This week, the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro received a “Good” crash safety rating from the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety). Based on GM’s Alpha platform shared with the Cadillac ATS and Cadillac CTS, the sports car received the following marks in each respective category:
Crashworthiness
- Small overlap front: Good
- Moderate overalp front: Good
- Side: Good
- Roof strength: Average
- Head restraints and seats: Good
Crash Avoidance And Mitigation
- Front crash prevention: Not Available
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
- Ease of use: Medium
Of particular interest is the Camaro’s “good” rating in IIHS’ small overlap crash test, which is often considered the most difficult to score a good rating. The video above shows the 2016 Camaro undergoing the small overlap crash test.
Comments
Now that they’ve thrashed some perfectly good SS’s, Where can I get a hold of the LT1, tranny, throttle and ecm for my C10? What a shame to just waste great components like that.
Crashing with the engine is a necessary test. It’s not a shame, all automakers rely on the engine block (if present at the front) as part of the structural integrity of the car in an impact.
Relevant fun fact: The engine block of your car is the only piece that is reliably bulletproof. If, God forbid, you need to take cover next to a car… duck by the engine block.
This is one reason rear-engine and mid-engine cars are rare… the engine acts as a shock absorber of sorts in a head-on collision.
I think what he is saying is that he wants the engine for his C10 from the crashed unit.
The problem is they are not bullet proof.
In the crash the engine in this type of testing takes some major damage and often is rendered unusable. The trannys usually break to.
As for Rear Mid Engine cars the they are rate often for the reason they only have two seats and often very little storage room as they are meant for sport driving nothing else. Most meet the same standards in a crash because they are constructed in different ways to take the impact.
Having crashed a mid engine car into a Dodge van at 45 MPH and then driving it home is proof that the care was well constructed. I hit so hard I bent the steering wheel over the turn signal. But the Radiator was intact and the Suspension and all were fine. The composite body was very damaged but the car after bending the wheel up was very drive able.
Even after the crash the battery that was in the back was damaged and would not hold a charge as the impact was hard enough to damage the cells.
FYI the van could not back into the drive way as his front end was damaged so much the wheel was locked.
Not I still own the car and have won many car shows on the national level.
I truly feel the car saved my life.
A for bullet proof blocks. Well it all depends on the gun and shell. I have seen demo’s where the the right gun and shell will pierce a block. That was cast iron and Aluminum may not be any better.
Bingo Silent Electrician. Christopher, of course I want these cars tested as they are driven on the road. It would be silly not to do it that way. I just think it would be a shame to take them to the crusher without looking for any salvageable parts. To scott3 below, I’ve used a few motors and trannys out of wrecked/totalled cars before with no problems. I’m not saying some wouldn’t have problems and I wouldn’t want one out of a totally crushed front end, but one from this test could survive and could be salvaged. I guess my first comment was vague in the sense that I appreciate all of the safety measures the manufacturers take and the tests the nhtsa and iihs utilize to keep the driving public safe in their seats.
Well using parts from some crashes are ok as all crashes are not the same.
My point is that the crash test here are extreme and generally to a degree never seen on the road.
Also these cars after they are done may go to a salvage company to be dismantled and sold off.
I know IKQ often gets cars from MFG to be salvaged and I am sure the testing here is not any different.
My point is that the penetration of a crash like seen above is often more than the average car will see and when it hits like much on the engine can be managed also when the transmission is pushed back to absorb the crash the mounts and tail shafts break or tear away.
Over the years I have scoured salvage yards for parts and when you could just go back and get them yourself. We uncovered many damaged engines and drive line parts on the newer cars as they were made to collapse.
I a sure that you may have found some intact as that happens often too but many others are not that lucky.
You just have to inspect each one.
I generally looked for cars with side and rear impacts for engine as the risk were much less. Even then the tail shafts could be sheared off.
As for the car above I would expect that it was salvaged after the study but after an offset test I am sure you would understand the damage the engine took after half of it was hit and twisted in the crash. I sure here the mounts were broken the exhaust may have been sheared and the plastic intakes were broken and harness torn away.
So not saying you could not but in a crash as represented above it is not the best case for finding engine that would be your best option. The Dismantles often will scrap these as they are hard to move if the mounting on the engine is damaged or if the front impact has shoved the accessories into the front of the engine doing damage to aluminum heads etc. People buying them do not want to have to change them a second time and will avoid any sign of damage.
You know… these test facilities… must have a very careful check and balance thing going on… lest they accidentally ‘test’ one of their own cars.
I cried.
I’m torn. I mean, they crashed a blue one. But then again, this boosts the Kinetic/Hyper Blue sales one more unit – keeping the color alive.
I’ve decided… I’m okay looking at this. Internet, you can breathe a sigh of relief.