Crash: Euro-spec Roadster -vs- VW SUV

[A strolling player]

The guy who took the original photo told me the 3rd car (the cause of the accident) was a Toyota Avensis. I think the Wired commenters are just guessing.

He was wrong, it's a Prius. The dashboard is unique to the Prius, the wheels are used on the Touring edition Prius in the states and on other editions elsewhere, and you can see traces of the "HYBRID" badge above the side marker light.

For comparison:

 

[efusco]

I'm putting my money on the 3rd being a Prius. The interior is much more similar to a Prius than the Avensis.
Avensis:

Prius:

 

[donauker]

Looks like a Prius in skagman's other Flickr photo.

 

[efusco]

Looks like a Prius in skagman's other Flickr photo.

Oh yea, unquestionably. Touring edition judging by the rims.

 

[doug]

Well Prius it is! Also the other vehicle is a Toureg and not a Touran as he said either.

 

[pupopa]

@efusco, can you see the Volvo brand logo and style of the supposedly "Avensis"-dashboard?

 

[Picasso]

hmm

Looking at the pic above....Door would not open on Tesla, Window was forced down in track so driver could exit? I guess the electric latch didnt work so good anymore? Should cars have a backup release?

Did the Toureg drive away? Looks like it could have.

 

[efusco]

@efusco, can you see the Volvo brand logo and style of the supposedly "Avensis"-dashboard?

LOL! I think you're right. How about this one.

 

[samcarney]

Looking at the pic above....Door would not open on Tesla, Window was forced down in track so driver could exit? I guess the electric latch didnt work so good anymore? Should cars have a backup release?

Did the Toureg drive away? Looks like it could have.

The interior door release is mechanical. No electricity required.

 

[bobw]

Is that a seatbelt sticking out from under the driver side door? If it is, I figure the door has been opened once since the wreck.

And Toyota says electric cars aren't practical...

 

[edo]

Is that a seatbelt sticking out from under the driver side door? If it is, I figure the door has been opened once since the wreck.

Yeah, seat belts don't retract after a serious accident.

 

[mt2]

Hmm. Tying this together with another thread, I wonder if the Prius floor mat is at fault here.



.

 

[Jurvetson]

Tesla driver is OK

This is from Rachel Konrad, Tesla spokesperson:

"The driver stopped at a red light behind a truck and was hit from behind by a VW Touareg driving at 80km/hour at the time of impact. The Roadster driver walked away with minor bruises."

 

[doug]

"The driver stopped at a red light behind a truck and was hit from behind by a VW Touareg driving at 80km/hour at the time of impact. ..."

Welcome Steve. Yeah I've read that description but it doesn't seem to jibe with the 3 photos we have. The clear side view of the Touareg doesn't suggest any damage to the front and it seems unlikely it climbed on top of the Roadster from behind. The Touareg appears to have one of Roadsters hood fins jammed under the rear bumper, suggesting the front of the Roadster went under the back of the Touareg. But given how smashed the rear of the Roadster is, it was definitely rear-ended. Most likely by the Prius. Perhaps the "truck" the Roadster was stopped behind was in fact the Touareg.

I'm still amazed how intact the passenger cell is. One has to wonder how close the VW tires came to the Roadster driver's head.


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[edo]

One has to wonder how close the VW tires came to the Roadster driver's head.

Indeed. The tire seems to fit neatly between the top edge of the windshield and the rollbar. I can imagine some pretty ugly scenarios.:frown:

 

[DaveD]

Tesla Roadster, Toyota Prius, VW Touareg Crash in Denmark - All Cars Electric

By steen Joergensen #3, Posted: 10/24/2009
Hi
I am the driver of the Tesla in the three-way crash. I`am all right and as Jason writes above, both front and back crumple zones did their job wel. But Tesla could do better with the neck support on top of the seat, it was very hard on my head. But the accident has convinced me that the Tesla is a very safe sports car. There were no damage in the passanger compartment at all. The Tesla was brand new and had only been running for 400 miles and it was very sad for the owner, I had lent it from. Over all, 6 people went to the hospital, and after 3 hours we were all on our way home. 12 hours after the accident, my famely and I could enter the plane for a week holiday in New York.
I find it very interesting to read about the accident on different international web sites.
Please feel free to make some comments if you have any questions.
Steen (Denmark)

 

[dpeilow]

There are several versions of the story floating around, even within Tesla. From what I heard, a motorcycle was also involved.

At least all say the drivers were ok.


EDIT: Damn, it wasn't even his... I hope they are good friends!

 

[doug]

More from the driver.

I hit my head at the neck support, but I have not been suffering from whiplash yet. The doctors tell me there could be ocuring probems later, but not yet :O)
The Tesla was only 14 days old and i had ben driving it for 400 miles. A new roaster has been orderd and paid by the insurance company and will arrive in Denmark in about 6 months.
...
The driver of the Toyota Pirus Hybrid did not notice that the traffic was stopped in front of him (roadworks on the road). First he hit a motorbike, then me in the Tesla and I was pushed forward under the Touareg. ...
Thanks for all for intrest in the accedent and my health.

 

[dpeilow]

I bet the Prius driver was thinking "oh wow, a Tesla"


Sounds like the motorbike rider was very lucky too.

 

[TEG]

Not the way you want it to happen, but this did result in another Roadster sale for Tesla.