That’s a misunderstanding of what makes a vehicle safe in a front-end crash. Having a frame that’s too rigid would have the opposite effect on this kind of test. The moderate overlap test measures how well the passengers are protected - not how intact the vehicle remains. A rigid frame that doesn’t crumple would transfer nearly all the crash energy directly into the cabin, exposing the passengers to extreme deceleration forces. The front end of the vehicle is meant to crumple - that’s what absorbs the impact energy and protects the passengers.
Then I don’t know what other tests you’re referring to or what you’re basing the “deathtrap” remark on. IIHS is a non-profit organization that tests vehicle safety for both occupants and pedestrians, and the Cybertruck scored well above average compared to many other similar vehicles in its class.
In a front-end collision, you need enough rigidity to prevent the cabin from crumpling and crushing the passengers, but not so much that it fails to absorb the impact. Clearly, it’s not overly rigid - otherwise it wouldn’t have scored this well in the tests. It’s just rigid enough.
That’s a misunderstanding of what makes a vehicle safe in a front-end crash. Having a frame that’s too rigid would have the opposite effect on this kind of test. The moderate overlap test measures how well the passengers are protected - not how intact the vehicle remains. A rigid frame that doesn’t crumple would transfer nearly all the crash energy directly into the cabin, exposing the passengers to extreme deceleration forces. The front end of the vehicle is meant to crumple - that’s what absorbs the impact energy and protects the passengers.
Nowhere did I say it was too rigid for this test. It’s too rigid for many other tests, but not this one.
That’s the point. The ENTIRE POINT is this is the ONE test where overly rigid (but not insanely rigid) vehicles fare well.
Then I don’t know what other tests you’re referring to or what you’re basing the “deathtrap” remark on. IIHS is a non-profit organization that tests vehicle safety for both occupants and pedestrians, and the Cybertruck scored well above average compared to many other similar vehicles in its class.
In a front-end collision, you need enough rigidity to prevent the cabin from crumpling and crushing the passengers, but not so much that it fails to absorb the impact. Clearly, it’s not overly rigid - otherwise it wouldn’t have scored this well in the tests. It’s just rigid enough.