Tata currently offers one of the largest ranges of cars with the highest Global NCAP crash test safety ratings. However, two of the most prominent cars from the manufacturer on sale in the market without crash test ratings are the Safari and the Harrier. Here is a crash between a 4-star NCAP rated Toyota Etios crashing with the Tata Harrier. Here is the end result.
The incident is reported by Nikhil Rana. According to the video, the Tata Harrier crashed into the rear of the Toyota Etios. The Harrier seems to be at a decent speed during the crash. It looks like the Harrier driver failed to apply the brakes on time. The rear-end collision shows the damage to both cars.
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The rear of the Toyota Etios is severely damaged. Whereas, the impact zone of the Tata Harrier seems to be perfectly fine. There are a few scratches on the bumper, where it made contact with the Etios. However, the rear bumper of the Etios is completely dislodged.
Bumpers are made to absorb the impact
Car manufacturers design the car in such a way that the bumper of the car absorbs all the energy during a crash. This allows the car occupants to remain safe and sound. The bumpers on both the cars involved in the accident did the job very well. However, the impact dislodged the bumper of the Etios.
Also, the Harrier being a much higher and bigger vehicle, the point of impact with the Etios, which is a sub-4m sedan was not perfect. Another sedan hitting the Toyota Etios at the same spot would have a very different outcome.
Interestingly, Toyota Etios has received four stars in the Global N-CAP tests. It makes the Etios as safe as the Tata Tigor. However, the Harrier remains untested at the moment.
Safety ratings are not determined by the damages
Safety ratings given by the manufacturers do not consider the severity of damages on the body of the vehicle. The safety ratings are calculated according to the impact received by the dummy passengers inside the vehicle. One should note that parts breaking does not signify a poorly built vehicle.
It is the cabin and the structure of the vehicle that decides the safety ratings. Modern cars are designed with crumple zones that absorb most of the impact of a crash and ensure that the passengers feel minimal shock. The cabin is designed in such a way that it does not crumble during an accident and keeps the passengers from crushing during a high-impact accident.
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