ADVANCE

[YO]

Acura Achieves Another Historic First in Safety Testing

Entire Acura Line-up Receives Top Safety Ratings from NHTSA and IIHS for Crash Worthiness
TORRANCE, Calif. - 03/31/2009

For the first time in the history of automotive safety crash testing, an automobile nameplate has simultaneously earned top government and IIHS safety ratings for every vehicle in its line-up.

On March 25, 2009, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA*), as part of its New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) testing, awarded the all-new 2009 Acura TL performance luxury sedan a 5-Star rating - its top rating - for side impact crash safety for both front and rear passenger seating positions. In earlier NHTSA testing, the 2009 TL achieved top safety ratings (a 5-Star rating for frontal crash performance for both driver and front passenger along with a 5-Star rating for Rollover resistance) meaning the 2009 TL now ranks as a top performer in all governmental safety ratings.

In November 2008 the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the 2009 Acura TL performance luxury sedan its top safety rating of "GOOD" for Frontal Offset Crash Test, Side Impact Crashworthiness Evaluation (SICE) and Rear Crash Evaluation. Furthermore, all Acura vehicles employ Vehicle Stability Assist? (VSA?), an electronic stability control system that, when combined with GOOD ratings in Frontal, Side and Rear crash protection allow every 2009 Acura model to earn the IIHS' prestigious TOP SAFETY PICK rating.

"Acura's achievement means that no matter which Acura model buyers choose, they're getting a high level protection for the most common types of real-world crashes," said IIHS president Adrian Lund.

The 2009 TL's top safety ratings, combined with the rest of the Acura line-up's top safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, mark the first time in history that an automotive nameplate has achieved top honors for front, side and rear crash worthiness for all of the vehicles in its lineup.

"No other automotive brand has accomplished what Acura has, nor can make the safety claims that Acura can," said John Mendel, executive vice president of automobile sales. "When consumers think safety, they really should think Acura."

The NHTSA and IIHS safety ratings are a direct result of Acura's "Safety Through Innovation" initiative that is based on the brand's commitment to leadership in safety. The initiative's goal is for all Acura models to provide a high level of occupant protection along with injury mitigation to pedestrians, as well as increased crash compatibility with other passenger vehicles - regardless of vehicle size or price.

For 2009, all Acura models include as standard equipment the Advanced Compatibility Engineering? (ACE?) body structure along with a host of other standard safety equipment including Vehicle Stability Assist? (VSA?), anti-lock braking system (ABS), dual-stage/dual-threshold front airbags, front-side airbags with passenger side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS), side airbags for all outboard seating positions, front seats with integrated active head restraints, front seatbelts with automatic tensioning system and load limiters, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and Daytime Running Lights (DRL).

Acura's ACE? body structure is designed to help absorb the energy of a frontal crash, while also helping to minimize the potential for an "under-ride" or "over-ride" phenomenon that can occur during frontal impact with a significantly larger, smaller, higher or lower vehicle. ACE? channels frontal crash energy to both upper and lower structural elements, including the floor frame rails, side sills and A-pillars. These specially engineered load pathways help distribute frontal impact forces through a greater percentage of the vehicle's total structure and away from the passenger compartment.

Acura engineers have the advantage of being able to utilize two ultra-sophisticated crash test facilities, including the world's first indoor multi-directional car-to-car crash testing facility, located in Tochigi, Japan. This facility has played a crucial role in the development of enhanced designs for occupant and pedestrian safety as well as vehicle-to-vehicle compatibility.

Acura engineers also utilize the company's Raymond, Ohio, Automotive Safety Research Facility to perform advanced testing on all U.S.-developed models. The facility features the world's first pitching test sled, which aids efficiency by enabling economical, repeatable and quick crash test simulations with certain interior safety components (such as seats and seatbelts) prior to conducting a crash test with an actual vehicle. The lab also features one of the world's highest resolution impact barriers, which enables precise measurement of the distribution of impact load forces on a vehicle allowing for even more advanced vehicle designs.

Acura has been the first to market on many safety technologies including: the first production vehicle in the U.S. to offer a 4-channel anti-lock braking system; the first car to have dual-stage driver- and passenger-side airbags; the first luxury SUV to receive a 5-Star crash safety rating from NHTSA; and the first production vehicle to offer Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS) that varies the deployment of the passenger side airbag depending on the occupant's body location.

As part of its commitment to improving safety for all road users, Acura has also led the U.S. industry in the application of features designed to reduce injuries to pedestrians in a collision (such as collapsible hood hinges and breakaway windshield wiper pivots) with a focus on reducing severe head injuries which account for 60 percent of pedestrian fatalities. In addition, the company sought to better understand the dynamics of pedestrian collisions, thus it developed the POLAR II safety test dummy which is widely recognized as the world's most advanced pedestrian safety test dummy.

[the Teuton]

If they weren't all so ugly, I'd be excited.  Good for Honda.

[Catman]

If they weren't all so ugly, I'd be excited.  Good for Honda.

I was thinking the same.

[giant_mtb]

The TL rates so well because the katana blade on the front just cuts through whatever's in the way, leaving the rest of the car perfectly intact.

[Submariner]

The rear of the TL looks like some space monsters vagina.

It's SO hideous, that it's actually a deterrent.  NO ONE can miss that monstrosity.

[cawimmer430]

I've never even seen an Acura in my life! 


Kudos to Acura though. 

[Laconian]

Acura rides entirely on the coattails of the Accord. Top safety across the "entire Acura lineup"  is not an accomplishment.

[YO]

accord doesn't even meet this standard... try again...

Acura rides entirely on the coattails of the Accord. Top safety across the "entire Acura lineup"  is not an accomplishment.

[Laconian]

accord doesn't even meet this standard... try again...

TSX, RDX: http://www.euroncap.com/results/honda/accord/2009/351.aspx
TL, MDX: http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2001/03/22/017174.html, http://www.iihs.org/ratings/ratingsbyseries.aspx?id=276

You're wrong, both Accords did receive top ratings, which means that 80% of Acura's lineup essentially get that level of safety with little additional R&D required.

(of course the RDX and MDX require additional protections since they are tippy SUVs and need additional protections in the event of a rollover - but still, a 5 star sedan is a starting point.)

[YO]

jesus... the AMERICAN accord...

TSX, RDX: http://www.euroncap.com/results/honda/accord/2009/351.aspx
TL, MDX: http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2001/03/22/017174.html, http://www.iihs.org/ratings/ratingsbyseries.aspx?id=276

You're wrong, both Accords did receive top ratings, which means that 80% of Acura's lineup essentially get that level of safety with little additional R&D required.

(of course the RDX and MDX require additional protections since they are tippy SUVs and need additional protections in the event of a rollover - but still, a 5 star sedan is a starting point.)

[Laconian]

jesus... the AMERICAN accord...

Yeah, I posted links for that too.

[Submariner]

[Laconian]

You know what, a decepticon logo in place of the Acura badge would immediately make the car 10x better.

[YO]

the American Accord is not 5X5 stars

Yeah, I posted links for that too.

[sportyaccordy]

TL is still ugly as dog shit. I don't care if it has double the Civic Hybrid's gas mileage and can beat a GT-R around the ring on all seasons.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

TL is still ugly as dog shit. I don't care if it has double the Civic Hybrid's gas mileage and can beat a GT-R around the ring on all seasons.

[CJ]

TL is still ugly as dog shit. I don't care if it has double the Civic Hybrid's gas mileage and can beat a GT-R around the ring on all seasons.

Sigged. 

[cozmik]

The TL really is ugly. i've seen one of two on the road lately, and I think my least favorite part of it is the rear view. They put that blade of death from the grille on the trunk as well, and it just looks retarted. I mean, it does make a bold statement with it's design, but not in a good way.

But good on Honda for making safe vehicles.

[Xer0]

Im kind of starting to like the TL from the outside.  It looks upscale and like nothing on the road.  I think the interior is fabulous though.

[sportyaccordy]

Im kind of starting to like the TL from the outside.  It looks upscale and like nothing on the road.  I think the interior is fabulous though.

It looks like nothing on the road like the Aztek looks like nothing on the road. Mundane proportions, the worst details I think I have ever seen on any car, ever... it's a shame because mechanically the TL is excellent and is probably the best car its ever been. A bit large and overhangy but fundamentally a great car. It's a shame. I miss the bland Acura designs we were used to.

[NomisR]

It looks like nothing on the road like the Aztek looks like nothing on the road. Mundane proportions, the worst details I think I have ever seen on any car, ever... it's a shame because mechanically the TL is excellent and is probably the best car its ever been. A bit large and overhangy but fundamentally a great car. It's a shame. I miss the bland Acura designs we were used to.

I'm getting used to the TL, the rear looks pretty decent actually.  It's the front that's something else.

[BimmerM3]

The TL is ugly as sin (actually, the front's not too bad), but I actually like the TSX.

[Raza]

The TL is ugly as sin (actually, the front's not too bad), but I actually like the TSX.

The front's not too bad?  The front is so ugly it's a hazard on the road.

[BimmerM3]

The front's not too bad?  The front is so ugly it's a hazard on the road.

It's fucking beautiful compared to the rear end.

[Raza]

It's fucking beautiful compared to the rear end.

I think it's worse.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

It's equally ugly from both ends! 

[sportyaccordy]

The TL is ugly as sin (actually, the front's not too bad), but I actually like the TSX.

If they had kept the old TSX's size with the new TSX's details they would have had an unstoppable hit. Especially with the big V6.

[NomisR]

If they had kept the old TSX's size with the new TSX's details they would have had an unstoppable hit. Especially with the big V6.

Americans want a big car.

[Submariner]

Americans want a big car.

Big car for big ass

[Xer0]

It looks like nothing on the road like the Aztek looks like nothing on the road. Mundane proportions, the worst details I think I have ever seen on any car, ever... it's a shame because mechanically the TL is excellent and is probably the best car its ever been. A bit large and overhangy but fundamentally a great car. It's a shame. I miss the bland Acura designs we were used to.

Yea, but the details of the Aztek made it look cheap, the TL just makes it look like a really ugly expensive thing. 



And I love that interior personally.