News from Euro NCAP
Latest crash tests
August 2009
Euro NCAP released the results for eight new cars in August.
Seven received a maximum five star award, whilst one car, the Citroen C3, received a four star result.
Two of the top-scorers are among the car industry's most fuel efficient vehicles: the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius 3, showing that good fuel economy need not stand in the way of a high level of safety performance.
The top scorers with five star results are the Honda Insight, Kia Sorento, Renault Grand Scenic , Skoda Yeti, Subaru Legacy , Toyota Prius 3 and the Volkswagen Polo.
The Citroen C3 missed out on Euro NCAP's highest accolade of five stars as electronic stability control (ESC), although available on some variants in the model range, is not expected to be fitted as standard in sufficient numbers to qualify for points.
In contrast ESC is fitted as standard or will be standard equipment in the great majority of sales across the model range in the other seven models tested in August.
The two French cars – Renault Grand Scenic and the Citroen C3 have both introduced a driver controlled speed limitation system as standard on some variants and as an option on others, which Euro NCAP rewarded under the Safety Assist assessment.
Some manufacturers have responded quickly to Euro NCAP's call for better whiplash protection too. Here, the Honda Insight, the Kia Sorento and the Skoda Yeti all have seats and head restraints that offer good whiplash protection.
May 2009
In May Euro NcAP released results for six new cars. the Audi Q5, Honda Jazz, Hyundai i20, Kia Soul, and Peugeot 3008 all achieved a maximum five star award. The Suzuki Alto scored 3 stars.
February 2009
In February 2009 Euro NCAP published the first crash test results rated using its new 'overall rating' system.
Overall ratings of five stars were awarded to the Mazda 6 and Toyota Avensis (Large family cars), Mitsubishi Lancer (Small family car), and the Toyota iQ (city car).
The Citroen C3 Picasso (Small MPV) and the Subaru Impreza (Small family car) each scored a four-star overall rating.
November 2008
In late November 2008 Euro NCAP released nine new crash test results, six of which were five-star ratings – Alfa Romeo MiTo and Ford Fiesta (Superminis), Honda Accord and Vauxhall Insignia (Large family cars), and Peugeot 308CC and Renault Megane (small family cars).
Other cars tested were the Ford Ka (Supermini), Ford Ranger (Pick-up) and the Mercedes-Benz Viano (Large MPV).
Also in November, Euro NCAP released details of the scoring behind its new rating system to be introduced from 2009.
Previously, Euro NCAP made three separate ratings available for each vehicle. From now on, Euro NCAP will publish a new overall rating for every vehicle that will cover Adult Occupant Protection, Child Occupant Protection, Pedestrian Protection and a new area of assessment: Safety Assist.
Under the new testing regime, vehicles are awarded a single overall score from one to five stars. The assessment incorporates all previous aspects and includes the recently introduced Rear Impact (Whiplash) tests. In addition, the availability of ESC and speed limitation devices is considered.
The overall rating is based on the car's performance in each of the four main areas and the scores are weighted with respect to each other. Over the next three years, stricter requirements will be introduced increasing the emphasis on all-round safety performance and demanding higher levels of achievement in each area.
August
In August 2008 Euro NCAP released five new crash test results. The Daihatsu Cuore (supermini) received a four-star rating while the others, Hyundai i30 and Lancia Delta (small family cars), Mercedes Benz M-class (Large SUV) and Renault Koleos (Small SUV) all received five-star ratings.
May
In May 2008 Euro NCAP published results for seven new car models. Two large family cars, the Audi A4, and Skoda Superb each scored 5 stars as did the Ford Kuga in the small SUV category and the SEAT Ibiza in the supermini category. Other cars tested were the Citroen Berlingo (Small mpv), Volkswagen T5 (Large mpv) and the Hyundai i10 (Supermini).
Other cars tested were the Citroen Berlingo (Small mpv), Volkswagen T5 (Large mpv) and the Hyundai i10 (Supermini).
March
In mid-March Euro NCAP released results for its assessment of the modified Nissan Navara . The upgraded car achieved three stars for adult occupant protection.
After Euro NCAP's earlier tests highlighted serious safety concerns, Nissan promptly modified all new production vehicles and initiated a Service Campaign to upgrade the airbag software of all Navaras produced since 2005.
Nissan developed new airbag software to ensure better occupant protection. Production Navaras are now equipped with the improved software and an extensive Service Campaign is underway to upgrade owners' vehicles .
Nissan also asked Euro NCAP to assess the modified vehicle to ensure that its performance had improved. Euro NCAP's new assessment reveals that Nissan have effectively addressed the airbag malfunction, removing the high risk of life-threatening injuries seen in the earlier test. Dr Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General of Euro NCAP said "Nissan have acted responsibly and promptly in response to our findings. Euro NCAP hopes that by releasing this new result, it will speed up the Service Campaign and ensure that all Navaras are upgraded to the higher safety specification."
February 2008
At the end of February Euro NCAP announced results for three vehicles in the new 'pick-up' class and revealed that the safety of vehicles in this category is not a high priority for some carmakers.
Both the Nissan Navara and the Isuzu Rodeo received poor scores in the adult occupant rating.
The best of all the pick-ups tested by Euro NCAP was the Mitsubishi L200 , which received a respectable four star result in adult occupant protection.
In addition there were four-star ratings for the Suzuki Splash in the Supermini category, the Renault Kangoo in the small MPV class and both the BMW X3 and the Daihatsu Terios in the small off-road/SUV category.
In the large family car class the Citroen C5 achieved a five-star rating.
December
Euro NCAP rounded off 2007 by publishing results for a further six new models. There were Five stars (adult occupant protection rating) for the Renault Laguna ,
Mazda 2, Mercedes-Benz C-class, and
Volvo V70 , whilst the Honda Civic , and Daihatsu Materia both scored four stars.
November
In November Euro NCAP released result for the Nissan X-Trail which scored four out of five stars in EuroNCAP's adult occupant protection rating.
October
On 24 October Euro NCAP released result for the Smart fortwo which scored four out of five stars in the EuroNCAP's adult occupant protection rating.
September
On 26 September Euro NCAP released result for the Hyundai i30, Ford Mondeo, Volkswagen Caddy 'life' and the Volkswagen Tiguan.
Two cars out of four (the Mondeo and the Tiguan) received Euro NCAP's coveted five stars in Adult Occupant protection.
August
At the end of August Euro NCAP released results for two Superminis, the Fiat 500 and the Renault Twingo, along with results for two more cars in the small family class, the Kia Cee'd and the Peugeot 308.
Along with the Cee'd which delivered Kia's first five star adult occupant protection rating, the Fiat and Peugeot 308 also achieved five star ratings whilst the Renault scored four stars.
July
In July Euro NCAP tested a petrol electric hybrid for the first time. The Honda Civic IMA , a small family car, received a four star rating for adult occupant protection.
In the same month from the supermini class, the Skoda Fabia also received a four star rating for adult occupant protection.
June
In June Euro NCAP published crash test results for the Dodge Caliber, a small family car which received a four star rating for adult occupant protection.
May
In late May, Euro NCAP released the results for its highest scoring car in adult occupant protection since the crash test programme was established over 10 years ago. The Nissan Qashqai, a small family car, received almost maximum points in the strict front, side impact and pole crash tests.
Euro NCAP also released new crash test results for the Kia Carens, a small MPV, which received four stars for adult occupant protection.
April
Results for two new Superminis are released. The MINI Cooper and the Peugeot 207CC, both of which achieved the coveted award of five stars for adult occupant protection.
March
Five new test results were published by Euro NCAP at the end of February, the Fiat Bravo and Toyota Corolla in the small family car category, the Honda CR-V and Mitsubishi Outlander in the Small off-road category, and the Honda legend in the Executive group.
The Fiat, Toyota and Honda Legend all achieved a maximum five-star rating for Occupant protection whilst the two off-roaders, the CR-V and Outlander each achieved a four-star rating.
The Toyota Corolla and Honda Legend were both awarded a three-star rating in the pedestrian protection tests whilst the others scored only two-stars.
January 2007
Four new test results were published in January 2007, the Volvo C30 and Volkswagen Eos in the small family car category, the Chevrolet Captiva (small SUV), and the Chrysler Grand Voyager (large SUV).
Only the C30 achieved a maximum 5 star rating for adult occupant protection. The Captiva and Eos were both awarded 4 stars whilst the Grand Voyager was given only a 'struck-through' 2 star rating.
Euro NCAP tests the best selling version of a model with the lowest standard safety specification. Chrysler originally advised Euro NCAP that the driver knee airbags were standard fit across Europe, and Euro NCAP decided to test a left hand drive (LHD) version of the Grand Voyager.
Subsequently Chrysler told Euro NCAP that driver knee airbags were not in fact standard on RHD cars. Indeed, it's not possible to buy a RHD car with knee airbags at all, even as an option.
As a result the test was repeated on a RHD version. The car scored 20 points overall but 17 of these were from the side impact. Euro NCAP requires a minimum of 5 points in each of the frontal and side impact tests to ensure a balanced approach and avoid situations where a car may get a misleadingly high star rating based exclusively on one test. As a result the overall occupant rating for the Grand Voyager was downgraded to two stars (with balanced scoring 20 points would be enough for three stars).
Moreover, the second star is struck through indicating an unacceptably high risk of serious or fatal injury. The passenger compartment became unstable in the frontal test; the steering wheel moved backwards by 107mm and its rim was struck by the driver's chest giving a high chest compression.
In LHD form the Grand Voyager scored the minimum 9 points required in the frontal impact for a potential 4 star rating.
December
Spanish car-maker SEAT has bowed to consumer pressure and reversed its decision to remove the seatbelt reminder system from the Leon (see August 2006 below).
SEAT issued a press release stating that no Leons had been produced without the seatbelt reminder system and, following a request from Euro NCAP for clarification, SEAT has now confirmed that they have no plans to remove the seat belt reminder from the Leon.
October
Euro NCAP released new crash test results for eight car models in October. At the beginning of the month results were published for the Audi Q7 and Mazda3 together with three new 'five star' cars, the Ford Galaxy, Citroen C4 Picasso, and the Mercedes–Benz B Class.
At the end of the month results were published for the Kia Sedona, Honda Civic and yet another 'five star' car, the Lexus IS.
August
Two new cars, the Ford S-MAX and the Opel Corsa are both awarded Euro NCAP's maximum five stars for adult occupant protection. The S-MAX becomes the highest-scoring MPV to date and sets the standards for other MPV's to follow.
At the same time Euro NCAP announced SEAT's decision to stop fitting a seatbelt reminder system to the Leon. The Leon was awarded four stars for adult occupant protection in November 2005 when the seatbelt reminder was standard equipment. Several important safety features work only if occupants are restrained by their seatbelts and research has shown that more people wear their seatbelts when they are reminded to do so.
July
Euro NCAP releases new test results for the Chevrolet Kalos, the Nissan Note, the Toyota RAV4 and the Land Rover Discovery 3.
In the Nissan Note, one of the ISOFIX mounts for the child restraints broke in the side impact test. Following investigation Nissan advised Euro NCAP that the mount was one from an early batch which was not welded correctly. Nissan has introduced a countermeasure and additional checks and has also advised Euro NCAP that they intend to recall all affected cars to modify them.
With the Toyota RAV4, the cable to a sensor became detached early in the impact causing the airbags to fire late in the frontal crash test. Toyota have changed the routeing of the wiring harness and modified the airbag control unit so that the airbags deploy at the correct time even if the sensor connection fails. A second frontal test, on a modified car, showed that the airbags deployed correctly, although the sensor cable was also damaged in that test. These modifications were introduced into production before Euro NCAP carried out its second test. However, Toyota has advised Euro NCAP that they do not intend to modify cars that have already been sold to the public.
Both the Note and RAV4 achieved a four-star rating whilst the RAV4 became only the second (after Honda's CR-V) small off-roader to achieve a three-star pedestrian protection rating. This is in contrast with that of the Land Rover Discovery which achieved only one star for its pedestrian protection. So far, no large off-roader has ever scored more than two stars.
The Chevrolet Kalos achieved a three-star adult occupant protection rating and the Discovery a four star rating.
April 2006
Results were published by Euro NCAP for the Fiat Idea (small MPV) and the Nissan Pathfinder large off-roader).
Both achieved a four-star rating for adult occupant protection. However, the Idea just achieved a 4 star score whilst the Pathfinder nearly achieved Euro NCAP's maximum of 5 stars. It is important to note that the adult occupant rating of cars should only be compared within the same size category.
The Fiat Idea has a head protecting curtain airbag, but is unusual in not being equipped as standard with an airbag to protect the body in a side impact accident.
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7 October 2009