Over the weekend we showed you the amazing Jean-Claude Van Damme stunt where he pulls off the epic split between two new Volvo big rigs that are reversing down a runway at relatively high speeds. One of the videos that popped up after we watched that one and our jaw was still on the floor was this one that shows some of the process that Volvo engineers go through to crash test their trucks and how they use that testing to make stuff more safe. As we understand it, cab-over style rigs are the most common in European countries due to their maneuverability and for the increased trailer length they are afforded while complying with the laws of the road.

When looking at a cab over truck we immediately think, “Man, I wouldn’t want to get into a wreck in THAT thing!” How can you blame us? The short cab and the fact that the driver is all but right up into the front of the cab itself makes it seem like death is inches away at all times. Watching this video and seeing them ram these trucks into walls, barriers, into each other, and then wail on them with huge steel weights and stuff has altered our opinion. We still wouldn’t want to crash one, but it seems like they can survive some amazingly tough punishment. Also, seeing two big rigs driven into each other at speed is poetically awesome in the amount of force released when the beasts collide.

Believe it or not, this isn’t just wreckage for wreckage’s sake. The engineering involved here is awesome and we’d love to hang out with the guys in the crash lab for a day when experiments like this are performed. Also take note of the list that is shown on the screen when the narrator talks about all the testing they put new designs through. There are an amazing volume of trucks destroyed during the testing process. Talk about a major investment. As Volvo is known as a safety leader in their passenger cars and SUVs it only makes sense that they are at the forefront in trucks as well.

PRESS PLAY TO SEE EDUCATIONAL CARNAGE AS VOLVO CRASH TESTS ITS NEW LINE OF BIG TRUCKS!