The 2012 Fiat 500 is Earns IIHS “2012 Top Safety Pick” Status

Fiat continues to prove their spicy, compact Italian imports offer safety Chicagoland drivers can depend on.
 
Oct. 24, 2012 - PRLog -- The 2012 Fiat 500 was recently awarded the title of “Top Safety Pick” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). In order to qualify for the award, any vehicle must first nab the prestigious rating of “good” in every one of the IIHS's crash tests. That means scoring high marks for side, front, rollover, and rear safety tests.
http://www.fiatusaofchicago.com/2012-fiat-500-models.htm

Vehicles must also feature electronic stability control (ESC) as a standard feature to qualify as of September 1, 2012.

The IIHS Crash Tests
The impact and collision tests implemented by the IIHS are some of the most comprehensive in the industry; the Fiat 500 had to have outstanding scores in all four areas of testing in order to earn the “Top Safety Pick” rating.

•   The side impact crash test is used to determine what would happen if another vehicle were to impact the Fiat 500 from either side. In order to simulate this, the IIHS strikes the side of each vehicle with a barrier at 31 mph. The barrier is designed to replicate the size of a small truck or SUV.

•   Front crash worthiness is determined by a series of 40 mph front offset crashes, where the overall safety is determined by measurements of intrusions into the cabin due to the collision, with injury measurements being monitored by a crash dummy. Professionals also analyze footage in slow motion to determine any dangers that may not be readily apparent after the fact.

•   Rollover safety is calculated by using a simple ratio. Once the vehicle rolls over, their cabin strength is rated and a strength-to-weight ratio is calculated. Earning a 4 or higher warrants a “good” rating.

•   Finally, rear safety tests are performed to simulate a rear-end collision against the vehicle while stationary.


All of these tests combine to give the IIHS a picture of the overall safety of the vehicle; it can be incredibly difficult to achieve “good” ratings in all four categories, and the addition of other manufacturing requirements mean that “Top Safety Pick” is a mark of tremendous distinction.

The Fiat 500 is available in many different trim levels and models: all as stylish and luxurious as one would expect from a Fiat. Drivers with questions about the impeccable safety record of the 500 are encouraged to contact Fiat of Chicago to take a test drive and see the vehicle firsthand.
http://www.fiatusaofchicago.com/contact-form.htm
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Page Updated Last on: Oct 24, 2012
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