The smart fortwo's advanced safety concept earns the best top mark and "strongest roof" rating
The smart fortwo was recently awarded the highest rating in its class for roof strength by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). As the only vehicle in its segment to achieve a rating of "GOOD", the smart fortwo received the highest possible rating and earned the title of "strongest roof" among all competing micro and mini cars. In addition, the smart fortwo also performed better than some larger cars in the same IIHS test and surpassed all but one of the 13 small SUVs previously tested.
According to the IIHS, roof strength is a critical element responsible for protecting occupants in a rollover crash. In the IIHS test, the smart fortwo withstood a force of 5.4 times its weight, far exceeding the minimum required force ratio of 4 times the vehicle's weight to earn a "GOOD" rating. The IIHS reports that occupants of a vehicle in the "GOOD" category, like the smart fortwo, have a 50 per cent less risk of serious or fatal injury in a single vehicle rollover crash.
Anchored by the tridion safety cell, the smart fortwo's sophisticated safety management system provides the best possible protection despite the vehicle's compact dimensions. This tough steel cage surrounds the driver and passenger, and its sturdy and rigid shell is reinforced at strategically important points with high-strength steel to maximize protection for its occupants. In addition, the many active safety systems including standard electronic stability program, an anti-lock braking system with electronic brake force distribution and hydraulic brake assist help drivers avoid an accident altogether by keeping them safely in control of the vehicle.
"The smart fortwo is already a benchmark on many fronts but highly regarded for its low fuel consumption as Natural Resources Canada's ecoENERGY award winner for two consecutive years as the most fuel efficient vehicle in the two-seater category," said Marcus Breitschwerdt, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada. "This latest test, combined with a series of other positive results from well-respected third party testing organizations, confirms what over 15,000 smart owners across Canada already know - the smart fortwo is a fun, economical, and intelligent solution for safe, modern mobility for a smart world."