IIHS gives 2012 Audi A6, 2012 Volkswagen Passat Top Safety Pick award

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety announced today that the new Audi A6 and the new 2012 Volkswagen Passat have both earned its top safety accolade following good performance for roof strength in rollover crashes.

The award recognizes vehicles that earn the top rating of good for front, side, rollover, and rear crash protection, and that have electronic stability control (ESC). Both of these models have been redesigned for the 2012 model year.

“In the Institute’s roof strength evaluation, the roof of the A6 withstood a force equal to 4.9 times the car’s weight,” the IIHS said in a statement. “The roof of the Passat withstood a force equal to 6.3 times the car’s weight. The test assesses how well the occupant compartment would hold up in a rollover crash. Vehicles with a strength-to-weight ratio of 4 or higher earn a good rating.”

– By: Omar Rana