um, not sure your first statement is correct? There are many light cars that are hard to roll + many heavy SUVs that are easy to roll... I think the biggest factors are the height of the center of mass, and the capability of the car's suspension + feedback of that info to the driver...

In terms of what cars perform well in rollovers, it's got a lot to do with roof strength. SAAB + Volvo have pretty much always had very very strong roofs (they basically roll like bricks). Other brands less so (to varying degrees). Volvo + SAAB have advertised this (Volvo ad of 7 volvos stacked vertically on roofs, and Saab ad where 5 big guys drive up in a 9-3, get out, roll the car over on the roof, roll the car back on it's wheels, get in, drive away). There was a great test video from the SAAB crash testing facility of a 9-5 sedan on youtube where the car (that had previously endured a front end crash test) was rolled + it rolls about 3 or 4 times with little damage.

One final data point, a family member rolled a 1989 900 many years back. Nobody hurt. Similar accident 2 years ago, different (newer) car. Highschool friend of mine killed because roof collapsed. Sad.

So while circumstance does matter (some circumstances are extreme), yes, it is all about design.

As a related note, SAABs are designed to withstand moose impact. Google "moose crash" images + you will find a bunch of american cars with moose sized holes through the entire car, torn off roofs etc. You'll also find pictures of the SAAB moose test. Contrast that with the photo of a 900 that hit a moose below...

James...

posted by 216.59.254...

• Rollovers and car weight, steve, Sun, 17 Jan 2010 20:30:35
  • Re: Rollovers and car weight, EGD , Mon, 18 Jan 2010 17:36:04
  • "Lighter cars easier to roll" Are they?, ursaw, Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:40:09
    • Re: "Lighter cars easier to roll" Are they?, jp498, Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:45:39
      • Re: "Lighter cars easier to roll" Are they?, JimBlake , Wed, 20 Jan 2010 06:23:35
        • Re: "Lighter cars easier to roll" Are they?, jp498, Wed, 20 Jan 2010 19:07:53
          • Re: "Lighter cars easier to roll" Are they?, JimBlake , Thu, 21 Jan 2010 08:27:06
            • Re: "Lighter cars easier to roll" Are they?, jp498, Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:20:36
              • Re: "Lighter cars easier to roll" Are they?, JimBlake , Fri, 22 Jan 2010 07:04:26
  • Depends on the design, Bruce, Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:16:11
  • Why do you say lighter cars are easier to roll?, Noel, Mon, 18 Jan 2010 09:15:25
    • Re: Why do you say lighter cars are easier to roll?, steve, Mon, 18 Jan 2010 10:10:53
      • Re: Why do you say lighter cars are easier to roll?, James, Mon, 18 Jan 2010 12:11:27
      • Wheel direction & Steering, Noel, Mon, 18 Jan 2010 12:05:43
  • Re: Rollovers and car weight, James, Mon, 18 Jan 2010 07:56:14 <-- Viewing This Message
    • Don't roll a Mustang..., BlaaSaab, Mon, 18 Jan 2010 08:20:46
      • Interesting to read the thread with the pix, Noel, Mon, 18 Jan 2010 09:24:16

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