480 offset crash test footage
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- WillC9303
- Can tell where the 480 was built
- Posts: 303
- Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2021 8:46 pm
- Location: Surrey
480 offset crash test footage
Hi everyone it’s me again
I found some offset crash footage for the 480 in case somebody hasn’t seen it before?
This is the only footage I could find of an offset crash for this car. Sorry for the poor quality. I’m sure Volvo have a better quality side on view somewhere in their archives…
I’m not a car crash expert so I have no clue if this is good or not. The a-pillar at a right angle and bent door suggest it’s not
I found some offset crash footage for the 480 in case somebody hasn’t seen it before?
This is the only footage I could find of an offset crash for this car. Sorry for the poor quality. I’m sure Volvo have a better quality side on view somewhere in their archives…
I’m not a car crash expert so I have no clue if this is good or not. The a-pillar at a right angle and bent door suggest it’s not
William
1993 2.0i Limited Edition
1993 2.0i Limited Edition
Re: 480 offset crash test footage
You have to put this into context. That test was taking place about 36 years ago. It's easy to be horrified when comparing it against something modern, but compare it with it's peers of the time? Totally different.
Crash test's themselves weren't even a thing back then; there were tests, but no hard facts, no scores, nothing. Manufacturers crash-tested their cars, but they did so behind closed doors, never making the findings public. And even though they were crash-testing, they only had to meet very basic requirements.
Basically, so long as the car didn’t burst into flames on impact, and the crash test dummy’s head was still attached, it was a thumbs up and then off to the showroom. The manufacturers held the cards. EuroNCAP changed that in around 1997.
1997
That's AFTER production of the 480 had stopped.
And yet, the 480, because well, Volvo, came with Side impact bars (which I think was a first), front and rear crumple zones, ABS, SRS, Airbags... Volvo certainly led the way in safety. In fact they did a very clever marketing campaign around it.
You want horror? Go look at the infamous Rover 100 crashtest, a test SO bad, that it vanished from sales less than 2 years later.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUs-h23 ... l=EuroNCAP
Crash test's themselves weren't even a thing back then; there were tests, but no hard facts, no scores, nothing. Manufacturers crash-tested their cars, but they did so behind closed doors, never making the findings public. And even though they were crash-testing, they only had to meet very basic requirements.
Basically, so long as the car didn’t burst into flames on impact, and the crash test dummy’s head was still attached, it was a thumbs up and then off to the showroom. The manufacturers held the cards. EuroNCAP changed that in around 1997.
1997
That's AFTER production of the 480 had stopped.
And yet, the 480, because well, Volvo, came with Side impact bars (which I think was a first), front and rear crumple zones, ABS, SRS, Airbags... Volvo certainly led the way in safety. In fact they did a very clever marketing campaign around it.
You want horror? Go look at the infamous Rover 100 crashtest, a test SO bad, that it vanished from sales less than 2 years later.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUs-h23 ... l=EuroNCAP
- WillC9303
- Can tell where the 480 was built
- Posts: 303
- Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2021 8:46 pm
- Location: Surrey
Re: 480 offset crash test footage
I’m not concerned by the crash results, as they were about what I would expect for a car of this age. I used to get driven round in a 740GL, and was even involved in a low speed collision at a junction in a Corsa B many years back, so I’m used to (by modern standards) unsafe cars.jifflemon wrote: ↑Thu Mar 31, 2022 9:22 amYou have to put this into context. That test was taking place about 36 years ago. It's easy to be horrified when comparing it against something modern, but compare it with it's peers of the time? Totally different.
Crash test's themselves weren't even a thing back then; there were tests, but no hard facts, no scores, nothing. Manufacturers crash-tested their cars, but they did so behind closed doors, never making the findings public. And even though they were crash-testing, they only had to meet very basic requirements.
Basically, so long as the car didn’t burst into flames on impact, and the crash test dummy’s head was still attached, it was a thumbs up and then off to the showroom. The manufacturers held the cards. EuroNCAP changed that in around 1997.
1997
That's AFTER production of the 480 had stopped.
And yet, the 480, because well, Volvo, came with Side impact bars (which I think was a first), front and rear crumple zones, ABS, SRS, Airbags... Volvo certainly led the way in safety. In fact they did a very clever marketing campaign around it.
You want horror? Go look at the infamous Rover 100 crashtest, a test SO bad, that it vanished from sales less than 2 years later.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUs-h23 ... l=EuroNCAP
I only posted this in case others hadn’t seen this footage as all the other crash tests of this car have been front-on into a solid block, and those tests don’t really tell you much…
The Rover 100 is a particularly extreme example as that was a much smaller car that first entered production as the MiniMetro in 1980(?). The 480 isn’t really that bad for its age. There looks to be plenty of survival space, and its far safer than say, a Renault Fuego, which I guess was a competitor for the 480 at the time.
William
1993 2.0i Limited Edition
1993 2.0i Limited Edition
Re: 480 offset crash test footage
Yeah these cars are solid and safe. When you consider the passenger compartment is a safety cage and a solid one at that, it is on par with 'modern' stuff (after 1998) just without a hand grenade fixed over your crotch (on some models)
Indeed, I find this footage fascinating from an engineering perspective as you can see just where the strength has been engineered, these are very safe cars
Indeed, I find this footage fascinating from an engineering perspective as you can see just where the strength has been engineered, these are very safe cars
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
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Complete Front O/S rebuild
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild
- Jay-Kay-Em
- 480 Rookie
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Re: 480 offset crash test footage
Jay-Kay-Em
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Re: 480 offset crash test footage
best to adopt the 'avoidance mode' ?
sadly I think that some folk have got to a 'the car will save me' mentality
sadly I think that some folk have got to a 'the car will save me' mentality
Alan
480 ES 2litre 'Celebration' ? , C30 1.8ES, SS1
480 ES 2litre 'Celebration' ? , C30 1.8ES, SS1
Re: 480 offset crash test footage
If I'm going to be in a car of any age (indeed, probably any car, but certainly of the 25 years plus bracket) I'll take my chances in a Volvo, thank you!
Volvo were making their name based on safety above all other factors (such as performance or economy) when many other manufacturers had still to even discover the word. Many modern safety features (not just seatbelts) originate with Volvo. It was their "usp" until the likes of EuroNCAP finally woke other manufacturers up.
The 480's safety features are excellent for its time, and that includes its crash protection. At the end of the day it needs to be pretty serious before you aren't going to get out and walk away, including an angled collision as per the stills above.
Sophisticated (for the time) passenger safety cage ("cages save lives", remember?) plus crumple zones plus interior that had some thought given to passenger impact and safety (such as padded dashboards and collapsible steering columns).
If that had been a Ford/Austin Rover/Renault etc of the time, you really would be looking at that and saying "ugh"....
Volvo were making their name based on safety above all other factors (such as performance or economy) when many other manufacturers had still to even discover the word. Many modern safety features (not just seatbelts) originate with Volvo. It was their "usp" until the likes of EuroNCAP finally woke other manufacturers up.
The 480's safety features are excellent for its time, and that includes its crash protection. At the end of the day it needs to be pretty serious before you aren't going to get out and walk away, including an angled collision as per the stills above.
Sophisticated (for the time) passenger safety cage ("cages save lives", remember?) plus crumple zones plus interior that had some thought given to passenger impact and safety (such as padded dashboards and collapsible steering columns).
If that had been a Ford/Austin Rover/Renault etc of the time, you really would be looking at that and saying "ugh"....
Current: 1994 480 GT, 1996 460 CD & 1997 440 LE with lots of optional extras & 2007 V50 SE Sport
Previous: Celebration 331 (re-homed with Richard S), Celebration 467 (returned to Martin Mc); Celebration 346 (re-homed with Alan480); Celebration 269 (scrapped abandoned project), Celebration 73 (sold on after 6 years), 1992 ES, 1988 ES - and numerous other non-480 Volvos!
Previous: Celebration 331 (re-homed with Richard S), Celebration 467 (returned to Martin Mc); Celebration 346 (re-homed with Alan480); Celebration 269 (scrapped abandoned project), Celebration 73 (sold on after 6 years), 1992 ES, 1988 ES - and numerous other non-480 Volvos!
Re: 480 offset crash test footage
I think Audi also had a feature whereby the Steering wheel was pulled away from you in a crash before they had airbags, really interesting seeing how these things developeddcwalker wrote: ↑Thu Mar 31, 2022 5:56 pmIf I'm going to be in a car of any age (indeed, probably any car, but certainly of the 25 years plus bracket) I'll take my chances in a Volvo, thank you!
Volvo were making their name based on safety above all other factors (such as performance or economy) when many other manufacturers had still to even discover the word. Many modern safety features (not just seatbelts) originate with Volvo. It was their "usp" until the likes of EuroNCAP finally woke other manufacturers up.
The 480's safety features are excellent for its time, and that includes its crash protection. At the end of the day it needs to be pretty serious before you aren't going to get out and walk away, including an angled collision as per the stills above.
Sophisticated (for the time) passenger safety cage ("cages save lives", remember?) plus crumple zones plus interior that had some thought given to passenger impact and safety (such as padded dashboards and collapsible steering columns).
If that had been a Ford/Austin Rover/Renault etc of the time, you really would be looking at that and saying "ugh"....
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild
Re: 480 offset crash test footage
Video is of a Renault Clio.jifflemon wrote: ↑Thu Mar 31, 2022 9:22 am
You want horror? Go look at the infamous Rover 100 crashtest, a test SO bad, that it vanished from sales less than 2 years later.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUs-h23 ... l=EuroNCAP
after over 10 years parted with the 1995 Volvo 480 ES 2.0
Re: 480 offset crash test footage
as an aside did anybody see the short Top-Gear / Fifth-Gear where they drove a 7.5T into the back of a Suzuki/diddy Vauxhall and the truck shunted the car 100yds into the weeds
which thinking about it (as they should have) is about correct 7.5 Tonnes at 20mph plus an extra one Tonne car would mean that the 'assembly' would continue at 7.5/8.5 mph according to conservation of momentum.
you can ignore the few Joules used in deforming the ar5e end of the diddy car
which thinking about it (as they should have) is about correct 7.5 Tonnes at 20mph plus an extra one Tonne car would mean that the 'assembly' would continue at 7.5/8.5 mph according to conservation of momentum.
you can ignore the few Joules used in deforming the ar5e end of the diddy car
Alan
480 ES 2litre 'Celebration' ? , C30 1.8ES, SS1
480 ES 2litre 'Celebration' ? , C30 1.8ES, SS1
- jamescarruthers
- 480 Is my middle name
- Posts: 2507
- Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2003 3:19 pm
- Location: Cambridge
Re: 480 offset crash test footage
That’s weird, I’m seeing the Rover.Van wrote: ↑Mon Apr 11, 2022 10:30 amVideo is of a Renault Clio.jifflemon wrote: ↑Thu Mar 31, 2022 9:22 am
You want horror? Go look at the infamous Rover 100 crashtest, a test SO bad, that it vanished from sales less than 2 years later.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUs-h23 ... l=EuroNCAP
I wouldn’t be seen dead in one anyway and it looks like the chances would be high if I did get in!
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
2008 Mini Cooper convertible (Mau)
Previous 480's:
J123 CFU -- ES
J449 MNL -- ES auto
D864 CPV -- ES
L691 JFC -- Turbo
F70 MNR -- ES
H858 FGV -- Turbo auto
E981 KHM -- ES (509849)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
2008 Mini Cooper convertible (Mau)
Previous 480's:
J123 CFU -- ES
J449 MNL -- ES auto
D864 CPV -- ES
L691 JFC -- Turbo
F70 MNR -- ES
H858 FGV -- Turbo auto
E981 KHM -- ES (509849)
- brinkie
- 480 Connoisseur
- Posts: 857
- Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2014 11:20 am
- Location: The Netherlands
- Contact:
Re: 480 offset crash test footage
Audi's procon-ten system (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procon-ten) was so well engineered, Audi was one of the last manufacturers to incorporate an air bag in the design, as procon-ten was a more cost effective system to achieve the same results.
I have posted a 480 crash test video some time ago, this bit is interesting where lead engineer Frans Camperman opens the driver door after a rear impact:
https://youtu.be/2n7qx60pEVA?t=62
This is what Volvo used to give a competitive edge against the competition. For such a small car, the 480 was very safe for 1985 standards.
Robert.
Present cars: 1994 Volvo 480 GT 2.0i, 1999 Volvo S70 2.5 Europa, 2010 Volvo V70 2.0F Momentum
Present cars: 1994 Volvo 480 GT 2.0i, 1999 Volvo S70 2.5 Europa, 2010 Volvo V70 2.0F Momentum
Re: 480 offset crash test footage
Fascinating stuff, don't suppose the B2 got it?brinkie wrote: ↑Tue Apr 12, 2022 10:03 amAudi's procon-ten system (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procon-ten) was so well engineered, Audi was one of the last manufacturers to incorporate an air bag in the design, as procon-ten was a more cost effective system to achieve the same results.
I have posted a 480 crash test video some time ago, this bit is interesting where lead engineer Frans Camperman opens the driver door after a rear impact:
https://youtu.be/2n7qx60pEVA?t=62
This is what Volvo used to give a competitive edge against the competition. For such a small car, the 480 was very safe for 1985 standards.
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild