8:49 pm, November 25, 2010
THE latest batch of Euro NCAP crash tests has been carried out revealing some surprises.
Audi A1’s, the Mini Countryman, Ford C-MAX and Ford Grand C-MAX, Kia’s Sportage, the Vauxhall Meriva, the facelifted Volkswagen Passat, and the new VW Sharan/Seat Alhambra were all awarded Euro NCAP’s maximum rating of 5-stars.
Nissan’s new Micra was awarded a four star rating as too was the Jaguar XF. Adult and child occupant protection let it down, while in the side pole impact, the XF’s chest protection was rated as weak and the car’s seat and head restraint provided marginal whiplash protection.
The Volkswagen Amarok pick-up was also awarded a four star rating, though testers noted it offered the best pedestrian protection so far tested by them.
After being initially tested in March receiving a four star rating, the Kia Venga was re-tested and was awarded the maximum 5-star rating. Structural changes to the front of the car and refinements to the restraint systems to improve the protection of adult and child occupants made were successful.
However, Landwind’s attempts to enter the European market have taken a nose-dive – the Chinese manufacturer’s CV9 was tested by Euro NCAP and received a two star rating. Poor equipment, a lack of a side protection airbag, head protection device and electronic stability control hampered the car’s performance in the test, though it came close to a 3-star rating for adult occupant protection.
Dr Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP’s secretary general, said: ‘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.’
