Today, Euro NCAP releases the crash test results for fourteen cars, including the first Chinese-manufactured vehicle it has tested. Ten cars achieved Euro NCAP’s maximum award of five stars, three received four stars and one received a two star result.

After an unsuccessful first introduction onto the European market in 2005, Landwind returns with the CV9, a mid-sized MPV that achieved two stars in Euro NCAP’s assessment. Eager to erase its poor safety record, Landwind hopes to make a strong comeback with the CV9, which according to the Chinese carmaker ‘has been revamped to meet the strictest European safety standards’. In comparison to competitive vehicles in this segment, however, the car remains poorly equipped, lacking a side protection airbag, a head protection device and electronic stability control. The car was limited to a two star rating by its overall performance although it came close to meeting the three star threshold for adult occupant protection.

Dr Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP’s Secretary General, says ‘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.’

The Kia Venga has been reassessed shortly after its market introduction and has been awarded with a five star result. In February 2010, Euro NCAP highlighted some weaknesses in the car’s performance in the frontal impact test leading to a four star rating. Kia have made structural changes to the front of the car and have refined the restraint systems to improve the protection of adult and child occupants. With this, Kia have demonstrated their wish to achieve the highest level of safety for its vehicles. 

The only executive car in this release - the Jaguar XF - surprisingly received four stars, its rating limited by adult and child occupant protection. In the side pole impact of the XF, chest protection was rated as weak and the car’s seat and head restraint provided marginal whiplash protection.

The Volkswagen Amarok received four stars and, with 17 points, is the pickup offering best pedestrian protection so far tested by Euro NCAP. However, a poor level of chest protection was offered in the side pole test. From the same stable, Euro NCAP has tested the five door MPV VW Sharan.  This car has exactly the same platform, interior fittings and levels of safety equipment as the new Seat Alhambra and the five star rating applies to both vehicles.

Finally, Euro NCAP’s other top scorers with five star results are the Audi A1, the BMW Mini Countryman, the Ford C-MAX and Ford Grand C-MAX, the Kia Sportage, the Opel Meriva and the facelifted VW Passat. The Nissan Micra was rewarded with four stars.

For more information contact: Sinziana Gille Tel 02 282 0816 or s.gille(at)fiabrussels.com

NOVEMBER 2010 CRASH TESTS RESULTS

 
MAKE AND MODEL        CLASS    

YEAR OF

TEST
   

OVERALL

SAFETY SCORE
Audi A1 (1.2 TFSI 'Ambition', LHD)
    Supermini
    2010
    5 stars
BMW Mini Countryman (1.6 diesel, RHD)     Small MPV
    2010
    5 stars
Ford C-MAX (1.6 TDCI 'Trend' LHD)     Small MPV     2010     5 stars
Ford Grand C-MAX (1.6 TDCI 'Trend' LHD)     Small MPV     2010     5 stars
Jaguar XF (3.0 diesel 'Premium Luxury', RHD)     Executive     2010     4 stars
Kia Sportage (2.0 diesel EX, LHD)     Small Off-Road4×4
    2010     5 stars
Kia Venga (1.4 GLS, LHD)     Small MPV     2010     5 stars
Landwind CV9 (2.0, LHD)     Small MPV     2010     2 stars
Opel Meriva (1.4 'Enjoy', LHD)     Small MPV     2010     5 stars
Nissan Micra (1.2 'Visia', LHD)
    Supermini
    2010     4 stars
Seat Alhambra* (2.0 diesel ‘Reference’, LHD)
    Large MPV     2010     5 stars
VW Amarok (2.0 diesel, LHD)     Pickup     2010     4 stars
VW Passat (1.9 diesel 'Trendline' LHD)     Large Family     2010     5 stars
VW Sharan (2.0 diesel 'Trendline', LHD)       Large MPV
    2010     5 stars

*VW Sharan rating also applies to Seat Alhambra

About Euro NCAP

Euro NCAP provides motoring consumers with a realistic and independent assessment of the safety performance of some of the most popular cars sold in Europe.

Established in 1997 and now backed by seven European Governments, the European Commission and motoring and consumer organizations in every EU country, Euro NCAP has rapidly become a catalyst for encouraging significant safety improvements to new car design.

Editors’ notes

1.    Consumers should be aware that not all cars are comparable due to their varying size and weight. For comparable cars please consult www.euroncap.com.
2.    Euro NCAP’s overall rating includes Adult Occupant Protection, Child Occupant Protection, Pedestrian Protection and Safety Assist. Vehicles are awarded a single overall score from one to five stars. The assessment incorporates Rear Impact (Whiplash) testing, the availability of ESC and the presence of speed limitation devices. 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.
3.    Consumers should be aware that results are time dependent, the more recently a car has been tested, the more accurate and up-to-date the results of its safety performance. Only ratings for the year the car was tested apply for older or second-hand cars. These ratings can be considered compromised if the car has been involved in an accident.