Holy Head-on Collision!

[dmention7]

http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=96289.0

Summary:
Speed 3 involved in a head-on collision with a Rav-4 travelling the wrong direction on the freeway
Both vehicles traveling at 70mph
Rav-4 driver pronounced dead at scene; MS3 driver will make full recovery

MS3:
http://www.fmvperformance.com/forum_items/gallery/34469_03_12_07_1_58_47.jpg

http://www.fmvperformance.com/forum_items/gallery/34469_03_12_07_2_01_01.jpg




Rav-4:

http://www.fmvperformance.com/forum_items/gallery/34469_03_12_07_2_05_05.jpg

http://www.fmvperformance.com/forum_items/gallery/34469_03_12_07_2_19_14.jpg

[dmention7]

All I can say is damn.... that's a sturdy little car. Looks like the speed3 passenger compartment maintained integrity extremely well--the steering column collapsed, but the dash and front seats pretty much stayed where they were. On the other hand, it looks like the Rav-4's engine bay pretty much exploded into the front seats. And, ouch, you know what caused the steering wheel to end up like that....

[DrWebster]

Yeah, in the thread the guy said he was going 70, and the RAV4 was going 70 as well. He broke a few bones and has to go through physical therapy, but should be just fine. The lady driving the RAV4 died on impact. You know a car is engineered properly when the person driving the SUV is the one who's killed.

[mazdamn02]

After seeing that rav4 I would never ever let any one I know buy it and drive in the wrong lane.

[Big Nate]

I wonder if a reg 3 would have made it? There is a lot of extra bracing and and shit to stiffen the car up but they don't put that on the 3 that is not a speed. but we now the car can take a hit.

[mndsm]

Yeah, but ultimately, the crumple zone built into the front end of the car (regular or speed) was what did it. All I got to say is the speed3 is officially a damn tank.

[DrWebster]

After seeing that rav4 I would never ever let any one I know buy it and drive in the wrong lane.

Umm, I don't think I'd let anyone drive in the wrong lane to begin with.

I think the regular 3 would probably have done just as well. I've seen some of the threads on M3F of people who have wrecked their cars, and some are just as bad as this one. Chalk one up to Volvo's good safety design for the platform.

[WhiteSpy9]

Awesome post....

can't believe it made it a whole page without a "dude, can I have your wheels?"

[mazdamn02]

Umm, I don't think I'd let anyone drive in the wrong lane to begin with.


Bwahahaha, my subtle sarcasm pwns another one ;)

[JustROLLIN]

All I can say is damn.... that's a sturdy little car. Looks like the speed3 passenger compartment maintained integrity extremely well--the steering column collapsed, but the dash and front seats pretty much stayed where they were. On the other hand, it looks like the Rav-4's engine bay pretty much exploded into the front seats. And, ouch, you know what caused the steering wheel to end up like that....

The steering column is actually designed to collapse. That way, it does not puncture right through the driver's mid-section. If you ever take a aprt a steering column, you will find either a telescoping type of section, or a section that looks "weaved." The telescope will just retract while the "weave" section just gives out once a certain force is introduced to it. Just thought I would share....

And yes, I would imagine the crumple zones on a regular 3 would be just as functional as the Spd3. Or at least I hope they would be. :)

[mndsm]

Let's crash Joe's car and find out!

[Big Nate]

We can crash it into a bus. O wait.

[mndsm]

Owned!

[WhiteSpy9]

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii94/TheWalkingDude/2.jpg

[AJ]

My God! If the 6 is built anything like the 3 I can't see myself getting something else for a while. Wow, that Yota is fubar.

[mndsm]

Yeah, and the Toy had some weight and size onthe 3, and the 3 went destroyer on it. Given the severity of the wrecks seen in everal speed3's now, this has got to be the safest damn car on earth!!

[mazdamn02]

I lol'd at the shipment of fail picture.

[WhiteSpy9]

Question was raised if the non speed 3's would stand up similarly. Although not a head on, still impressed at how the interior looks...
http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=96881.0;topicseen

[dmention7]

I saw that thread too. It's crazy-impressive how well these cars are holding up in severe accidents!

[WhiteSpy9]

Barrel Rolls at 65mph FTL......