I have a late model FG Falcon as well. The strength of the car is not in its panels but its structure - panels are thin to reduce weight and, therefore, fuel consumption and emissions. The pillars are made of high-strength steel that resist side intrusion with incredible strength. The down side is that these cars are written-off when any kind of structural damage that is sustained during a collision, as high-strength steels cannot be welded due to the heat weakening their hardness.
I definitely believe we are driving much faster than what we were 30 years ago.
