19.02.2009

New rating to play starring role in improving car safety Euro NCAP, the organisation that assesses the safety of new cars, has introduced a new overall car safety rating. The rating system is a new approach to rating safety performance and will challenge vehicle manufacturers to make all-round safer cars. The first six cars rated to the new standards are now revealed.

Previously, Euro NCAP made three separate ratings available for each vehicle. From now on, Euro NCAP will publish a new overall rating for every vehicle that will cover Adult Occupant Protection, Child Occupant Protection, Pedestrian Protection and a new area of assessment: Safety Assist.

Under the new testing regime, vehicles are awarded a single overall score from one to five stars. The assessment incorporates all previous aspects and includes the recently introduced Rear Impact (Whiplash) tests. In addition, the availability of ESC and speed limitation devices is considered.

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.

Of the six cars tested, four achieved Euro NCAP’s maximum award of five stars. The power of the new scheme is already evident as two manufacturers evaded a downgraded result by making ESC optional on all variants.

Euro NCAP’s top scorers with five star results were the Mazda 6, Mitsubishi Lancer, Toyota Avensis and Toyota iQ. The Citroen C3 Picasso and the Subaru Impreza were both awarded four stars.


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