Official MINI USA Press Release: The second generation MINI Cooper hardtop earned impressive scores for front and side impact and roll-over testing in the latest National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) testing.
In the NCAP side impact testing, the 2008 MINI Cooper received a 5-Star rating for front seat occupant side-impact protection – the highest rating issued by NHTSA. In the same test the MINI Cooper received a 4-Star rating for rear seat occupants.
In frontal impact testing the MINI Cooper received a 4-Star rating for both front seat occupants. In addition the MINI Cooper carries a 5-Star rating for rollover safety.
“We are delighted that the NHTSA tests confirm MINIs excellent occupant protection in crash situations” said Jim McDowell, Vice President of MINI USA. “It is a testament to the level of safety we engineer in our cars, making MINI one of the safest small cars on the road today.”
The MINI Cooper and Cooper S help to maximize occupant safety with a total of six airbags – two frontal impact bags, two seat-mounted side impact bags and an impressive Head Protection air bag curtain that protects both front and rear passengers in the event of a side impact or roll-over. MINI’s crash worthiness is also enhanced by a rigid steel safety cage that helps to redirect impact forces away from occupants.
Of course it is better to avoid an accident and MINI offers a palette of advanced electronic braking and traction management technologies to help keep the car safely on the road. In addition to standard Anti-Lock Brakes, and All Season Traction, (AST), MINI offers Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Corner Brake Control (CBC) and available Dynamic Stability Control (DSC).
Anything less than 5 stars is a little worrying to me. I’ll check NHTSA’s website to look at the results, if they’re there?…
No pics but here’s the link: <a href="http://www.safercar.gov/Cars/4680.html" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.safercar.gov/Cars/4680.html</a>
“Scores well” – I knew something was less than 5.
Still better than the r53 scored.
If you check the Cooper results (same test)there are <a href="http://www.safercar.gov/Cars/4678.html" rel="nofollow">pictures.</a>
It’s too bad NHTSA doesn’t provide as much information as <a href="http://www.euroncap.com/tests/bmw_mini_2007/288.aspx" rel="nofollow">Euro NCAP does.</a>
Euro NCAP has rated the 2007 Mini at 5 stars for adult occupants. It doesn’t give specific frontal impact a star rating though.
These are the Government 35-MPH tests.
The results are very similar to the R53…. 4 stars.
Still one of the safest vehicles on the road.
Yeah, with the MINI being less weight than most of the likely impact targets on the road, 4 stars doesn’t reassure much. The trick of course is to use the excellent steering and brakes to avoid the collision in the first place, right?
The crash rating of a Lotus Elise must be 1 or 2 stars. Talk about of a car that can desintegrate if it gets too close to a curb.