Cars Classic-Car Classifieds

Here is a loop around the LeMay Auto Museum’s exhibit of microcars and minicars at the New York Auto Show, April 22-24, 2011

IIHS news release • June 11, 2009 Mini and microcar bumpers allow pricey damage; none of the 7 tested rates good under new system ARLINGTON, VA — Urban drivers often pick mini and microcars because they’re affordable, fuel efficient, and easy to park on city streets. Fender-benders are hazards of urban driving, and just one of them can add up to thousands of dollars in repair costs because the bumpers don’t adequately protect vehicles from damage. None of the bumpers on 7 mini and microcars the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently tested earns the top rating of good, and just 1, the Smart Fortwo, is acceptable. Five out of the 7 earn poor ratings and 1 earns a marginal. Full text of news release: www.iihs.org

IIHS news release • April 14, 2009 New crash tests demonstrate the influence of vehicle size and weight on safety in crashes; results are relevant to fuel economy policies ARLINGTON, VA — Three front-to-front crash tests, each involving a microcar or minicar into a midsize model from the same manufacturer, show how extra vehicle size and weight enhance occupant protection in collisions. These Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests are about the physics of car crashes, which dictate that very small cars generally can’t protect people in crashes as well as bigger, heavier models. Full text of release at www.iihs.org

IIHS news release • August 20, 2009 Smart Fortwo rates good for roof strength; test is designed to assess & compare occupant protection in rollover crashes ARLINGTON, VA — The Smart Fortwo has the strongest roof and the Chevrolet Aveo has the weakest among 2009 micro and minicars recently tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Smart earns the highest rating of good compared with acceptable for the Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Mini Cooper, and Toyota Yaris. The Aveo is rated marginal. Full text of release at www.iihs.org

2009 Honda CR-Z Concept and EV-N Concept For images and details on the CR-Z Concept click on the link. www.carpictures.com For images and details on the EV-N Concept click on the link. www.carpictures.com

I test Microcar sono stati eseguiti alla velocità massima del veicolo ( 45 km/h). I parametri biologici sui conduttori hanno tenuto conto della possibilità che essi potessero essere anche molto anziani. Tutti i test sono stati fatti con manichini a bordo simulando la presenza di guidatore e passeggero. Sono stati fatti test d’urto frontale, laterale e disassato simulando un urto con una vettura in marcia contraria Sono state simulate situazioni di guida estreme ( ostacoli, rampe, terreni accidentati ) ma non pericolose per gli occupanti, per verificare l’eventuale apertura inaspettata dell’air bag. La Microcar è l’unica con sistema MPS AIR BAG, 4 freni a disco, correttore di frenata, cellula in alluminio, telaio a deformazione progressiva e, con le Microcar, la sicurezza si fa “grande”. I sistemi di sicurezza della Microcar sono testati con la metodologia EURO N-CAP e l’unica differenza con le normali ben più grandi autovetture è che, non potendo raggiungere i 64 km/h previsti dal test standard, li Microcar sono lanciate a 45 km/h, il massimo della loro velocità. Non dimentichiamo comunque che l’utilizzo tipico come citycar delle microvetture rende inutili i test a velocità maggiore, indispensabili invece per le “grandi” destinate alle autostrade. I detrattori delle microvetture dicono che le miniauto non sono sicure anche perché non debbono essere sottoposte per legge ai crash test obbligatori. Però, anche se non obbligate per legge, alcune aziende produttrici di …

FOR MORE CAR VIDEOS & REVIEWS VISIT: www.kbb.com 2009 Smart ForTwo. More and more Americans are learning to appreciate small cars for their fuel efficient, easy to park natures. Taking that formula and amplifying it is the Smart ForTwo, a sub-sub compact that has been sold in Europe for years but is set to push the boundaries of Americas small car appreciation. Capable of parking in impossibly small spots, the ForTwo is made for city dwellers. Its also made for environmentally concerned citizens, as illustrated by its 40 milesper-gallon-plus highway fuel economy. Add to that a starting price around 000 and the Smart ForTwo might be an alternative for car buyers who want to save cash and the planet.