JD Powers owner satisfaction survey placed the Z4 first among sports cars. The Porsche 911 and the Corvette tied for second place.
Now the NHTSA finds the Z4 to be the safest among sports cars, and the safest of any production car in roll over tests, As well as being exceedingly safe in overall testing.
And apparently, though controversial (less so as time goes on) the car's looks, though a subjective issue, seem to be quite well accepted.....
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BMW's Z4 scores high on safety
Posted Monday, October 20, 2003 - 8:09 pm
By Jenny Munro
BUSINESS WRITER
jmunro@greenvillenews.com
BMW's Z4 has more than looks going for it. It took top honors in a national rollover test.
The Z4, which began production at the Greer plant a year ago, earned five stars for its rollover performance, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That's the highest rating given by the safety agency, and the roadster was the only vehicle to get the mark.
In addition, the roadster received a four-star rating in the frontal crash tests and 3 three stars in the side impact rating.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration tested the vehicle along with 20 others, ranging from compacts to sports utility vehicles.
Safety "is a big priority," said Gordon Kiel, spokesman for BMW of North America. The Z4 is the German company's first roadster to receive a five-star rating from NHTSA, BMW officials said.
Bunny Richardson, plant spokeswoman, said the five-star rating is "a testament to the design and manufacturing, but particularly the design," of the car. "BMW cars are known for the balance."
BMW designs both active and passive safety elements into the car, she said.
Keil said the Z4 is a rigid car with a low center of gravity. In addition, an "extremely rigid" roll bar is behind each seat. The windshield also is rigid, helping protect occupants as long as they are wearing seat belts.
"We do actual dynamic rollover tests," he said. "There is a lot of testing done."
The company also tests vehicles to meet the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which has more stringent requirements than the federal government in some instances, Kiel said.
"We voluntarily meet those tests," he said.
The BMW's X5 sports activity vehicle, also produced in the Greer plant, recently underwent NHTSA testing. The vehicle received five-star ratings in the frontal crash and side rear crash tests, four stars in the side driver tests and three stars in the rollover tests.
Hennie Chung, Z4 product manager, is pleased with the NHTSA tests and the Z4's earlier top scores in "appeal" to new-vehicle owners. The results were based on the responses of 102,975 new owners. The award is based on design, content, layout and performance of the vehicle.
"The Z4 couples the best of BMW's active and passive safety benefits, with technological advancements for outstanding roadster performance," Chung said.
NHTSA points out that even a vehicle with a five-star rating has a 10 percent chance of rolling over, especially in a one-car crash. In frontal crash tests, five stars means a vehicle occupant has a 10 percent or less chance of serious injury, four stars is an 11 percent to 20 percent chance and three stars is a 21 percent to 35 percent chance of serious injury.
In the side collision crash tests, a five-star rating means a 5 percent or less chance of serious injury, four stars is a 6 percent to 10 percent change, and three stars is 11 percent to 20 percent.
Tuesday, October 21
Peace,
RS
Now the NHTSA finds the Z4 to be the safest among sports cars, and the safest of any production car in roll over tests, As well as being exceedingly safe in overall testing.
And apparently, though controversial (less so as time goes on) the car's looks, though a subjective issue, seem to be quite well accepted.....
==============================================
BMW's Z4 scores high on safety
Posted Monday, October 20, 2003 - 8:09 pm
By Jenny Munro
BUSINESS WRITER
jmunro@greenvillenews.com
BMW's Z4 has more than looks going for it. It took top honors in a national rollover test.
The Z4, which began production at the Greer plant a year ago, earned five stars for its rollover performance, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That's the highest rating given by the safety agency, and the roadster was the only vehicle to get the mark.
In addition, the roadster received a four-star rating in the frontal crash tests and 3 three stars in the side impact rating.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration tested the vehicle along with 20 others, ranging from compacts to sports utility vehicles.
Safety "is a big priority," said Gordon Kiel, spokesman for BMW of North America. The Z4 is the German company's first roadster to receive a five-star rating from NHTSA, BMW officials said.
Bunny Richardson, plant spokeswoman, said the five-star rating is "a testament to the design and manufacturing, but particularly the design," of the car. "BMW cars are known for the balance."
BMW designs both active and passive safety elements into the car, she said.
Keil said the Z4 is a rigid car with a low center of gravity. In addition, an "extremely rigid" roll bar is behind each seat. The windshield also is rigid, helping protect occupants as long as they are wearing seat belts.
"We do actual dynamic rollover tests," he said. "There is a lot of testing done."
The company also tests vehicles to meet the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which has more stringent requirements than the federal government in some instances, Kiel said.
"We voluntarily meet those tests," he said.
The BMW's X5 sports activity vehicle, also produced in the Greer plant, recently underwent NHTSA testing. The vehicle received five-star ratings in the frontal crash and side rear crash tests, four stars in the side driver tests and three stars in the rollover tests.
Hennie Chung, Z4 product manager, is pleased with the NHTSA tests and the Z4's earlier top scores in "appeal" to new-vehicle owners. The results were based on the responses of 102,975 new owners. The award is based on design, content, layout and performance of the vehicle.
"The Z4 couples the best of BMW's active and passive safety benefits, with technological advancements for outstanding roadster performance," Chung said.
NHTSA points out that even a vehicle with a five-star rating has a 10 percent chance of rolling over, especially in a one-car crash. In frontal crash tests, five stars means a vehicle occupant has a 10 percent or less chance of serious injury, four stars is an 11 percent to 20 percent chance and three stars is a 21 percent to 35 percent chance of serious injury.
In the side collision crash tests, a five-star rating means a 5 percent or less chance of serious injury, four stars is a 6 percent to 10 percent change, and three stars is 11 percent to 20 percent.
Tuesday, October 21
Peace,
RS
would take to dispute whatever I wrote.
