Geneva report- Opel Corsa Voted Best Small Car
FOR RELEASE: February 4, 2002Austrian Automobile Club publishes crash test results; Opel Corsa is Safest Small Car
- First place in comparison with six other competitors
- Top marks for very good passenger protection
Rüsselsheim - The Opel Corsa was rated the best small car in a series of crash tests conducted in cooperation by the Austrian ÖAMTC, the German ADAC and other European automobile clubs. Performance in front and side collisions was tested under Euro NCAP conditions. For the frontal collision, the test car was driven into a deformable barrier at a speed of 64 km/h with a 40 percent overlap on the driver´s side. For the side crash a sled weighing 950 kg was rammed into the driver's side of the stationary car at a speed of 48-50 km/h. The Opel Corsa achieved a total of 29 points in the front and side impact crash tests and, together with the Toyota Yaris, led the field of seven small cars tested.
"The Opel Corsa´s front-end absorbs and spreads the impact energy evenly across the stable passenger compartment. The airbags provide optimal support for the driver´s and front seat passenger´s head, neck and chest," the ÖAMTC said. Overall, the Austrian Automobile Club confirmed the Corsa´s very good passenger protection. The Corsa's comprehensive safety package includes front and side airbags for the driver and front-seat passenger, Active Head Restraints on both front seats and the patented Pedal Release System which reduces the risk of injury to the feet and lower legs. Since the fall of 2001, customers can also order full-size curtain airbags for additional side impact protection.
More information on the Small Car Crash Test is available at http://www.oeamtc.at (see Übersicht Kleinwagen Teil 3).