The 2009 Volkswagen Beetle carries forward the legacy of its iconic design, but how does it stand in terms of safety? While specific crash test data for the 2009 model year directly might be limited, understanding the safety performance of the New Beetle generation (1998-2010), to which the 2009 Beetle belongs, provides valuable insights. This article delves into the crashworthiness evaluations conducted on the New Beetle, offering a perspective on the safety aspects relevant to the 2009 Volkswagen Beetle.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rigorously tested the Volkswagen New Beetle, conducting frontal offset crash tests at 40 mph. Initial tests revealed an issue with the driver airbag, leading Volkswagen to revise the airbag design for models manufactured after June 1998. Subsequent crash tests, conducted with the updated airbag, form the basis of the safety ratings for the 1998-2010 Volkswagen New Beetle models built post-June 1998.
The overall evaluation for the Volkswagen New Beetle in these frontal offset crash tests was rated as Good (G). This “Good” rating extends across critical aspects of vehicle safety performance.
The structural integrity and safety cage of the New Beetle also received a Good (G) rating. This indicates that the vehicle’s structure effectively maintained its integrity during the crash, providing a robust protective shell for occupants.
In terms of driver injury measures, the New Beetle demonstrated commendable performance, earning Good (G) ratings across all categories:
- Head/Neck: Protection for the head and neck region was rated as Good.
- Chest: Chest injury measures were also within the Good range.
- Leg/Foot (Left & Right): Both left and right leg/foot injury measures were rated Good, signifying effective lower body protection.
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics were also evaluated as Good (G). This reflects the effectiveness of the seatbelts and airbag system in controlling occupant movement and minimizing potential injuries during a frontal crash.
Technical measurements from the crash tests provide further detailed insights. Intrusion measurements into the driver’s side occupant compartment were minimal. For instance, footwell intrusion ranged from 3 cm to 11 cm across different points, while instrument panel and steering column movement were also limited.
Driver injury measures, recorded through sensors on the crash test dummy, further corroborate the “Good” ratings. Head Injury Criterion (HIC-15) was measured at 241, and chest compression was 31 mm, both within acceptable safety limits. Femur forces and tibia indices for both legs were also within safe ranges.
In conclusion, based on IIHS crash testing of the New Beetle generation, the 2009 Volkswagen Beetle offers a Good level of safety performance in frontal offset crashes. The vehicle demonstrates robust structural integrity, effective occupant protection systems, and minimal risk of significant injuries in this type of collision. This information, while derived from tests on models within the same generation, provides a strong indication of the safety considerations built into the 2009 Volkswagen Beetle.
