Tag: Euro NCAP

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BMW Green Machines Safety Issues

Stars fail to align for BMW i3

BMW i3 Euro NCAP crash test

As an all-electric city car the BMW i3 is going to have to deal with its fair share of naysayers and detractors. So word from Euro NCAP saying the i3 failed to achieve a maximum five-star safety rating will come as a blow.

Ever since the Renault Laguna was the first car to score a five-star rating for occupant protection in 2001 such results have become rich marketing fodder for car makers. BMW would have loved to follow Renault’s lead, but these days four stars doesn’t cut the mustard.

According to the Euro NCAP results the i3 rated quite well for occupant protection, scoring 86% and 81% for adult and child protection respectively. Where the electric city car was let down was in pedestrian and safety assist ratings, achieving scores of only 57% and 55%.

In contrast, other cars tested in the “Small family” segment, the Mazda3 and Peugeot 308 both recorded five-star results.

[Source: Euro NCAP]

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Audi Safety Issues

Audi A1 granted 5-star crash rating

Audi A1

The Audi A1 is the latest car to be awarded a 5-star safety rating by testing authority Euro NCAP. The A1 scored 90% for adult occupants, 86% for safety assist, 79% for child occupants and 49% for pedestrian safety. You can read the full report on the Euro NCAP website. Meanwhile video footage and Audi’s press release are all your after the break.

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MINI Safety Issues

MINI Countryman granted 5-star crash rating

MINI Countryman

The love it or hate it MINI Countryman now has one less reason to hate it. It’s performance at the latest round of Euro NCAP testing saw the not-so-MINI awarded a 5-star crash rating. The Countryman scored 84% for the Adult Occupant category, 83% for Child Occupant, 63% for Pedestrian and 71% for Safety Assist.

Interestingly the model tested was a right-hand drive Countryman Diesel, so these results are directly relevant to the Australian market. Most cars tested by Euro NCAP are left-hand drive.

You can read the full Euro NCAP report HERE. After the break you can watch video footage of the Countryman’s test, as well as reading the press release from MINI PR.

[Pic: Euro NCAP]

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Alfa Romeo Safety Issues

Five stars for Alfa Romeo Giulietta

Alfa Romeo Giulietta

The cute Alfa Romeo Giulietta has recently been awarded a 5 star crash rating by Euro NCAP. With an overall score of 87 points from a maximum of 100 the Giulietta ranks as the safest car in the compact class.

In 2009 Euro NCAP raised the bar on what is required to achieve a 5 star rating and the testing is still on a upward sliding scale. By 2012 the testing regime will have reached its toughest measure. The good news for Alfa is the Giulietta just tested has achieved a high enough score that will ensure its maximum rating will still be achieved.

Crash testing rates four main criteria: Adult Occupant, Child Occupant, Pedestrian Protection and Safety Assist. In those categories the Giulietta scored an almost perfect 97% for Adult Occupant protection and a very high 85% for Child Occupant safety. Pedestrian Protection was rated at 63% and a score of 86% for Safety Assist shows the car’s on board electronic safety systems are very effective.

More from Alfa Romeo and Euro NCAP after the break.

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Safety Issues Volkswagen

Volkswagen Golf – Safest car of 2009

Volkswagen Golf VI

In 2009 , for the first time, the EuroNCAP authority collated its test results from a single year and announced its safest cars of the calendar year. With a total of 103 points the Golf VI topped last year’s list, which also included an impressive 97% score for Adult Occupant protection.

When the Golf VI was first released in 2008 it was granted a five-star rating. However, in 2009 EuroNCAP introduced stricter testing procedures and the Golf VI, along with 32 other cars, were tested in 2009 under the revised program.

The Golf finished ahead of the Honda Insight in the 2009 rankings. Third on the table was the new Toyota Prius, followed by the Hyundai i20, before a triumvirate of equally rated cars—Toyota Avensis, Volvo XC60 and Opel/Vauxhall Astra.

Official EuroNCAP footage of the Golf’s earlier 2008 test can be seen after the jump, reminding you just how ugly a vehicle crash in motion actually looks.

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Safety Issues Volkswagen

Volkswagen Golf VI crash test video

Last month we brought you the news that the new Volkswagen Golf VI has received a 5-star crash rating from Euro NCAP. Here’s the video. Clips like this make quite sobering viewing.

Take note of the lateral head movement of the infant dummy with the side impact test towards the end of 1 minute 20 clip. Despite this, the Golf VI scored highly for infant protection, with a portion of the report stating, “Based on the dummy readings from the dynamic tests, the Golf scored maximum points for its protection of both infants.”

More detail on the Golf VI crash test can be read at the Euro NCAP website. Further information about how the tests are conducted can be read HERE.