This is not an Insignia=Saab thing. Don’t make it out to be that.

BUT considering the next Saab 9-5 is going to be built on the same architecture as the Opel Insignia, it’s interesting to note that the Insignia’s just been awarded the maximum 5 stars by Euro NCAP, achieving 35 of a possible 37 points on their test scale.

There’s always this little fear in the back of my mind with a potential new model. What if it doesn’t live up to Saab’s reputation for safety?

Knowing that this architecture is capable of such a good result, and knowing that Saab’s engineering boffins won’t leave a stone unturned or make a single compromise on safety gives me a lot of confidence that when we see the 9-5, it’ll be the safest car it can possibly be.

Of course, most companies are doing pretty well on safety these days. There’s really no excuse not to with so much at stake and the public having so much access to safety data. I wonder how much Saab’s safety credentials and experience have contributed to the development of new GM cars in Europe and elsewhere?

Congratulations to the Opel guys and bring it on, Saab!!

I woke up to this in my inbox this morning from Saab USA. It’s been a fascinating learning experience but I think they’ll shed no tears if we move on to other topics….

Saab, nor GM have ever conducted crash tests using cadavers. We do not even have the facilities/capability in which to do so.

However, GM and other manufacturers are involved in partnerships in which funds are provided to conduct bio-mechanical research, usually through universities. Research data, often made public at conferences, is used by Saab and GM to advance our efforts in crash-test dummy technology to protect human lives.

So there you go.

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I was hesitant about the title, but Mel Brooks recently reminded me that you can laugh about anything.

I don’t want to spend any more entries on this as I find it a tad distasteful, but I thought a follow-up was worthwhile for the very curious story earlier stating that GM has just wrapped up a program of safety testing, involving Saab and the use of human cadavers.

I just found the thought of what the testing scientists go through in that scenario to be pretty gross.

Anyway, from people’s comments on the article, it appears that this is not a new, nor an objectionable thing. People have, after all, been donating their bodies to science after they pass away for many years now. I just never pictured them being used like this.

I received a note via email from one guy who preferred to comment privately, but I think it’s a worthwhile explanation to share here:

The regular dummy models are just a means to measure acceleration etc. in an accident. They are not very predictive when it comes to breaking of bones or fracture of internal organs. This is something EVERY car manufacturer needs to investigate in more detail now and in the future. So one means is to use cadaver-tests. Alternatively computer methods may be used – but for them to be predictive you need to validate the model. Again: One needs cadaver tests to do that. So it is nothing uncommon.

Consider it good to have SAAB on it (within GM), because the guys in TRollhattan are very, very knowledgable and good engineers.

I guess this is one of those rare times that I’m glad I took a commerce course…..

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I also thought MitchBC’s comment was worth bringing to the front page, too:

The side curtain airbags in my 2008 9-7x Aero deployed for no reason on Tuesday May 6. My wife was driving. She was not physically hurt but very scared. The interior has $5K+ damage per informal dealer estimate. OnStar worked as advertised.

Does this count as human testing?

Hey GM, you owe us a phone call.

A commendation to Mrs MitchBC for not swerving and flipping the car under those circumstances. I would have lost about three pounds instantly!!

I looked at this and figured it must be April fools day all over again!

This story is showing up on my feed reader, however I’m unable to view the full story due to the firewall sitting in front of my PC forbidding access (therefore, take care before searching for it yourselves).

I’m unsure as to the source of the story, and the accuracy of it, but it’s curious nonetheless. And more than a little distasteful and gruesome.

I know that Saab have, for a long time now, used real life crash data as a means of studying accidents and furthering safety. But this seems like something completely beyond that.

I’m quite sceptical about it and won’t be suprised if I get an email saying “don’t be rediculous”. But……

Anyone have any further ideas?

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UPDATED!!

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Automobile Magazine have slotted a post into their online blog covering Saab’s moose test. I’d imagine most visitors here would be familiar with the moose test, but just in case…..

In addition to the usual battery of side-impact, head-on, and offset crash tests, the engineers at Saab subject the car to a simulated encounter with an elk at speed…..the elk is actually an 850 pound bundle of metal and lumber wrapped up in a blanket. But it is propped up on stands to approximate the correct height and center of gravity for a real elk.

Saab engineers have been running this test for years and it’s one of the reasons your Saab is so stucturally sound.

That’s interesting enough for those who didn’t know about the moose test (or elk, as they call it here). What I found more interesting is that this has appeared in Automobile in the month where Saab have opened the wallet for some serious advertising.

Maybe money can buy you love, after all?

I’m not complaining. I think it’s great that SaabUSA are advertising their product again and if they get some routine content as a bonus then that’s great. More people get to read more stuff about Saab.

At the end of the day, it’s more of a reflection on Automobile’s policies than anything else. Interesting stuff.

UPDATE

Well whaddayaknow?!

Now there’s an article at Automobile Mag’s blog on the difference between turbocharging and supercharging, with the noted turbocharging compay being none other than good ole Saab!

More ads! More ads, I say!!!

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Related post – Saab’s Moose Test in detail

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Spotted today by Simon A here in Australia. Who says Volvo own safety?

Click to enlarge…..