upload.
Texto original em Inglês:
On 14 January 2011 the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) commissioned a crash test at the KARCO Engineering facility in Adelanto, California on a 1999 thru 2004 vintage WJ-Body Jeep Grand Cherokee (JGC) under the 2006 FMVSS-301 NHTSA fuel system crashworthness standard.
In this test, the entire fuel filler hose, which routs below the driver's side frame rail in what is one of the most incompetent designs in automotive history, is completely torn out of the fuel tank. During the roll-over portion of the FMVSS-301 protocol, all fuel will leak from the Jeep Grand Cherokee; a test failure.
Multiple/complete fuel system integrity breaches/failures occcurred during this CAS test.
In a 1978 Chrysler memo, called the "Baker memo," the latter states:
"Chrysler is investigating fuel tank relocation ahead of the rear wheels for vans and multipurpose vehicles, but present plans for pickups through 1983 and for MPV's and vans through 1985 have the fuel tank located behind the rear wheels. In vehicles both with and without bumpers there is a concern with vertical height differences that create a mismatch with passenger car bumpers. Where fuel tank location behind the rear axle is all that is feasible, a protective impact deflection structure may have to be provided whether or not a bumper is provided. An investigation whether to relocate the fuel tank or to provide impact deflecting structures is presently underway."
The WJ Jeep Grand Cherokee retained a rear mounted, unprotected fuel tank. Since introduction of the 2005 WK Jeep Grand Cherokee (designed in-part by MercedesBenz) the death rate from fuel-fed fire is zero, a statisitc that remains valid as of this upload.