8:33 am, December 11, 2014
THE Jeep Renegade and Audi A3 Sportback e-tron both gained maximum five-star ratings in the latest batch of Euro NCAP safety tests.
The organisation said both models offered excellent all-round crash protection and an autonomous emergency braking system available as an option.
Also tested recently were the Kia Soul and its all-electric stablemate the Soul EV – but they both fell short of the maximum rating, scoring four stars apiece.
The conventionally-engined Soul offered weak chest protection in the side pole test, according to Euro NCAP.
Kia has committed to install the current-production side airbag in earlier vehicles, Euro NCAP reported, and the organisation has encouraged all customers who are contacted by Kia to have their cars updated. The Soul EV is not affected.
To end the year, BMW earned a Euro NCAP Advanced reward for its ‘Pedestrian Warning with City Brake Activation’ system, an advanced technology designed to help avoid or mitigate accidents with pedestrians at low speeds.
The system is available on various models including the BMW 2 Series, BMW i3 and MINI Cooper. In addition to the AEB city and AEB interurban systems already rewarded in the rating scheme, Euro NCAP will give credit from 2016 to vehicles equipped with AEB pedestrian systems.
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