Official release from acuranews.com:

08/14/2012 – TORRANCE, Calif.

The 2012 Acura TL has earned a top-level rating of GOOD in the new Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) small overlap frontal barrier crash test, designed to simulate a collision between a vehicle and a fixed object, such as a utility pole, where only 25 percent of the vehicle’s front structure is engaged by the opposing object. The TL was one of only two vehicles to achieve the highest rating of GOOD among a group of ten models that were the first to be tested under this rigorous new crash test protocol.

“Acura is working continuously to advance the safety performance of our vehicles and to provide high levels of occupant protection through smart technology and vehicle design,” said Art St. Cyr, vice president of Corporate Planning and Logistics. “As one of the very first vehicles to achieve a GOOD rating in this new test, Acura illustrates the leadership of our vehicles in key areas that are important to our customers.” 

The new IIHS test involves a collision between a fixed five-foot-tall rigid barrier and a vehicle traveling at 40 miles per hour. This frontal impact test focuses stress on a narrow section of the vehicle, outside of the side frame, which is typically the primary energy absorbing structure in frontal crashes, and requires a strong cabin structure. According to a 2009 study by the IIHS, small overlap crashes accounted for nearly 25 percent of frontal crashes resulting in a serious injury or fatality.

In addition to the Acura TL’s frontal body structure, the front and side curtain airbags played an instrumental part in protecting the occupant from serious injury. According to the IIHS, “The Acura TL’s front and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structures or objects that could cause injury.”

Acura is in the process of incorporating the second generation of its Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure. This reinforced front frame structure provides further enhanced frontal crash energy management through a wider range of offset and oblique crashes. The result of such efforts will provide the capability to achieve a GOOD rating in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) new frontal small overlap testing, with new Acura model introductions moving forward.

All models in the current Acura line up utilize the Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure. ACE is an exclusive body design that enhances occupant protection and crash compatibility in frontal crashes. The ACE design utilizes a network of connected structural elements to distribute crash energy more evenly throughout the front of the vehicle. This enhanced frontal crash energy management helps to reduce the forces transferred to the passenger compartment.

Standard safety equipment on all Acura models includes Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with traction control, ABS, dual-stage/multiple-threshold front airbags, front-side airbags, side curtain airbags for all outboard seating positions, front seatbelts with automatic tensioning system and load limiters, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and Daytime Running Lights (DRL).

Acura’s “Safety Through Innovation” initiative is based on the brand’s commitment to leadership in safety— and excellent safety is a paramount element in every new vehicle that Acura builds. The initiative’s goal is for all Acura models to provide a high level of safety.

[Source: Acura]