Tesla passes FMVSS crash tests

[bigshark]

This is cool - most likely means the Lotus would pass as well I expect.

http://jalopnik.com/349197/tesla-roa...for-production

[elise24fps]

Totaled ? Yup.

No longer a fan of the company.

[shokwaves]

I'd love to get that thing in my garage. Quicker that a CGT & Murcielago, what a sleeper and cheap to run.

[andykeck]

Originally Posted by bigshark

This is cool - most likely means the Lotus would pass as well I expect.

Huh? Of course it could pass. How'd you think they could sell it here?

[bigshark]

Originally Posted by andykeck

Huh? Of course it could pass. How'd you think they could sell it here?

Perhaps I misspoke - I was referring to the fact that the Elise didn't have to go through crash testing in the United States - I could be wrong about that but I have been unable to find any data on this, and other threads have eluded to this idea.

With that in mind, I saw that the Tesla had, indeed, been crash tested so I was drawing loose conclusions that the Elise would perform similarly.

[andykeck]

Originally Posted by bigshark

Perhaps I misspoke - I was referring to the fact that the Elise didn't have to go through crash testing in the United States - I could be wrong about that but I have been unable to find any data on this, and other threads have eluded to this idea.

I don't think anything can be sold here with out the crash tests. I can't find easily identifiable public record of the tests, but I've seen several articles where either Tony Shute or Nick Adams talks about the required crash test program they had to go through...

And therein lies the crunch. Shute won't be cajoled into revealing how much the Federal Elise project cost, but does let slip that it was three to four times the amount spent on developing the S1 Elise. So we're talking tens of millions. About four years ago when the project was first proposed and costed out, the board turned it down; only when Proton obtained full ownership of Lotus and realised that it couldn't grow the company unless it went Stateside, did Shute and the team (which at times has numbered 60) get the green light.

Quite apart from anything else, you have to go through a crash test programme, which involves between 12 and 20 cars hitting the wall. Then your shiny new sports car must survive a 120,000 mile durability test with no parts replacement - not even a cam-belt - to ensure the engine maintains its emissions compliance. That's why job #1 on the Federal Elise was to find a powerplant that had already gone through the durability process and also met Lotus's power, weight and size requirements.

http://www.sandsmuseum.com/cars/elis...evo022504.html

[mopho]

The back end of the Tesla has been changed a lot from the elise to accommodate the batteries and the different position of the motor. I don't think it would have a lot relevance anymore to how an Elise would behave in a rear end crash.
Additionally, the side impact protection has been changed too since the sills were lowered. I believe the Tesla has different door beams