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The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP), which is similar to the American IIHS testing regimen, has released a list with the safest car in each vehicle category and the two worst performers overall of 2010. The cars that attained the coveted five star rating and achieved the highest overall score in their respective segment are:------ Executive category: BMW 5 Series ------ Small Family category: Alfa Romeo Giulietta ------ Supermini category: Honda CR-Z ------ Small off-road 4×4 category: Kia Sportage ------ Small MPV category: Toyota Verso
On the other side of the fence are two models that achieved the poorest results of 2010. These are the Citroen Nemo with three stars and China's Landwind CV9 that received only two stars.
The European body noted that the cars in the top list "accomplished a high combined score based on the scores in each of the individual four areas of Euro NCAP’s assessment, while notably exceeding the thresholds for a 5 star overall rating". Along with the five top achievers, Euro NCAP said that the Suzuki Swift, KiaVenga, BMW X1, VW Sharan/Seat Alhambra, Citroen C4 all exceeded the 80% mark in overall score putting them on the runner-up list for the safest cars of 2010.
Commenting on the results, Dr Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP Secretary General said: “Every year, car manufacturers constantly work to innovate and make their cars better and safer for the driver, whatever the size of the vehicle. The presence in these categories of high performing 5 star cars demonstrates car manufacturers’ commitment to safety for all sizes of vehicles.”
In early 2009, Euro NCAP implemented tougher crash testing procedures that make it more difficult for vehicles to receive a five-star rating. Last year, the European body crash tested a total of twenty-nine vehicles from numerous categories, of which 65 per cent reached the five star rating, compared to 90% in 2009.
Euro NCAP has released its latest crash test results, including the data sheet for the first Chinese vehicle it has ever tested, the Landwind CV9. Although the Chinese maker claims it has revamped the car to meet "the strictest European safety standards", the mid-sized MPV only managed a two star rating. However, Euro NCAP noted that the CV9 came close to meeting the three star threshold for adult protection, so there's still hope for the Chinese maker.
Dr. Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP's Secretary General, commented:
"It is clear that vehicles from China, India and other emerging countries will in the next few years become commonplace on European roads. Euro NCAP will ensure that consumers know what levels of safety are offered by these vehicles. By highlighting differences in safety performance, we aim to drive the safety of all cars towards and beyond the high levels we see from more well established manufacturers. We are confident that Landwind and others will rise to this challenge".
This is not Lanwind's first foray into the European market. In 2005 they tried to attract buyers with the X6 SUV, based on Isuzu Rodeo/Opel Frontera underpinnings, but failed miserably after ADAC conducted a crash test and rated it with zero stars.
The MPV fared better, but it's still considered to be poorly equipped. Euro NCAP pointed out that side airbags, increased head protection and electronic stability control would have helped it achieve a better score. The test vehicles were early examples of Euro-spec models, as Lanwind plans to officially launch the CV9 in early 2011.
You can read the official Euro NCAP assessment below.
By Csaba Daradics
Adult occupant
Inspection of the vehicle after the frontal impact, and examination of its performance during the test itself, revealed that structures surrounding the passenger compartment were at the limit of their load-bearing capacity. As a result, the passenger compartment was deemed to be unstable as an impact at a higher speed was expected to lead to significantly greater collapse. Protection of the driver's chest was rated as marginal. Dummy readings indicated good protection of the front seat occupants' knees and femurs. However, structures in the dashboard presented a risk of injury to occupants of different sizes and to those sat in different positions, and protection was rated as marginal. The steering rack was pushed rearwards during the frontal test, heavily distorting the driver's footwell and tearing the metal. This represented a risk of injury to the driver's feet and ankles and the car was penalised. The CV9 has no side protection airbags and, in the side barrier test, protection of the chest area was rated as weak and that of the abdomen as marginal. In that test, three doors were seen to have opened during the impact. Landwind have attributed this to weak springs in the door latches and intend to fit stiffer springs to try to overcome the problem in future vehicles. As the car has no head protection device, no side pole test was performed. The seats supplied for whiplash tests were not consistent with the ones in the test vehicles. As the seats in the test cars were damaged from the full scale tests, no valid assessment could be made of the whiplash protection offered by the CV9.
Child occupant
In the frontal impact, forward movement of the head of the 3 year dummy, sat in a forward facing restraint, exceeded recommended limits. However, in the side barrier test, both the 3 year and the 18 month dummies were properly contained within the protective shells of their restraints. The passenger airbag cannot be disabled to allow a rearward facing restraint to be used in that seating position and the label warning of the dangers of doing so was unclear and not permanently attached. Markings on the restraints of both dummies were not permanently attached and points were lost.
Pedestrian
The protection offered by the bumper to pedestrians' legs was good in places and poor in others. The front edge of the bonnet offered poor protection and scored no points in Euro NCAP's tests. Tests in some areas at the centre of the bonnet indicated good protection for a child's head but was poor elsewhere. The protection offered to the head of a struck adult was also predominantly poor.
Safety assist
A seatbelt reminder system is standard equipment for the driver and front passenger seats. Electronic stability control is not currently available on the CV9.
ADAC, Germany's and Europe's largest automobile club - something like the AAA in the USA- has released the latest crash test results for the Brilliance BS4 sedan and the outcome for BMW's Chinese partner is far from good. In fact, in the new crash test procedure that was performed under Euro NCAP's stricter rating scheme that takes into consideration safety systems such as electronic stability control (ESC) and seat belt reminders, the BS4 received a zero star rating. ADAC notes however that in the previous rating system, the BS4 would have been awarded with three stars.
Still, ADAC's final report on the BS4 is that the compact sedan is "far away from the current safety standards" and that it poses several hazards to the driver's well being in the event of a crash noting for example that the steering wheel airbag is positioned incorrectly and that the clutch and brake pedals compromised protection for the driver's feet.
HSO Motors Europe, the official importer of the Brilliance brand in Europe questions ADAC's results saying that the German automobile club's counterparts in other European countries such as ÖAMTC in Austria and the Swiss and Dutch motor clubs, which co-funded the test, "unanimously evaluated the crash test by awarding three stars." The company's European importer also states that even though ADAC's test was based on the Euro NCAP rules, "it was not requested by the official Euro NCAP organization in Brussels".
And that brings us to our question; really, why hasn't Euro NCAP performed any tests on the Chinese automaker's European-market models?
HSO Motors Europe, Brilliance Importer - Official Statement on ADAC's Crash Test Results
Dear Colleague, You definitely already know that the ADAC has subjected our new BS4 series to a crash test in compliance with Euro NCAP. The results: three stars based on the old measurement method but zero stars according to the new procedure. The remarkable thing is that ADAC's counterparts in other countries, including the ÖAMTC in Austria and the Swiss and Dutch motor clubs, which co-funded the test, unanimously evaluated the crash test by awarding three stars. Only the ADAC has shocked the public with its bad news. The ADAC is misleading the press, policymakers and consumers by eliminating all of the stars and equating its zero-star rating with zero safety. The other participating motor clubs have provided much more transparent information.
In an initial statement, Focus-online has summed up this matter as follows: "The zero-star rating leads clueless buyers to believe that the BS4 is a totally unsafe car — which it is quite definitely not. Its crash test results may not be brilliant, but they are sound."
Why is this evaluation so inconsistent with that of the other European motor clubs which co-funded the test? Why has only the German motor club released a different result, despite having presumably coordinated the testing and evaluation procedures with the other clubs? How much importance can be attached to a test whose outcome must have already been clear to the ADAC in advance, considering how our cars are equipped?
And how much confidence can European consumers place in a test if its results are interpreted so differently?
It is hard to shake off the impression that a card with political dimensions is being played here — and not just in the German market. Also undeniable is that, although the test was based on the Euro NCAP rules, it was not requested by the official Euro NCAP organization in Brussels.
HSO Motors Europe, the general importer of the Brilliance brand in Europe, will now thoroughly check and assess the results together with the manufacturer, Brilliance Auto Shenyang. We are proud of being able to say to our customers, our dealers, our business partners and everyone else that Brilliance has, quite objectively assessed, made significant progress and will continue to follow this path.
EuroNcap today released its revised crash test results for the sixth-generation Volkswagen Golf. Despite the stricter and more comprehensive assessment criteria of EuroNCAP's updated crash test programme, the German hatchback gained the highest score of five stars. Since February 2009, a vehicle must receive a minimum value in all four categories (adult, child and pedestrian protection, plus safety assist) as well as in the overall assessment to gain a five star award.
Additionally, in the new assessment procedure, electronic safety and assistant systems such as ESC (electronic stability control) that help to prevent accidents and avoid serious injury are also included in the evaluation.
The latest generation Honda Accord (sold in the States as the Acura TSX) has been awarded with five-stars under Euro NCAP's revised safety rating scheme that replaces the three separate ratings for pedestrian impact, adult and child protection with a single five-star rating. In the previous rating system, the Accord had a 5 star adult occupant, 4 star child occupant and 3 star pedestrian protection scores
Euro NCAP's new rating scheme uses a weighted score that combines adult (50 per cent), child (20 per cent) and pedestrian (20 per cent) protection assessment results with the availability of safety assistance devices such as the electronic stability control (10 per cent). Under the new rating system, a minimum score of 70 per cent overall is necessary for a 5-star rating. Honda's Accord achieved an overall weighted score of 78 percent.
The European organization for the assessment of vehicle safety has published the first results under its updated rating system. Up until now, Euro NCAP made three separate ratings available for each vehicle, but with the new system there's an overall rating for every car covering Adult Occupant Protection, Child Occupant Protection, Pedestrian Protection and a new area of assessment, Safety Assist which takes into account systems such as electronic stability control (ESC) and seat belt reminders.
Of the six cars tested under the new ratings system, four managed to achieve Euro NCAP's maximum award of five stars: the Mazda 6, Mitsubishi Lancer, Toyota Avensis and Toyota iQ. Citroen's C3 Picasso minivan and the Subaru Impreza were both awarded four stars.
According to Euro NCAP, with the exception of the Subaru Impreza, all the other cars failed to impress on pedestrian protection.
After the announcement of the results, Mitsubishi and Subaru both said that they would change their ESC (electronic stability control) fitment policies for the Lancer and Impreza, as variants of these models without optional ESC were offered in some Euroepan countries.
Euro NCAP's new rating scheme requires all safety equipment, including ESC, to be standard on 85% of volume sales and at least optionally available on every variant.
Unsurprisingly, of the twelve vehicles whose crash test results were released today by Euro NCAP, eight of them were awarded with a maximum of five stars. Euro NCAP's top scorers for adult occupant protection in this release were the Alfa Romeo Mito, Ford Fiesta, Peugeot 308CC, Volkswagen Golf VI, Renault Megane, Honda Accord, Opel Insignia and the Volvo XC60. Oddly enough, and even though the new Ford Ka shares the same platform and mechanics with the Fiat 500 which has obtained a five-star rating, Ford's mini was awarded with four stars.
Even worse for Ford, the Ranger pickup received a two star rating for adult occupant protection, with Euro NCAP stating that the result "underlines the lack of emphasis given by most manufacturers to the safety of cars in this category". However, we must note that Ford's new Fiesta hatchback managed to pull out a three-star rating from a maximum of four stars in pedestrian protection which is one of the highest scores in this test.
As for the Renault group's Dacia Sandero, fitted with the basic level of equipment it scored a mediocre three stars in adult occupant protection whilst the car with the optional safety pack, scored the equivalent of four stars - apparently the Renault Group's focus in safety begins and ends with the Renault and Nissan vehicles.
Euro NCAP believes that this is probably the last time we see so many manufacturers achieving five-star scores as it will introduce a revised rating system in February next year that will include a single overall star rating rather than the current system of three categories.
Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General of Euro NCAP says: "It is clear that Euro NCAP's new rating scheme in 2009 will offer a more discriminating view of the overall safety performance of today's best-selling vehicles and give customers the opportunity to prioritize and maximize the safety options on their vehicles."
The new Renault Megane hatchback has scored the highest possible rating in Euro NCAP's latest crash tests gathering a perfect five stars and 37 points out of 37 - that's maximum points for protection of occupants in side and front impact tests. The only other vehicle to achieve a perfect score in adult occupant protection in Euro NCAP's 10-year long history is the Qashqai from sister company Nissan ,with which the Megane hatchback shares the same platform.
In the crash safety body's other tests, the French hatchback was awarded four stars for child occupant protection while we've yet to learn how many stars the Megane managed to gather for pedestrian protection.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded five-star crash test ratings to the 2009 Genesis for both frontal and side-impact crash tests, providing yet another helpful selling point to Hyundai's first venture into the luxury car segment.“These five-star results are just one indication of the dedication Hyundai engineers place on safety,” commented John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America’s vice president of Strategic Planning and Product Development. According to Krafcik, the Genesis owes its five star scores at NHTSA’s crash test to the rigid body structure combined with the car’s standard eight airbags and electronic active head restraints. -Check out NHTSA’s crash test video after the jump
In a move that is more than welcome, European car safety testing body Euro NCAP announced today that it will revaluate its crash test rating system to take into account pedestrian safety and electronic stability controls with the results for the first vehicles to be tested under this new rating system due to be released in February 2009. Euro NCAP says that the reason behind these changes is that most manufacturers set out to achieve five-star ratings for adult occupant protection to attract consumers, but compromise safety investment in other areas.
While the the maximum rating in the new system will continue to be five stars, the new overall rating will reflect the protection offered to adult and child occupants as well as pedestrians and, for the first time, the fitment of systems such as electronic stability control (ESP). Moreover, the assessment of adult occupant protection will be expanded to include whiplash testing.-Continued
Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General of Euro NCAP says “I am delighted that more and more manufacturers are achieving five stars in our crash-tests, but it is imperative that Euro NCAP continues to set higher benchmarks for car makers to aspire to. Our new rating system will do this.”
“I have no doubt that manufacturers will step up to the challenge, just as they did when we first started. The creation of new technologies means enhanced safety performance and a potential reduction of fatalities on our roads,” added Michiel van Ratingen. “We intend to reward those manufacturers that make this their ultimate goal.”
European car safety testing body Euro-NCAP announced its latest batch of ratings. Of the five cars whose results were released today, four models -the Lancia Delta, Hyundai i30, Renault Koleos SUV and the Mercedes M-Class, achieved Euro NCAP’s maximum five-star rating for adult occupant protection while the Daihatsu Cuore minicar managed a four star score. Hyundai’s i30 and the Renault Koleos were awarded with four stars in child occupant protection while the Lancia Delta, Mercedes M-Class and the Daihatsu Cuore achieved a mediocre three star rating in the same test. -Continued
Unfortunately, all cars performed poorly in Euro NCAP’s pedestrian protection with four vehicles obtaining just two stars (Lancia Delta, Daihatsu Cuore, Hyundai i30 and Renault Koleos) while the Mercedes M-Class managed a disappointing one star.
