'Elk Tests' and ESP

[Lutz]

The German ADAC recently carried out an 'Elk Test' on the Citroen Nemo and its sisters, the Peugeot Bipper and Fiat Qubo. Whereas the Fiat come through with flying colours, because it was fitted with ESP, the Citroen, without ESP, came to a sad ending:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcZBNJbu3aQ (sorry it's in German, but the video is quite spectacular)

The Peugeot wasn't tested after that because it didn't have ESP either, so one would expect the same result as in the case of the Citroen. Following release of the ADAC findings, Citroen and Peugeot announced that they would be fitting ESP as standard later this year, too.

 

[NigelHutson]

Very interesting. It just goes to show that the reason that there aren't more crashes has nothing to do with drivers' ability, but more to do with the vehicles' technology.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Nigel,

I think that your conclusion is rather over simplifies the situation. ESP has its limitations and even cars with it fitted can and do have incidents.

 

[NigelHutson]

John,

I perfectly agree with you that vehicles with all the wizzardry still have crashes, and the reason for that is generally, without exception, the nut holding the wheel.

However, as shown in the Elk Test, vehicles fitted with this technology can get the worst driver out of a situation that they would be totally incapable of doing without it.

The driver is always the weak link in the chain.

 

[Dustydog]

Electronic Stability Programme was fitted to my previous car. I think, and I mean think , it only worked once when I had taken a corner a bit too fast , one of the front brakes stabbed on violently tightening my trajectory round the corner.

In other words it was ahead of me so must be good.

Do not expect to drive like a looney and have ESP to safely increase your speeds. It's purely a contingency cover imo.Not for abuse.

Cheers

Dustydog

 

[John_374564913]

Dustydog

I consider myself to be a reasonably good driver I respect the road conditions and the required speed limitations.

Many years ago I had a Rover SD1 Obviously in those days ESP was not around I was driving in Croatia during winter going down a small incline there was a tight right hand bend onto a bridge as I went around the corner the car slid on Ice and spun completely around before coming to a stand still and there was absolutely nothing I could do.

A couple of years ago I had a Jaguar XJ8 with ESP whilst driving around a roundabout and on exit the car hit Black ICE which you could not see with the naked eye, anyway the whole dashboard lit up with flashing lights the ESP kicked in and the car straightened up by itself.

Since then I have purchased a Mercedes Benz with ESP and the benefit that all Mercedes ESP systems incorporate (TSA Trailer Stability Assist the Bailey Caravan I have ordered has the Alko Stabilizer and I have had the Alko Trailer Control System Fitted.

None of which I hope ever having to put to the test some may consider all these gadgets to be overkill however from my personal experience if ever they are needed through no fault of your own or the driver they can save a life which is worth every penny spen on installing them

John

 

[Pat_374304630]

Dustydog,

Thank you for explaining what ESP meant. There was me thinking that my Extra Sensory Perception was working all the time.