Club 80-90 Forums

In that crash test on Busman's site, thats a 2wd T3, so Im thinking the syncro is safer again given the chassis reinforcements and the bash plates and all that jazz. Id say a syncro would obliterate most modern cars nowadays.

That doesn't mean it's safer for the occupants though.

Injuries are caused by acceleration, in the case of an accident by decelartion. Hard to believe by looking at it but VW have incorporated a variety of what are usually called crumple zones and other inertia shedding features in the standard van. Adding loads of reinforcing in theory could negate these and cause the forces felt at the head of the driver to be more than in a standard van. Yes it may obliterate the other car but will you be around to see the damage?

I wouldn't worry though, clever chaps these Germans and they probably have done their very best to make the crash protection on the Syncro as good as it is on the 2WD.

Prob only in the severest of crashes would you get the crumple to the affect the syncro chassis.. the wheels etc would get ripped off much the same etc..

Oh.. apparently the T3/T25 is/was safer than a T4 or T5.. (prob not accounting for airbags etc) but that was only a comment someone has told me.. I dont know where the real data fopr that is..

Yeah you guys have a point. That said, id say the sheer weight of the syncro hitting another car would drive the other car forward, causing that to absorb the brunt of the impact instead, so youre effectively using their crumple zones instead. That said, if I was in a crash, I wouldnt want to kill anyone! I am a safe driver and i always drive with due care and consideration for other road users.