The Volkswagen New Beetle, a retro-styled hatchback beloved for its iconic design, underwent rigorous safety testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This report delves into the frontal offset crash test results for the New Beetle, specifically relevant to models in the 1998-2010 range, with a focus on the 2010 Volkswagen New Beetle Hatchback and its safety rating.
The IIHS conducted a 40 mph frontal offset crash test on the Volkswagen New Beetle. It’s important to note that Volkswagen refined the driver airbag design during production. The initial tests revealed an issue, leading to a revised airbag with a smaller vent hole. This revised design was implemented in New Beetles manufactured after June 1998. The official safety ratings are based on the second crash test, performed on a New Beetle equipped with this improved airbag system. Therefore, the “Good” rating discussed below applies to 2010 Volkswagen New Beetle hatchback models and those built from June 1998 onwards.
The Volkswagen New Beetle hatchback achieved an overall “Good” rating in the frontal offset crash test. This “Good” rating is the highest possible score awarded by the IIHS, indicating a strong level of occupant protection in this type of collision.
Specifically, the structural integrity and safety cage of the New Beetle were rated as “Good”. This is a critical aspect of crashworthiness, as it signifies that the vehicle’s structure effectively resisted deformation and maintained the survival space for the driver.
The driver injury measures were also evaluated across key body regions, and the 2010 Volkswagen New Beetle hatchback demonstrated “Good” protection for the head/neck, chest, and legs/feet (both left and right). This consistent “Good” performance across all driver injury measures reinforces the overall safety of the vehicle in frontal collisions. Furthermore, the driver restraints and dummy kinematics were also rated “Good”, indicating that the seatbelt and airbag systems functioned effectively to control occupant movement during the crash and minimize injury risk.
Technical measurements from the crash test provide further insight into the 2010 Volkswagen New Beetle hatchback’s performance. Measurements of occupant compartment intrusion on the driver’s side showed minimal footwell intrusion, with maximum intrusion at the footrest being 9 cm. Instrument panel rearward movement was also minimal, at only 2 cm on the left side. Steering column movement was measured at 3 cm upward and 2 cm rearward, and A-pillar rearward movement was 2 cm. These low intrusion measurements are indicative of a robust safety cage and contribute to the “Good” rating for structure and safety cage performance.
Driver injury measures from the technical data further support the “Good” ratings. The Head Injury Criterion (HIC-15) was measured at 241, well below critical levels. Neck tension was 1.3 kN, and chest maximum compression was 31 mm, both indicating low levels of stress on these body regions. Femur forces and tibia index values were also within acceptable ranges, demonstrating good protection for the legs.
In conclusion, the IIHS frontal offset crash test results demonstrate that the 2010 Volkswagen New Beetle hatchback, and models manufactured after June 1998, offers a “Good” level of safety performance. The vehicle’s strong structure, effective restraint systems, and minimal driver injury measures all contribute to this positive safety assessment, making the New Beetle a safe choice in its class.
