2013 Mercedes-Benz G Class

Smart sets out to prove safety of ForTwo with wrecking ball ad

 
10 1,357 views May 2, 2008
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Smart sets out to prove safety of ForTwo with wrecking ball ad

Smart sets out to prove safety of ForTwo with wrecking ball ad

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Smart has set out to quash the perception that its diminutive ForTwo runabout is unsafe by launching a new advertising campaign in the UK where the car is hit with a one-ton wrecking ball. Marketers hope the new ads will change the perception of new car buyers in regards to the ForTwo’s safety levels.

The new campaign shows a ForTwo coming out relatively unscathed after being hit with a one-ton wrecking ball traveling at 25mph (40km/h). The image shows the effect of the car’s ‘tridion’ steel safety cell and how it absorbs most of the impact. The whole time a stuntman sits in the car without any safety helmet or harness and after the hit he was able to open both doors and the car could be driven away.

Last month NHTSA crash testing of the ForTwo in the U.S. showed that the car scores four out of five stars for driver protection in a frontal impact, but only three stars for the passenger – equating to a 21 to 35% change of serious injury. Worse, the rating is based on a collision with a similarly-sized car - a near impossibility, statistically, on American roads.

Side-impact ratings are a perfect five stars, however, despite the door popping open during the test. Roll-over resistance scores a mere three stars again, likely thanks to its short, narrow wheelbase and high center of gravity.

Smart has a launched a new microsite for the campaign, which you can view by clicking here.
Smart ForTwo wrecking ball ad

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Comments (10)

  1. By chris Posted: 5/2/2008 9:15am PDT

    Its kind of odd that even in GB they have a problem getting over the stigma of this being too small of a car. I can't imagine what it is like here in NA.
     
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  2. By Gus Posted: 5/2/2008 9:48am PDT

    As long as you hit a one ton wrecking ball that hits you square in the bumber and not higher, you should be fine...

    This is Smart realizing that it's reputation is already on the ropes, otherwise they wouldn't try a stunt like this.
     
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  3. By Roy Posted: 5/2/2008 12:41pm PDT

    One ton wrecking ball =/= Three ton SUV

    More weight.
    More speed.
    Higher point of impact.
    Plus the SUV was probably piloted by a high movie starlet.
     
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  4. By Gus Posted: 5/2/2008 1:22pm PDT

    What are you smoking? I want some...
    The wrecking ball hit exactly where Smart wanted it hit, right below the bumper. I'm sure a three ton SUV (which is full size, like an Expedition or Tahoe) would not only hit right about halfway up the window, but would send this little car into next week...
     
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  5. By Roy Posted: 5/2/2008 5:03pm PDT

    Sorry, I guess it is a little confusing. It's hard to get an equals sign with a line through it, which means not equal. Gus, you and I are in complete agreement, and I (apparently!) couldn't have said it better myself...
     
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  6. By Gus Posted: 5/2/2008 6:17pm PDT

    Ah, now I see what you were trying to say... :)
     
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  7. By vb Posted: 5/4/2008 11:56am PDT

    Well, there's only one solution to this probelm.
    Get rid of those senseless SUVs.
     
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  8. By Raptor Posted: 5/4/2008 2:36pm PDT

    Get rid of SUVs? Dude, communism sux, we had it over 4 decades.

    While Americans enjoyed fruits of muscle car era, we drove ugly pathetic boxes with 30 hp maschines that barely moved cars, if you can call them that way. Ever heard of Yugo? Tipe yugo commercial into Youtube and look at that pathetic piece of crap. And it was probably the best car we ever had.

    Lucky for me I was born towards the end of that era.

    If people want to drive SUVs, then let them. If you feel unsafe, buy a Volvo or something.
     
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  9. By Gus Posted: 5/4/2008 7:54pm PDT

    Freedom. The people who appreciate it most are the people who have (or have had) the least.

    Ban should be a 4 letter word...
     
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  10. By vb Posted: 5/5/2008 12:00pm PDT

    http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=UI8L7Ep48LI
    I guess driving this is way more fun than driving an F-150.
    Don't get me wrong, everybody should be free to drive whichever car he wants and those classic American muscle cars are some of the best looking cars ever, but everyone should think about efficiency every once in a while. The new Volkswagen 2l TFSI engines for example can develop about as much power as a Ford 4.6L 2V V8. Yes I know, less torque bla bla, but you don't even need that much torque if your car wheighs half as much.
     
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