Last week, we reported on the Nissan Tsuru, better known to you and me as the third-generation B13 Sentra, which will finally be discontinued next year after 25 years on the market in Mexico. The carmaker has been under pressure by Global NCAP, which has been campaigning to get the car – which has scored zero stars in Latin NCAP crash testing three years ago – removed from sale.
Now, the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) in the United States has released a video of crash test organised in conjunction with Global NCAP, which pitted a 2015 model year Tsuru against the latest 2016 Nissan Versa sedan – the latter is essentially the US-market version of our Almera, replete with six airbags and stability control.
The Versa isn’t even the safest car tested by IIHS; although it offered good protection in most of its tests, it received a “Poor” rating in the institute’s new small-overlap crash test, and doesn’t come with autonomous emergency braking. Yet, the video shows a stark difference in safety between a modern sedan – even a humdrum one like this – and its spiritual predecessor that was last sold in the US in 1994.
The crash test put the cars in a moderate-overlap head-to-head collision, both travelling at 40 mph (64 km/h) – resulting in a combined closing speed of 80 mph (129 km/h). While it’s undoubtedly a big impact for both these cars, the driver in the Versa would’ve been a lot better off – the car’s structure held up, and the front and curtain airbags prevented the dummy’s head from hitting any of the hard surfaces.
By contrast, the Tsuru was practically decimated by the Versa, the occupant compartment crumpling up, to pardon the rather clichéd term, like an accordion. The dashboard and steering column were pushed very far back, and with no airbags to speak of, the dummy smacked its head first on the steering wheel, then the A-pillar. Its legs would have likely been crushed, too.
Global NCAP said that a driver in the Tsuru would have had a high probability of suffering life-threatening injuries. It added that it is likely that such a crash in real world conditions would have been fatal because there were no airbags in the Tsuru and the main structures all failed, fatally compromising the survival space.
“Our first ever car-to-car test clearly shows the importance of minimum crash test regulations. Mexico doesn’t yet apply them and the US has had them for decades. The lack of standards can result in the sale of unsafe cars like the Nissan Tsuru,” Global NCAP secretary-general David Ward said.
In April this year, Latin NCAP published a report showing that the Tsuru had been involved in more than 4,000 deaths on Mexico’s roads between 2007 and 2012.
Over here, ASEAN NCAP has performed a crash test on the original Proton Saga, with similarly devastating results. You can watch the video of it below, and compare it to the video of the crash test of the latest 2016 Proton Saga below that.
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Maybe Proton or ASEAN NCAP should consider doing something similar… it will demonstrate how far the new Saga has improved in terms of safety.
Sad to say, many people still believe that Proton cars are ‘tin milo’… what better way to prove them wrong ?
Sadly majority of ‘car experts’ in Malaysia think that if a car crushes less in a collision it is the safer one.
Those proton (wira, iswara, waja, saga blm, satria etc) on the road are dangerous and fragile. You can only find safe proton in showroom/warehouse for UV test (under the sun) for years. Proton is safe? I just can’t stop laughing lol!
The Toyota Hilux tested by Teknikens Varld failed the moose test in 2007, now the newer 2016 also failed the test. Hilux 5 star Ancap? I just can’t stop facepalming…
https://youtu.be/xoHbn8-ROiQ
There is already a video clip made by Miros showing how the new Saga VVT fared in offset crash test. Crumple zone played its function wellm passenger cabin stays intact. All doors can be opened to allow escape or paramedic access to rescue. Just click play
If Proton cars are so good, why is the business failing?
Simple logic. No need analysis or economic wisdom. If cars are good, it will sell well and company won’t go into bankruptcy and need several bail outs.
If toyota cars r so good, why is the business falling?
Simple logic. Bleh bleh bleh.
Toyota failing or not, no need talkok here. Toyota never ask pocket money from government. Toyota just don’t sell the most car in Malaysia only. But look at Perodua sales, everyone knows Toyota technology rocks. Don’t blame Toyota because you can’t afford it, work harder talk less!
I am from Future, and you are so wrong lol.
Proton is doing way better now dude!!
many leading car company still don’t doing good in the small overlap this, I’m not speaking for proton but it’s no way for proton to test their car in an IIHS way since it’s not available from the US market, IIHS will only test vehicle that they buy from the market, not that the car maker send their car to be tested…
so if you are looking that Proton to be tested in a IIHS way/standard, unless DRB HICOM make their way to market Proton there, the possibility remains at 0.
You’re talking small overlap when most cars in Malaysia even fail at regular tests! Learn to walk before trying to fly, ok?
Proton to be sold in U.S.? Swimming to mars is easier. Proton can’t survive without tongkat! Proton can’t even cross the border to Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia. Don’t day dream and talkok!
Almera is sold in US. Vios bila lagi?
Oh Almera , it should go to visual testing test first
awww my eyes, so hideous looking car
hahahhaha
Buy Almera b4 price hike !!
Safe, Practikal n Reliable, family frenly :))
Almera, serupa macam lalat bila aq tengok depan keta tu, mungkin sebab lampu dia yang sangat besar kot..salesman nissan cakap lampu besar ni adalah salah satu safety dri nissan utk capai 5NCAP yg mampu mengalahkan safety proton..salesmaan nissan ckp lampu besar giler babi ni meningkatkan aerodynamic keta tersebut , lalu mampu mengalahkan ride and handling proton..ayuhhhhh beli almera lampu besar
I recently asked a Nissan salesman at a car show in a Mall as to why the X-trail has only 2 airbags and he told me that airbags are actually dangerous which is why there are only 2 airbags!
If the airbag brand is Takata, he is right u know…
Go ask Toyota and Honda salesman, they will say Nissan X-trail is named that way because Nissan trailing them.
Old cars are meant to send you straight to heaven if you die inside them .
Not just old cars. Pre-facelift keli vios as well
How reliable the test? Comparison… one has been on the road for more than 20 years vs just came out from factory… Like ask 90 vs 20 yrs old do 100m sprint test…
the two Nissan in the IIHS test produced in 2015 and 2016
both are ongoing model in Latin America,just that the technology is not on the par side
imagine a 2011 Proton Waja CPS head on crash with a 2012 Proton Preve
The Tsuru is a 2015 model year, so it’s still new.
Both cars are brand new, just that one is a modern design (not even a very good one), and the other is an old design.
Hello Tan Chong, why their Almera got side airbags? Curtain sommore.
The 6 airbag car din come out so well. So whats the purpose of this test again?
We should sell Nissan tsuru here.
We had. Its called Sentra back then. One specimen still flying above TCMA segambut plant
When the Tsuru still looks better than the almera!
Jonathan, typo on “a old car” –> “an old car” :)
Fixed! Thanks for the spot!
In short, Global NCAP secretary-general David Ward is telling the Mexican to wise up unless the Mexican want to add to the statistics of 4,000 deaths on Mexico’s roads between 2007 and 2012.
the name Tsuru reminds me of one comic character named Tsururin Tsun of Dr. Slump comic book
why not crash the nissan tsuru with the old proton saga? let’s see which is better.
The B13 is almost two
full generation newer than the old (original) proton saga.
Doesnt take too much imagination to know which will come out on top. The 1982 Lancer Fiore Platform that the saga was built in was so soft that you would think it wasnt built to take any sort of crashes.
Which is kind of ironic. The Lancer (a172 1979 – 1984) and Galant (e38 1988 – 1992) of the generation before and after was built like a tank.
IMO, any crash at 40mph will be fatal. If you crash at a 10 ton lorry even if the lorry is at standstill, the result is unthinkable.
Most car rely on the chassis as their main protection. The designer/engineer relies on added protection like airbags, side impact bars for protection.
Even with 5 star NCAP rating, U will still die if U do not follow basic driving rules like NOT speeding or drive recklessly while intoxicated.
If only most people drive within the rules, there will be less accident/fatality. I guess I’m asking too much for all drivers to follow rules, Right !!?
Yes, is askin to much cuz MY pipu alredi says they wun willingly follow rules and regulation unless got enforcement, but if kena tangkap and denda they will create havoc cuz later say too much enforcement.
Any axia/bezza crash test video?
why Toyota car never test crash. takut ka Toyota !!
Albert says: ini godcars, jangan persoal.
This is our venerable Genting Highlands taxi which is still in use today?
Proton started on the wrong footing when it was 1st made.. owing to much profits to person’s with political inclination..now it has surely improved. This is the only way forward…it’s painful and slow but will surely reach the destination if it could sustain itself…it’s the fault of proton and it’s only right to own up and improve.
@Annamalai..”Proton started on the wrong footing..” can you elaborate?
i’ll think he try to blame tun mahaleel, they guy who become proton director after the 1st step down around 1996 till he also step down in 2005 i’ll think
during that guy period was the worse period for proton as car company
waja was a flunk, savvy sales pathetic, the infamous proton juara, then laughable proton tiara ,campro problematic, power window issue, tin milo and easily rust etc
it was so bad that’s why proton image stink till today