Tesla MODEL S – Crash Test

The passenger compartment remained stable in the frontal impact. Readings from the passenger dummy indicated good protection of all body areas except the head. Analysis of the dummy kinematics showed that the airbag on the passenger side had 'bottomed out' i.e. there was insufficient inflation to prevent the head flattening the airbag and coming into contact with the facia, through the airbag material. Tesla investigated the issue and found an error in the airbag calibration software supplied by the vendor. Euro NCAP has been informed that this error has been corrected in all vehicles supplied to customers. Although the calculated injury parameters were not hazardous, protection of the passenger head was penalised and rated as adequate. Dummy readings indicated good protection of the knees and femurs of the driver and passenger. Tesla showed that a similar level of protection would be provided to occupants of different sizes and to those sat in different seating positions. In the side barrier test, the Model S scored maximum points with good protection of all body regions. In the more severe side pole test, dummy measurements of rib compressions indicated marginal protection of the chest. Protection against whiplash injury in the event of a rear-end collision was rated as good for the front and rear seats.

The Model S scored maximum points for its protection of the child dummies in the dynamic tests. Both dummies were seated in rearward-facing restraints and showed good protection in the frontal impact. In the side impact, both dummies were properly contained within the protective shells of their restraints, minimising the risk of head contact with parts of the vehicle interior. The front passenger airbag can be disabled through the user menu, allowing a rearward-facing restraint to be used in that seating position. However, the interface is not clear in all languages about the actions being taken to set the airbag status and the system was not rewarded. All of the restraints for which the car is designed could be properly installed and accommodated with the exception of the Group I universal restraint in the rear outboard seats. While the seat could be installed, the seat cushioning made engagement of the ISOFIX probes difficult. Integral child restraints are available as an optional third row in the Model S.

The Tesla is equipped with an 'active' bonnet. When the system detects that a pedestrian has been struck, actuators lift the bonnet to provide greater clearance to hard structures underneath. Tesla showed that the system detects all statures robustly over a range of speeds and the car was tested with the bonnet in the deployed position. Protection was adequate or marginal over most of the surface of the bonnet with poor results recorded only at the base of the windscreen and on the stiff screen pillars. The bumper offered predominantly good protection to pedestrians' legs while the front edge of the bonnet gave good results towards the centre of the car but poor results at the outside edges.

Electronic stability control is standard equipment on the Model S. A seatbelt reminder is standard for the front and rear seats, as is a lane departure warning system that met Euro NCAP's requirements. The Model S has a speed assistance system that can recognise the local speed limit and issue a warning to the driver when that limit is exceeded. The Model S is not equipped with an autonomous emergency braking system.

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[PaleHearse]

I had heard that when they did the initial inspection of the car following the pole test, they thought the machine had malfunctioned and not delivered the required force.

Nicely done Tesla.

[paulhendrix]

The safest car in the world also looks really gorgeous during a crash.

[gibbethoskins]

If I was ever gonna crash a sedan, I'd want it to be this one. Damn you bank account.

[IlIlIlIlIlIlIlIl-vh]

the rigidity it maintains during crashes in unbeatable

[KingOfGods]

I have this same car but a 2014. I got into a big car accident and this car saved my life. No car is perfect but my car was smashed a little on the front side. If it was another car I'm sure I would have been squashed like a bug. Luckily for me my insurance company covered all damages done on car.

[Evilolex]

Even the airbag is happy 0:20 (right side)

[hyylo]

this is the only american car i want. thank you elon musk for making this wonderful car. 

[terrythomas]

Take note GM this is how you build a great & safe car ! No re-call specials here !

[ddyracer]

This is amazing. Windshield didn't even crack, and the passenger is very protected. This car did better than any Audi or BMW or Merc.

[Heliosvector]

A moment of silence for all these Teslas that could have been given to us instead :_;

[ConWolfDoubleO]

Just came back to this from watching some Nissans crash tests, and holy shit the Tesla is a tank.

[LLLLLLLLLucas]

Impressive structural strength in the pole test

[XuWenchen]

that side pole test is really impressive

[chrisogrady]

1:35, that's not a crash, that's just a ludicrous mode launch XD

[baumfrei]

Great Car. Next week we will make a test drive with the Model S

[bloggulator]

It really hurts to watch this amazing, beautiful car being wrecked.

[peterambrose]

People say tesla is the most safest car and yet it recently recalled a airbag problem.

[MrMorsbach]

If only Paul Walker had a Tesla instead of a Porsche..

[brettcannon]

I have a new found respect for this car after seeing this

[gaboaaa]

dummies said: Wow was there a crash? LAst time ive almst lost my head and knees.