International models. Same car, same safety?
Discussion
I would imagine in terms of the Bodyshell they would be identical, a higher end model like the RS4 would have all the safety stuff wherever it is, where I would be careful is where somethign looks the same but is made under licence in a different factory with a higher local content, may well be the same but certain items may be specced differently or ommitted compltely, stuff like ABS and ESP, possibly airbags as well.
Europe to US, then in safety terms, yes, although there can be quite a lot of variation in engines, etc.
Europe to India, for example, no.
Generally higher end, lower volume cars will be as close to identical as legislation allows, whereas low end, high volume cars will justify the development costs across more units and a marketing position that allows the manufacturer to sell cars with different standards.
Europe to India, for example, no.
Generally higher end, lower volume cars will be as close to identical as legislation allows, whereas low end, high volume cars will justify the development costs across more units and a marketing position that allows the manufacturer to sell cars with different standards.
I think the monocoque part of the body-in-white tends to be the same because it's materially very cheap but expensive to design and tool up for. Beyond that, they can be dramatically different. It's amazing how much difference things like the strength of the windscreen can make to how a car stands up in a crash.
I guess the quality of steel used to manufacture the body-shell might vary even if the design and construction is the same. I've no idea if it does in practice, though.
I guess the quality of steel used to manufacture the body-shell might vary even if the design and construction is the same. I've no idea if it does in practice, though.
Edited by kambites on Tuesday 8th July 17:56
The things that change sides - steering column, pedals, and their linkages etc, could cause some variation.
I'd imagine (but it's entirely a guess) that a car would be safest in its originally designed form - which for most cars would be LHD - and the RHD versions could be slightly compromised.
I'd imagine (but it's entirely a guess) that a car would be safest in its originally designed form - which for most cars would be LHD - and the RHD versions could be slightly compromised.
As you might have guessed, I am in the US and looking for a new car. Most US cars are shockingly bad in terms of design, engineering and (having done some research) safety. It seems the people running companies like Chrysler don't give a sh*t about their end user. For this reason, as much as any other, I want to stick to German or British cars.
I have had VWs before and liked them. Just want to make sure they are just as safe to buy over here...
I have had VWs before and liked them. Just want to make sure they are just as safe to buy over here...
There are some curious variations between identical models. For example, I remember reading that the E46 BMW M3 had its launch control set to a much lower rpm in the US than in the UK. This was because in the UK the warranty was invalidated if you used the l/c more than 15 times. In the US, where consumer law has a spine, no such rule was allowed to be implemented by BMW, so they had to set the rpm lower to mitigate the risk of a flood of claims for wrecked drivetrains.
Olivero said:
I have had VWs before and liked them. Just want to make sure they are just as safe to buy over here...
VW is one of the brands that builds cars in Mexico or the USA for that market, so is probably not one to compare to the European models (I believe something like the Passat is a totally different car USA vs Europe - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Passat_NMS )Truckosaurus said:
VW is one of the brands that builds cars in Mexico or the USA for that market, so is probably not one to compare to the European models (I believe something like the Passat is a totally different car USA vs Europe - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Passat_NMS )
I remember reading the same thing somewhere. Guessing it is a case of going model by model to figure out which are going to be ok.In terms of NCAP ratings etc a lot of it is down to passive safety like airbags, and warning systems for seat belts not being fastened and these do differ across markets and this is why the Hyundai i10 did catastrophically badly in the Indian crash test programme, but OK with Euro NCAP - same car from the same (Indian) factory, but the domestic market model has no airbags at all, and no ABS either.
As someone else said, US market VWs (Jetta and Passat in particular) can be totally different cars to the European models with the same name.
Really, you just need a Range Rover
As someone else said, US market VWs (Jetta and Passat in particular) can be totally different cars to the European models with the same name.
Really, you just need a Range Rover
You'll almost never get the same car country to country, especially where the US is concerned. Having lived and owned cars in the UK, Australia and the US, there can be a vast amount of difference, or some things very minor.
I had a Ford Ka in Australia,and it turned out the car didn't come with ABS as it was required to in the UK as AUS regs didn't require it and so Ford saved money by not fitting it.
As for VAG cars, the localized cars i.e. Passat and Jetta, and not the same as their EU counterparts and have very little in the way of c/o content. Diesel engines for example are prior generation EU engines for example, and the Passat bodywork is completely different. Buying a Golf GTI in the US gets you a genuine Wolfsurg car, but the engine is detuned to cope with the lower quality of fuel and, in Michigan at least, comes with all-weather tyres like most other cars sold in this state.
With all that said, crash tests are expensive so common cars will be as structurally sound as they are elsewhere, and typically airbags are all included.
I had a Ford Ka in Australia,and it turned out the car didn't come with ABS as it was required to in the UK as AUS regs didn't require it and so Ford saved money by not fitting it.
As for VAG cars, the localized cars i.e. Passat and Jetta, and not the same as their EU counterparts and have very little in the way of c/o content. Diesel engines for example are prior generation EU engines for example, and the Passat bodywork is completely different. Buying a Golf GTI in the US gets you a genuine Wolfsurg car, but the engine is detuned to cope with the lower quality of fuel and, in Michigan at least, comes with all-weather tyres like most other cars sold in this state.
With all that said, crash tests are expensive so common cars will be as structurally sound as they are elsewhere, and typically airbags are all included.
Sheepshanks said:
The things that change sides - steering column, pedals, and their linkages etc, could cause some variation.
I'd imagine (but it's entirely a guess) that a car would be safest in its originally designed form - which for most cars would be LHD - and the RHD versions could be slightly compromised.
The projects I've been involved in design and develop LHD and RHD simultaneously. I'd imagine (but it's entirely a guess) that a car would be safest in its originally designed form - which for most cars would be LHD - and the RHD versions could be slightly compromised.
Captain Muppet said:
Sheepshanks said:
The things that change sides - steering column, pedals, and their linkages etc, could cause some variation.
I'd imagine (but it's entirely a guess) that a car would be safest in its originally designed form - which for most cars would be LHD - and the RHD versions could be slightly compromised.
The projects I've been involved in design and develop LHD and RHD simultaneously. I'd imagine (but it's entirely a guess) that a car would be safest in its originally designed form - which for most cars would be LHD - and the RHD versions could be slightly compromised.
Cyder said:
Same, none I've been involved with have been designed for one handle first then for the other at a later date.
I've written that badly - I didn't mean there was a time difference in production, although the design starting point is LHD. That's why you get things like a slightly compromised driving position in some RHD cars due to the steering column and pedals not able to be aligned because other mechanical components are in the way.Similar (not safety related) to Merc being unable to offer AWD saloons in RHD as the steering column in in the way of where the forward drive shaft would go.
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