Audi of America announced that the Q5 and A4 models earned 2010 TOP SAFETY PICK ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
The two best-selling Audi models join the Audi A3 in achieving the highest safety recognition granted by the influential IIHS.
"Safety is a leading criterion for customers wishing to purchase a luxury vehicle," said Johan de Nysschen, President, Audi of America. "It is an important step that now three Audi vehicles are designated with TOP SAFETY PICK ratings, the highest number for a German luxury brand. In particular, the A4 and Q5 models are our highest selling nameplates, whose value is only increased by these IIHS results."
For the 2010 model year and beyond, IIHS included a new rollover roof strength test. To earn TOP SAFETY PICK recognition, a vehicle must earn the highest rating of good for roof strength in rollover crashes. To measure roof strength, a metal plate is pushed against one corner of a vehicle's roof at a constant speed. The maximum force sustained by the roof before 5 inches of crush is compared to the vehicle's weight to find the strength-to-weight ratio. This is a good assessment of vehicle structural protection in rollover crashes.
A vehicle earning a good rating can withstand a force equal to at least 4 times the vehicle's weight. Current federal standards require a vehicle’s roof to withstand 1.5times total weight.
TOP SAFETY PICK also recognizes the vehicles that earn the highest rating of good for front, side, rollover, and rear crash protection, and that have electronic stability control, which is standard on all of these models.
Checl out the 2010 Audi A4 and Q5 today at Brian Harris Audi in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette Louisiana!
