First Mitsubishi Passes New Roll-Over Test – Mitsubishi Lancer ES

The Mitsubishi Lancer has earned itself a top safety pick from the Insurance Institue for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The Lancer has become the first out of the Mitsubishi stable in passing the new roll-over test by achieveing a “good” rating. This particular test isn’t about getting all ‘demolition derby-ish.’ Instead, a large metal plate exerts a steady force upon the roof of a vehicle until it achieves a 5″ deflection, at which the testers then measure the amount of force required to achieve such a deflection and compare that with the weight of the vehicle.

A strength-to-weight ratio is then determined and currently, the US Federal Government requires a vehicle’s roof to be able to withstand 1.5 times the weight of the car, and in order for a vehicle to earn a “good” rollover rating from the IIHS, the roof needs to be able to stand up to four times the weight of the vehicle.