It's about frontal and oblique crash where only a fraction of the front is hit
http://live.wsj.com/video/auto-makers-rethink-car-safety/CE8994F7-CDFD-46CA-8A2D-F0C81D79EC1C.html?link=MW_hp_tboverticalx8#!CE8994F7-CDFD-46CA-8A2D-F0C81D79EC1C
If I remember correctly, Model S is reinforced with high strength steel and partial hits from both front and back were tested by Tesla (not to mention their pole intrusion testing that goes well beyond the standard tests). If the competition does business as usual and it takes 2-3 years for their models to be up to par (or at least close to) Model S in this regard, I think we have a real winner here.
Yes, I think that accounts for much of the S' extra weight. Fortunately, it also has the power to toss it around!
More food for thought
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/safety-results-test-luxury-car-buyers-2...
“In a recent poll by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, 65% cited safety as their most important buying consideration.”
“It will take several years for the industry to resolve this new dissonance in the safety discussion.”
“Car makers won’t have much time to respond. By 2014, the Institute could withhold its “Top Safety Pick” designation for any car that flunks the small-overlap test, Lund says.” – wanna bet which one won’t have that problem? :D
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