Technikens Baird's moose test and why modern cars fail
The speaker explains why modern cars — including luxury EVs and popular SUVs — now fail the classic Swedish 'moose test' that Technikens Baird and KM77 run. The maneuver follows ISO 3888-2: 12 cones form mirrored S-shaped gates, the car is loaded to maximum rated load (a belted person in every seat plus weights in the trunk [inferred from transcript]) and the driver must swerve through without lifting or braking; the fastest clean run is recorded. KM77 treats 77 kilometers per hour as the target, ~72 km/h as the practical pass threshold, 80 km/h as excellent and below 70 km/h as poor.
Six engineering trends are given as the root causes: 1) weight — new-vehicle averages rose from 1,500–1,650 kilograms historically to 2,087 kilograms in Q1 2024, with examples like Electric Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV at 2,899 kilograms and EPA average 4,287 pounds in 2021; EV battery packs add 400–700 kilograms and average BEV test weight was 1,991 kilograms per Auto-car; 2) crossovers raise center of gravity versus sedans; 3) low rolling resistance tires trade lateral grip for range; 4) stability-control tuning varies — some brands allow more body lean; 5) softer, less roll-stiff suspensions on cost-focused models; 6) electric power steering feel and instant EV torque can destabilize mid-maneuver. The physics is summarized via NHTSA's Static Stability Factor (SSF = track width / (2 × COG height)): sedans ~1.3–1.5, tall SUVs ~1.0–1.3, so taller, narrower vehicles tip at lower lateral G.
Concrete examples and outcomes: the 1997 Mercedes A-class rolled at 60 kilometers per hour; Mercedes then fitted Bosch ESP as standard, recalled 2,600 cars, and (per transcript) converted roughly 17,000 built units and spent 2.5 billion Deutsche Markz developing the car plus 300 million Deutsche Markz fixing it. Toyota Hilux went up on two wheels at 57 km/h (2007) and 60 km/h (2016); Toyota added a new stability-control algorithm, raised tire pressures for maximum load, and stopped selling an 18-inch wheel option. KM77 and Technikens Baird videos show modern failures: Toyota RAV4 hybrid best clean pass 71 km/h (after rework), Volkswagen ID4 73 km/h, Mercedes EQS 580 ~72 km/h (>2,500 kilograms blamed), Fiat 500E 75 km/h (eco tires limiting front grip), Suzuki Jimny clean at 68 km/h after cone knocks, Tesla Model Y standout at 83 km/h despite >4,400 pounds, Porsche 911 (992 Carrera 4S) 80 km/h, Citroën Xantia Activa record 85 km/h (1999).
Regulators generally do not mandate ISO 3888-2: NHTSA doesn't use it as pass/fail, Euro NCAP doesn't publish a moose-test speed, and Consumer Reports runs a milder double lane change without headline km/h. The practical advice given: check KM77's YouTube Archive for footage, look for low rolling resistance tires vs. grippier rubber, and use UTQG tread wear grip ratings to screen models; favor lower, wider vehicles if you drive rural or twisty roads. The speaker notes manufacturers typically only issue quiet software or tire fixes after viral test failures, so the moose test matters in practice even if not regulatory.