The 2011 Euro NCAP results are out and the Audi Q3, Chevrolet Aveo, Ford Focus, Mercedes B Class and Volvo V60 all received top marks in testing. There are four assessment areas and a car has to score highly in all of these if it is to get its full 5 stars. The Chevrolet Malibu, Mercedes M Class, Toyota Yaris, Lexus CT200h, Opel Zafira Tourer, Hyundai ix20, and BMW X1 also got the maximum stars possible and were close runners up to the five exceptional entrants.
The Ford Ranger was the only Pickup vehicle tested last year and is also the safest Euro NCAP have ever tested despite the standards being more stringent last year (the minimum score in the pedestrian assessment went up from 40% to 60%). The Nissan LEAF becomes the only EV to get a five star safety rating. This is a big acheivement for the vehicle considering it is given the same test conditions as gasoline equivalents. Its post-crash battery integrity also had to be decent to pass. Euro NCAP were impressed with various manufacturers for their advances within the safety arena. The Ford Focus for example has the option of Active City Stop, Driver Alert, Forward Alert and Lane Keeping Aid which is unusual for a high volume car. The Mercedes B Class and Volvo V60 were also commended for Collision Prevention Assist and City Safety respectively which come in the bracket of Autonomous Emergency Braking Systems (AEB). Dr Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP Secretary General commented: “With Euro NCAP Advanced, we have already recognized a number of technologies offering safety benefits to consumers. The safety case for AEB systems is very strong and we are therefore strongly encouraging manufacturers to increase the availability of such systems on new cars. We are well underway to add the assessment of these systems to the overall rating and to make these systems a requirement for five stars in the future.”
