AUTOCAR SAFETY AWARD 1998 FT GLOBAL AUTOMOTIVE AWARD 1999 IMI GOLD MEDAL AWARDED 2000 QUATTRORUOTE SPECIAL AWARD FOR SAFETY 2001 PRINCE MICHAEL INTERNATIONAL AWARD 2003 PRINCE MICHAEL PREMIER AWARD 2003 AUTOBEST SAFETYBEST AWARD 2004
INTERNET LAUNCH OF RESULTS STRICTLY EMBARGOED UNTIL 10.00 am (CET) Wednesday, 26th November, 2008
THE LAST TIME BEST-SELLING CARS SCORE FIVE STARS?
Euro NCAP today releases the results for some of Europe’s best-selling cars. This is the last time that Euro NCAP will release results under its current rating system, before the organisation’s new rating system is launched in February 2009. Of the twelve vehicles whose results are released today, eight received Euro NCAP’s maximum award 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. Not all of these cars performed as well in child occupant or pedestrian protection. Euro NCAP rated the Dacia Sandero fitted with the basic level of safety equipment and also crash tested the car equipped with the ‘safety pack’, which is standard on some variants and optional on others. The Sandero fitted with the basic level of equipment scored three stars in adult occupant protection whilst the car with the optional safety pack, scored the equivalent of four stars. Euro NCAP is disappointed that this pack is not offered as standard on all variants, given the additional safety it offers to adult occupants. Following Euro NCAP’s first tests on pickups earlier this year, the organisation today also releases the result for another: the Ford Ranger. The vehicle received a two star rating for adult occupant protection, underlining the lack of emphasis given by most manufacturers to the safety of cars in this category. 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 prioritise and maximise the safety options on their vehicles.’ The first results for vehicles tested under the new rating system will be released in February 2009. Results released today are for cars in the categories Supermini, Small Family, Large Family, Small Off-Roader, Pick up and Large MPV. The ratings for these cars can be seen in more detail at www.euroncap.com. Euro NCAP’s test results are released on a quarterly basis. Keep checking our website for details of forthcoming results. For further information please contact: Alex Wood, Media and Office Assistant +32 2 4007740 or Alexandra_wood@euroncap.com
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RATING CLASS
SUPERMINI Alfa Romeo Mito Dacia Sandero Ford Ka Ford Fiesta SMALL FAMILY Peugeot 308CC Volkswagen Golf VI Renault Megane LARGE FAMILY Honda Accord Opel Insignia SMALL OFF-ROADER Volvo XC60 PICK-UP Ford Ranger LARGE MPV Mercedes Benz Viano
Adult Occupant Protection
Child Occupant Protection
Pedestrian Protection
5 stars 3 stars 4 stars 5 stars
3 stars 4 stars 3 stars 4 stars
2 stars 1 star 2 stars 3 stars
5 stars 5 stars 5 stars
3 stars 4 stars 4 stars
2 stars 3 stars 2 stars
5 stars 5 stars
4 stars 4 stars
3 stars 2 stars
5 stars
4 stars
2 stars
2 stars
3 stars
2 star
4 stars
3 stars
1 star
Editors’ notes
1. The front impact test is conducted at 64km/h (40mph) into an offset deformable barrier, the side impact test 50km/h (30mph), the pole test at 29km/h (18mph) and the pedestrian tests at 40km/h (25mph). Comparison between Size Categories: It is essential that no attempt is made to compare the ratings between cars in different segments or mass groups. The frontal crash test aims to measure the performance of the car impacting another car of similar mass. There is no capability to determine what would happen if cars of widely different masses impact each other. It is not primarily the mass difference that has the effect, but the effect that mass has on the structural stiffness combined with the relative height of the structures from the ground.
2.
2, Place du Luxembourg · 1050 Brussels · Belgium · T: +32 2 400 77 40 · F: +32 2 400 77 41 · E-mail: info@euroncap.com VAT: BE 465 041 160 & GB 740 565 340