The safety credentials of the Tesla Model S were proved by the crash tests carried out in America, and now confirmed across the pond via Euro NCAP.
The Model S went through the usual barrage of tests and came out the other side with a maximum five-star rating.
The Model S impressed all round, offering excellent protection for occupants and pedestrians alike (it has an “active bonnet” that rises in the event of an impact, lessening the blow). It’s only the outer edges of the bonnet that present a real hazard to people outside.
There was a slight issue with the passenger airbag not inflating correctly and allowing the occupant’s head to come into contact with the fascia, but this was immediately tracked down and fixed – it was a software calibration error that won’t be making its way to customer cars.
As for structural rigidity, the electric sedan achieved the maximum all round, the only area where it wasn’t excellent was chest protection in the side impact test. See it deform in the video posted below.