but also that it is 1+ years behind schedule. Part of delay was due to a redesign to make it easier to get into. Another delay was because it failed side impact crash tests - probably because they made it easier to get into! Hoping to make a small amount of cars for 2008 and then making other models thereafter.

Originally Posted by WVSooner

There's an error in the video. One crash is labelled an "offset collision." It is not - it is an angled barrier / oblique collision. Offset tests use a flat frontal barrier that only impacts part of the front structure - they are designed to replicate a head-on collision where one of the cars has drifted across the centerline.

[99hondaaccord]

anybody know what the crash test ratings on these things are???

[esoteric]

did you notice how the hood flew off on the front impact crash?! it looked like it flew up pretty high in the air like a frisbee- unlike the crumple of metal hoods.
also i was pretty impressed by the side impact it withstood.

[Westrock]

Just watching that really shows off how freaking amazing airbags are. That it could detect an impact and then fully deploy the bags (several liters of volume too) all before the occupants head even starts reacting to the loss of momentum (head moving forward).

[JLSELISE]

A combination of good science and good engineering, but really not too too difficult to do.
The accelerometer that first detects the impact responds to relatively small amplitude signals generated on impact that move through the car's frame at the elastic (sound) wave speed in aluminum (about 5000 m/s). Once that signal is detected (just a few microseconds after the impact), an electrical signal is generated that travels from the accelerometer to the air bag actuator(s) in the car's interior (sort of an explosive squib) at the speed of light (i.e., instantaneously). So the only significant delay that occurs is associated with setting off the charge and inflating the bag, and that will typically be only a few milliseconds. That leaves plenty of time for the air bag to "be there" before your head responds to the negative acceleration of the impact.

[jlj3394]

This is a great crash test. What they're trying to do is design a passenger compartment that does not give, while the rest of the car will.

In most tests, you just need to look between the wheels and see if you see any serious deformation. As you can see, in this video, the front of the car takes the impact and deforms, but there is very little intrusion or deformation in the passenger compartment.

This is a very safe car IF you don't get Tboned by an SUV. There is just no way to design any small, low car to take the side impact from an SUV well - you have a bumper of a 4000+ pound vehicle versus our A and B pillars - not a fair fight.

[buzzy]

Originally Posted by tmr

I'm sure someone has searched this, but are there any similar videos or other analysis of the Elise? I know it's very similar, but the weight of the Tesla is about 500 lbs. heavier.

No. But they crashed 24 to get the federal Elise legal.

All I know is that you can drive an Elise head on into a wall at 30mph with no front end chassis damage.

[Westrock]

Like a wall of poeple? Wall of flowers??

[MikeinAlexandria]

A wall of cotton?

Actually, these crash videos are enlightening. I think, based on the cars I saw being built at Lotus, that the Elise is probably safer than the Tesla. The sides of the Elise are higher, and help protect the passengers in a side impact. As to the front and rear, the crash structure is a little different than the Tesla, but should have similar results. Nice to know that we are really pretty safe buzzing around in our little spaceships. Of course the best is to try not to get rear-ended or run into anything. In a pinch, I have always felt that driving into the grass or onto a shoulder was always better than having the guy behind you hit you.

It would be interesting to locate the Elise crash test videos if there are any.

Originally Posted by buzzy

No. But they crashed 24 to get the federal Elise legal.

All I know is that you can drive an Elise head on into a wall at 30mph with no front end chassis damage.

[Miata_mx5]

Last time I heard the Elise doesn't actually meet FMVSS. I heard they have quite a few exemptions.

FR Doc 04-2517

I know Tesla had a temporary exemption for airbags as well.

[buzzy]

The Elise had 2 exemptions which ran out at the end of 2006. Headlights and 2.5mph bumpers.

If you take a look at the Sands Museum site, there's a ton of great information on what it took to get the car federalised including crash testing:

Lotus Elise, Information Before Introduction to the US

They had to crash test 24 cars for U.S. approval. He said that made him sad.

Lotus Elise Publication, Performance Through Lightweight

For the Federal Elise, the tub chassis has changed only in detail. Despite being extremely light, the Elise's structure, which includes a composite energy-absorbing front crash structure, is tough enough to meet all U.S. government crash standards. The body is made from closed-mold composite material that is thinner and lighter than the original's hand-laid glass fiber.

"The most challenging parts of this program were undoubtedly the combination of meeting crash testing requirements for the Federal market for the unbelted occupant and meeting U.S. emissions standards, within the constraints of the program timing," said Adams. "We've achieved full compliance with the NHTSA safety standards for the unbelted occupant, which we are very proud of; in a car this size, that is quite an achievement."

[Miata_mx5]

Good to know.