Euro NCAP Announces the Results of the Latest Round of Crash Tests

The Ford Ranger's five-star rating in the Euro NCAP crash test was a surprise in the sense that it was the first time a pickup truck ever achieved such a high score not only for passenger but also for pedestrian protection as well.

The independent European safety organization also released the results for 11 more new models that were tested along with the Ranger. With the emphasis given these days on safety, the five-star rating awarded in all but one of the models was to be expected.

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All-New Ford Ranger is the First Pickup Ever to be Awarded 5 Stars in Euro NCAP Crash Tests

Ford’s new Ranger is the first pickup tested by the Euro NCAP safety organization to achieve a five-star top rating. The Ranger’s overall score was 89%, which is not only the best ever recorded by a pickup, but one of the highest regardless of class.

Surprisingly, given that it is a pickup, it also managed to receive the best rating ever for pedestrian protection among the cars tested by the Euro NCAP since it was established in 1997, with an 81% score.

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Honda Shows off 2012 Civic Hatchback's Safety Credentials

All car manufactures boast about the high level of safety offered by their vehicles. But we usually don’t find out whether their claims are accurate until they are subjected to crash tests from the likes of Euro NCAP or the IIHS.

Since five stars have become the norm for almost all new models above the city-car level, car manufacturers are trying to outdo each other by achieving new records in each category measured by the independent safety organization(s).

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Nissan Leaf Becomes the first EV to Receive a 5-Star Euro NCAP Rating

After awarding the Mitsubishi i-MiEV with a four-star rating, Euro NCAP, which is the European equivalent of the American IIHS, crash tested its second all-electric model, the Nissan Leaf. The Japanese hatchback achieved a five-star rating, becoming the first electric vehicle to do so. Read more »

Saab Boss Victor Muller Hints at US and EU Distribution of China's Hawtai Cars, Says Buyers Won’t Care about Safety

The ink on the deal / partnership between Saab and China’s Hawtai Motor Group has barely dried, but the Swedish automaker's chairman and Spyker CEO, Victor Muller is already making headlines again by hinting at the distribution of cheap Chinese cars in the United States, Europe and elsewhere through Saab’s established global network.

"We laughed when the Japanese came. We laughed when the Koreans came. But we will not be laughing when the Chinese come. The Chinese are like a steamroller,” said Victor Muller, during a press event in Washington, D.C.

Muller said that if an agreement is reached with Hawtai, the Chinese maker could make use of Saab’s distribution network to sell its cars globally.

"It took 67 years to build up our dealer network. It is the biggest asset not on our asset sheet, and these guys buy into it for free. If they make the proper cars, can you image how much simpler it will be to push product through the distribution network that is already there? It is like a railway network that is already there," said Muller.

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Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf Receive Top IIHS Safety Ratings in Crash Tests

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) released the results of the first-ever U.S. crash test evaluations of plug-in electric cars, with the two EVs earning the highest safety ratings. The Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf were awarded the top rating of “good” for front, side, rear and rollover crash protection.

Since both cars are fitted as standard with electronic stability control systems, they also qualified as winners of Top Safety Pick, the Institute's award for state-of-the-art crash protection.

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Euro NCAP Conducts its First Ever Plug-in EV Crash Test with the i-MiEV and Gives it Four-Stars

The Mitsubishi i-MiEV is the first ever plug-in electric vehicle to be tested by Euro NCAP and marks the start of a series of EV crash-tests planned for this year. Besides the i-MiEV, the European safety institute also rated five conventional models: the BMW X1, Hyundai ix20, Dacia Duster, Mitsubishi ASX and Nissan Juke.

The EV obtained an overall four star rating, the same score being awarded to the i-MiEV's sister models, the Citroen C-Zero and Peugeot iOn, which have the same design and safety equipment. The result was judged as "creditable" by the Euro NCAP.

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Euro NCAP's Best and Worst Performers of 2010

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.

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Landwind CV9 MPV receives Two Stars in Euro NCAP's First Chinese Vehicle Rating

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.

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Euro NCAP Crash Test Results: MiTo, Fiesta, Ka, Insingia, Accord, 308CC and More

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."

New Renault Megane Achieves Best Score in Euro NCAP Crash Test

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.

VW Golf VI Achieves 5-Star Rating at Euro NCAP Crash Tests

As with most new vehicles nowadays, the 2009 Volkswagen Golf VI was awarded with an excellent five-star result for the protection it offers to adult passengers in the latest phase of the Euro NCAP safety tests. The new Golf also scored a four-star rating (out of five) for child protection and an acceptable three out of four stars for pedestrian protection proving that auto manufacturers are finally paying a bit of attention to those unfortunate enough to cross paths with the front-end of your vehicle.

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2009 Audi A4 Earns 5-Star Rating in NHTSA Crash Tests

Audi pompously announced today that its all-new 2009 A4 Sedan managed to rack up a 5-star rating for frontal, side and rollover crashes performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). While the U.S. law requires all passenger cars to pass a 30 mph frontal crash test and a 33.5 mph side crash test, NHSTA's tests involve crashes that are conducted at 5 mph above the required speeds giving one star for the worst performers to five stars for the best models. -Continued

Apparently happy with the results, Audi of America's Executive Vice President Johan de Nysschen said: “Unparalleled safety is a cornerstone of Audi’s new vehicle development and we are thrilled to see the A4 earn top marks in one of the toughest crash testing programs in the world.”

The new A4 officially went on sale in the U.S. in late September and it is currently offered in the States with a choice of two gasoline units, an entry-level 211HP 2.0-liter TFSI and a 265HP 3.2-liter V6 FSI.

Video: Hyundai Genesis Gets 5-Star Ratings in NHTSA’s Crash Tests

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

Via: Safecar.gov

Euro NCAP to Reassess Crash Test Rating System

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.”

Euro NCAP: Daihatsu Cuore, Lancia Delta, Renault Koleos, Hyundai i30, Mercedes M-Class

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.