Wheels 'Ford Mustang V8 scores ‘poor’ 2-star safety rating'

[Bucknaked]

Don't head your hit on the steering wheel then

[GTP534]

I think you'll find out in the real world it has had very little impact. The dealer I bought mine from has had no cancellations, increased interest, and very little in the way of fielding queries on the safety rating.

[P6LTD351]

Originally Posted by XWGT

Actually this is a complete PR disaster for Ford
Every forum I visit, every comments section, every review has the bogan "2 star ANCAP less than a Great Wall" comment.
Ford need to fix this NOW from a PR perspective or they are going to get trashed.

Nope. Those bogans weren't in the market for a Mustang anyway. Don't put too much importance on what you see on social media. It's a fact that the silent majority is exactly that....silent....and doesn't comment. The average person in the street wouldn't even know about these crash test results.

[XWGT]

Originally Posted by P6LTD351

Nope. Those bogans weren't in the market for a Mustang anyway. Don't put too much importance on what you see on social media. It's a fact that the silent majority is exactly that....silent....and doesn't comment. The average person in the street wouldn't even know about these crash test results.

I wouldnt be too sure of this
To start with the Mustang is only a $60k car, right in the bogans hunting ground
Secondly, every media outlet that wants a free kick and cheap story just got one. It should have been controlled much tighter than it was.

[P6LTD351]

Originally Posted by XWGT

I wouldnt be too sure of this
To start with the Mustang is only a $60k car, right in the bogans hunting ground
Secondly, every media outlet that wants a free kick and cheap story just got one. It should have been controlled much tighter than it was.

Let me put it this way....any bogan that was wanting a Mustang, is still going to buy one regardless of crash testing results.

What about the thrashing that Ford gets on social media due to the Focus transmission issues? Whilst the Focus has never set sales records, it really hasn't hurt Ford like you would think if you go by the comments on Facebook that disgruntled people leave on every Ford FB status. Ford's sales are actually on the up.

[Blue_XR]

There are media outlets that just want to be seen as taking the moral high ground. For what reason I do not know. Paul Maric on Caradvice said he would never drive one again. See the article below.

http://www.caradvice.com.au/517368/i...mustang-again/

I hope these so called journalists don't ride motorbikes because these would rate a zero in crash tests. At least in the car you are surrounded my metal. Also what about older vehicles, there are just so many variables.

At the end of the day, ANCAP can only simulate a crash. In the real world if your car is struck by a larger and heavier vehicle these tests mean nothing. Fingers crossed you live to tell the tale.

What this test fails to demonstrate, well at least in the case of the GT Mustang is that the 6 piston brakes would help avoid collisions with other vehicles and pedestrians. Should larger brakes be considered a safety item due to reduce stopping distances?

[.:4:.]

Cars shouldn't get extra points in a crash test due to things like blind spot sensors or white line sensors or any feature where it's up to the driver as to weather they choose to listen to the car, it should be all about how the occupant fairs in a crash. Things like airbags, dsc, abs and crumple zones all help the driver drive and the occupant in the event of an accident. If a person changes lanes without looking in the mirror with the blind spot light on and comes unstuck, then why does that car get a higher rating then the equivalent without? I haven't fully read the other 11 pages, so I may sound like a broken record.

[GTMOND]

F..ck me I was lucky to survive the 80s and 90s. I'm sick to death of the whole wrapping people up in cotton wool.
Believe it or not , I used jump on trampolines when I was a child without a 6 foot safety net.
I have 4 kids whom I love, but I sure as hell don't keep thinking what COULD or MIGHT happen.
Hell I do two up truck driving Sydney to Perth. Maybe I should quit.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by GTMOND

Hell I do two up truck driving Sydney to Perth. Maybe I should quit.

Now that's brave

[DFB FGXR6]

A question for those that understand the rating score process -

If the Mustang had safety assist technologies such as lane support systems, autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning and rear seat belt reminders what would it star rating be when combined with the crash scores?

Because as it stands now, without those systems, it can only be a 2 star car as pointed out by others. If it had those items, would the physical crash results allow it to be a 5 Star car?

[Sprint XR8]

Paul Maric's article has just been shot down by his employer Car Advice founder Alborz Fallah.

This now appears at the bottom of the article as the featured comment

" Alborz Fallah Moderator • 2 hours ago
Folks, for what it's worth. I would happily drive a Ford Mustang and put my own kids in the back of this thing. ANCAP has a lot of work to do with explaining its new ratings. This car would have scored 4/5 in the old scheme."

[4stanger]

I reckon, when you mention the words "ANCAP Tests" and ANCAP star ratings" most will picture cars crashing with the crash test dummies inside.

This thread is correctly titled with the words "safety rating" however I believe a lot are confusing it with "Crash Rating". I think ANCAP used to use the term "Occupant safety rating"

The Mustang has a poor "Safety Rating" based on its lack of warning tech to alert the driver of possible accidents from occurring. When compared with old data of the bench mark FG Falcon in occupant safety rating, the Mustang shows it has a better score with its results.

I think we should start a new thread with words in the title Mustang and Crash Ratings or Occupant safety ratings, too many are coming on here with knowledge from what has been spun in the media without checking and comparing the actual results.

When will they test the EcoBoost and the convertible

[GTP534]

Originally Posted by Sprint XR8

Paul Maric's article has just been shot down by his employer Car Advice founder Alborz Fallah.

This now appears at the bottom of the article as the featured comment

John Cabogan, stick this where the sun don't shine, you uncouth grub!

[CyberWasp]

Is it just me, or should you leave a vehicle crash, seeing less stars rather than more?

[bingoTE50]

Originally Posted by prydey

It scored 2 star due to lacking safety assist technology. Nothing to do with airbags or doors.

There are 4 areas tested. Pedestrian safety, adult safety, child safety and safety assist technology. They rated in order, 5 star, 4 star, 3 star and 2 star. Overall rating is whatever the lowest score is.

It's that simple. 10 pages and still people are getting misled by the airbag and door thing.

Not at all mate. But I want my airbag stopping me from banging my head on the wheel in an accident isn't that what its there for . They said the bags under inflated , so that is why I made comment Adjust the charge so they inflate normally and recall the cars in the field and fix them . Don't you think it may help the perception of the safety rating ?

[prydey]

Originally Posted by bingoTE50

Not at all mate. But I want my airbag stopping me from banging my head on the wheel in an accident isn't that what its there for . They said the bags under inflated , so that is why I made comment Adjust the charge so they inflate normally and recall the cars in the field and fix them . Don't you think it may help the perception of the safety rating ?

Well, the data says there is less chance of a head injury in mustang than in my fg, so that's good enough for me.

[Hemihunter]

Originally Posted by GTP534

I think you'll find out in the real world it has had very little impact. The dealer I bought mine from has had no cancellations, increased interest, and very little in the way of fielding queries on the safety rating.

Time will tell I guess.

[chrisandsharon]

Originally Posted by Stefan

http://www.caradvice.com.au/517339/f...h-test-result/

Well this makes it a lot clearer, than the wheels story....

Still not a great look and it should have done better than 2.

Seems Ford likely knew it was going to get smashed on this (pardon the pun)

Says it all......irrespective of opinion Ford will be all over this which speaks volumes. In the end it's the consumer that will end up driving a safer Stang.
Win win for all.

[roddy1960]

Originally Posted by GTP534

John Cabogan, stick this where the sun don't shine, you uncouth grub!

Couldn't agree more..Good excuse for the 'off' button on TV or online this bloke..Ain't it grand...
I watched his video on this , I cringed , he whinged and whinged and whinged..
He's not even constructive , just vitriolic and nasty..

[rjk74]

http://www.motortrend.com/news/tesla...safety-awards/

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by rjk74

http://www.motortrend.com/news/tesla...safety-awards/

Looking at the photo of that BMW i3, I know which car I'd rather have a head on crash in!

[ozrunner]

A snippet for those GM posters

A few days ago a WA Commodore Police car giving chase to a suspected burglar crashed into a house and knocked over the lounge room wall after smacking a few other obstacles beforehand.

Tonight's news update indicated the car has been taken away for mechanical examination by the Police as the driver advised its brakes failed so it hit the wall with considerable force knocking it down and entering the lounge area.

But now of more major concern to the Police is not ONE airbag deployed !!!!!

Mustangs do

They caught the offender today.

http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/un...01-gu394w.html

[MITCHAY]

Holy **** how did anyone survive back in the day. I was at the lights today and I saw a SLR5000 Torana with the drop tank. Despite my car being much safer I'd love to be in that car.

[.:4:.]

Originally Posted by MITCHAY

Holy **** how did anyone survive back in the day. I was at the lights today and I saw a SLR5000 Torana with the drop tank. Despite my car being much safer I'd love to be in that car.

The attention and noise of a loud slr5000 makes even trees jump out of the way.. no need for brakes or power steering.

[lra]

Originally Posted by rjk74

http://www.motortrend.com/news/tesla...safety-awards/

The crash tests are the same, so they should be all lumped together as 'vehicles', not just compared to other electric / hybrid vehicles.

[GTP534]

The BMW i3 was Wheels 2014 Car of the year.

It's listed as a 5-Star car on the ANCAP site.

It's very interesting if you look at the full crash test results:

Frontal Offset Test HCI:

Driver: Mustang: 93 i3: 395 Passenger: Mustang: 244 i3: 523

Side Impact Test: Mustang: 74 i3: 64

For i3 the following were not assessed:

Full Width Frontal Test
Oblique Pole Test
Child Occupant Protection
Rear Passenger Whiplash

Whiplash: Front: Both rated "Acceptable".

In Pedestrian Safety both are about the same, i3 was 20.82 out of 36 and Mustang 27.0 out of 42 - (different criteria).

There is very fine print in the Mustang report regarding rear child restraints - it is in fact a big disclaimer - the child restraints tested are relevant to the European market - for Australia the results should be used a guide only.

The so-called "Auto Expert" - John Cadogan - has not offered up one scientific fact to support his grubby, vitriolic rant - he calls himself an engineer but he's a pretty pathetic excuse for one if he really is professionally qualified - honest personal opinion.

All the punters see is Mustang 2-Star, BMW i3 5-Star - but it's hardly a level playing field.

[roddy1960]

G'day all,
I agree with you about the presence a SLR 5000 Torana had ..The sound and attention a Phase 3 GTHO too , kind of says
"Look out of the way boys , I'm here , coming through"..The Mustang regardless of this safety rating issue or not has a long long way to go to reach the status of a phase Phase 3 or a few other Fords I'm about to mention..Maybe one day in Oz it will ..It's only just starting on it's path here..

For the Red mob , even the VF Commodore GTS in all it's finery doesn't have that presence yet that an SLR 5000 or A9X or 327 Monaro etc had..

Imagine this (discounting the value issues of course ) having to choose between a last run of the darn great Falcon XR Sprint or an FG GT F or genuine "where it all started " XR GT , XW ,XY , XA , XB etc GT or an XC Cobra maybe.. Holy Grail for so many , the Phase 3 GTHO...

The late model cars for handling , driver comfort , safety and outright performance would be way ahead of the old girls but for many it'd be a real tough decision to decide on owning a real Ford classic or the last and the best , with huge honourable mentions to several top notch GT, Tickford and XR series cars in between..

The pure driver joy of a thumping unrestrained , loud , uncouth firebreathing Ford four barrel carby Ford V8 ,with dodgy brakes , no power steering and a tough as procreation manual or auto gearbox is addictive as my friend in an XB GT keeps saying...Just fun and these cars are now prized and cherished ..They made a legend , deserve a lot of respect and why they still create so much interest at car shows all the time..

I might be looking at this with blue coloured glasses but I don't think anyone is a true blue Blue Oval fan if you don't like the sound and angry grunt of any of the old school naturally aspirated Ford V8's..They are pure music... Not particularly safe by today's lofty standards but a heck of a lot of fun to enjoy
Cheers Rod..

[chrisandsharon]

I cannot see the point in comparing the Mustang to other vehicles regarding crash testing results. ANCAP etc are not in the business of comparing cars with cars, they have a standard that manufacturers should be aspiring to and test the individual car to that standard. If it scores poorly then so be it, no use saying 'oh but this car......'

FORD have taken notice of these results and will make changes - they couldn't give two shytes about what other cars are scoring, or what part of other cars has/hasn't been tested. Mustang is one of their biggest success stories, they'll sort the changes needed for a 5 star rating and the Mustang will be off the safety radar.

As for John Cadogan, cant see a problem. Irrespective of your opinion of him he's rant would have made it to the top of the FORD brass and will contribute to making the Mustang safer in the long run.

[MAGPIE]

Originally Posted by chrisandsharon

As for John Cadogan, cant see a problem. Irrespective of your opinion of him he's rant would have made it to the top of the FORD brass and will contribute to making the Mustang safer in the long run.

The rantings of a nutcase will have no effect on FoMoCo

[prydey]

Originally Posted by GTP534

For i3 the following were not assessed:

Full Width Frontal Test
Oblique Pole Test
Child Occupant Protection
Rear Passenger Whiplash

This is essentially the difference between ANCAP and E-NCAP. Any cars tested under ANCAP don't get tested under the above criteria.

child occupant protection in the past was always done simulating young children (under 6yrs) which required the use of a baby capsule of some sort. ANCAP don't use the data from these tests as there are no regulations in australia governing the type of baby capsule or the method to fit them. Isofix is becoming more common, but they can't test every different type of capsule or booster seat. I believe on the ENCAP site they list the the attachment method and the type of seat used. Perhaps the regulations in this area are more strict in Europe.

To me, even though it affected the mustang rather negatively, the move to larger dummies in the rear (6yr and 10yr simulation) is a more realistic approach, as one child is in a car seat and the other is not, meaning the only protection is what the car provides. The mustang test showed the results for the 6yr old were very good, and this would have a lot to do with the 6point harness and extra lateral protection of a child seat. For the larger dummy however it was quite an alarming result, no question. The problem for this car type is just simply the lack of space back there, but in general I think its good to have the rear seat occupancy tested to the same level as front. I wonder how the cars would perform if they used adult dummies in the rear?? Do they even do that already?? I don't know.

Moving fully to the E-NCAP system by 2018, which is the plan, will mean more thorough testing for all cars, which isn't a bad thing. Some cars might get labelled as unsafe, but Mustang has hopefully shown that rather than just look at the overall rating, look at the detail of each of the individual areas.

Having said that, these tests, while good, are a long way from perfect. They are merely a guide. The Adult dummies are one size and one weight. Cars are tested with the seat a certain distance from the wheel, and they are only relevant across the same category of car. a 2 star Landcruiser (hypothetically) would still be safer than a 5 star Yaris. The side impact test is done using a weight less than a tonne at relatively low speed. So while they are a guide and helpful (given all cars are tested to the same protocols), there are many many variations in the real world that can cause a vastly different outcome.

This mustang result for me personally has changed the way i look at ratings. To be perfectly honest, if this was a toyota or hyundai or something, i'm not sure i would have looked any harder in to the result, and no doubt would have joined the masses in pointing the finger at the 'poor' car.