[quote=jpinpb]Granted, it was a prototype. I am no expert, but aren’t most sports cars lower? From what I’m understanding, all cars need to have a certain height requirement in the front thanks to a European pedestrian crash safety law – apparently too many people were dying b/c they were getting hit by cars and being thrown over the car (w/ a sharp, low front end that helps aerodynamics) – now, if you look at any sports car (MB CL, SL, or Maserati GranTurismo), the front of the car is very blunt and not pointed so that a person actually “bends” over the hood and doesn’t get thrown over.
I don’t think they drive on the opposite lanes in Germany.[/quote]
Well most of these exotics are lower to the ground. The LF-A frontal shape isn’t quote the same dropoff as the bimmer.
I question whether most exotics can handle massive accidents to begin with, considering most of the them probably are designed for speed and weight savings.
Same could probably be said for other exotics. for example, ie the San Diegans who died when their Carrera GT slammed into a wall.
And considering this was on Nürburgring, i doubt either cars were travelling at 40…More closer to 100. The other two folks (younger) in the bimmer are still in critical condition too.
Side note: germans drive on the right side. From the looks of the skid marks, it seemed like at least one of the cars was in the middle of the road. Perhaps both of them were. Who knows.
Disclaimer: not a fanboy of toyotas, nor do I necessarily believe in their safety record, nor do I think buying a LF-A is a smart thing to do(actually you can only lease them anyway, and Toyota handpicks who they want to lease too)…I just don’t think this particular incident adds/detracts to Toyota’s safety record.