Conducting crash tests on vehicles is an inherently grim task. It involves assessing the probability of severe injuries occurring to individuals involved in accidents with your cars. Therefore, when making a video showcasing how well your vehicles withstand collisions, one might expect a serious tone. However, Volkswagen’s 1980s safety research film took an unexpectedly intense approach.
This 1984 production opens like a bleak Danish crime thriller, featuring somber views of busy streets, sweeping shots of moving cars, and dark, first-person footage filmed from within vehicles. This is all set against an eerie synth soundtrack that feels more suited to a horror movie. It then presents some sobering statistics: at that time in Europe, a crash occurred every second. Sounds quite alarming, doesn’t it? If you’re next, you definitely want to be in a Volkswagen, insists a rather authoritative voiceover.
The film serves as a platform for Volkswagen to demonstrate the safety of its vehicles, with a particular focus on its commercial vans and VW Bus, which featured cabover designs lacking airbags. While this might seem hazardous by today’s standards, such designs were commonplace in the 1980s. Volkswagen aimed to show that its cabover model was just as safe as traditional designs that included an engine compartment in front of the driver.
Viewers are taken through various safety measures implemented by Volkswagen to protect passengers in the front seats, including the van’s front impact struts, additional structural bracing, and a deformation bar. The bus even included a collapsible steering column to reduce the risk of passenger impalement. While these features may not inspire much confidence compared to modern safety standards, they were considered quite innovative for their time.
The film also emphasizes crash prevention, with Volkswagen highlighting the significance of effective brakes and a well-balanced chassis. A competent chassis can aid a vehicle in avoiding potential collisions, even when carrying loads.
Overall, this video provides a fascinating, albeit unsettling, glimpse into how safety tests were carried out prior to the advent of airbags and standard anti-lock braking systems. While Volkswagen’s vans were notably safe for their era, viewing the film today underscores just how far automotive safety technology has advanced. It also highlights how modern marketing strategies have evolved to present safety research more palatably, steering clear of creating fears reminiscent of horror films.
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