The Chevrolet Spark has been named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the only minicar to earn the title in 2014 model year testing.
The Spark earned the highest possible rating in the IIHS’s moderate overlap front, side, roof and head restraints tests and earned a rating of “acceptable” in IIHS’s new small overlap test, designed to mimic what happens when the front corner of a vehicle strikes another vehicle or object.
“Spark’s impressive performance in IIHS’s most stringent test yet demonstrates the intensive efforts of our global safety team to deliver big safety in a small package,” said General Motors general director of Vehicle Safety and Crashworthiness, Gay Kent.
Due to their small size, minicars present unique challenges for designers in regards to crashworthiness. The short wheelbase of the Spark required General Motors engineers to strengthen the car’s front end structure, helping to absorb the impact in the case of a collision.
Chevrolet says lightweight, high strength steels make up more than 62 percent of the Spark’s underbody and 42 percent of its upper body. In addition to high strength steels, the Spark’s safety is boosted by its driver and passenger front knee airbags, dual front airbags, seat mounted side airbags and side curtain airbags.
Comments
I am glad for the Chevy Spark for earning this award. The Spark EV may be even safer. GM should promote this news (and its ten airbags) to sell more Sparks (both gas and EV).
This is great and nice to hear it(see this) as I am kind of fond of this little guy and hope it does well over time.