Mr Belcher and Ms Tylko presented an updated summary of the joint Australian and Canadian pole side impact crash test research (PSI-06-04). This update focused on results of oblique and perpendicular pole side impact tests of Australian and Canadian market Fiat 500s.

It was noted that the Australian and Canadian market Fiat 500s were fitted with different airbag control modules, different side impact sensors (the Canadian model had a pressure sensor) and different side airbags. In particular, the Canadian market vehicle seat mounted thorax airbag was noted to provide more coverage of the WorldSID shoulder, upper arm and lower pelvis. The side airbags were observed to deploy earlier in the Canadian model. The side airbags in the Canadian model were of similar appearance to the side airbags shown in photos of US NCAP tested Fiat 500s. The main performance difference between the Australian and Canadian market vehicles was a substantially reduced thorax injury risk for the Canadian market vehicle. Repeated oblique pole side impact tests of the Canadian market Fiat 500 showed good repeatability.

Mr Hogan noted that the Australian market vehicle was a 5 star ANCAP rated vehicle and that it seemed likely that the North American vehicles had been engineered for different crash test requirements, which would include the FMVSS 214 pole test. Differences may therefore be at least in-part due to US pole side impact performance requirements.

Mr Limmer noted that the US Fiat 500 had also performed well in the IIHS side impact test.

ACTION: Australia/Canada to do further analysis of Australian and Canadian market Fiat 500 pole side impact test results for next meeting.