Euro NCAP's best performing cars of 2010

Best performing cars of 2010   Euro NCAP is glad to announce the five best performing cars of 2010. To be selected as safest cars of their categories, these vehicles achieved a high overall score and attained the coveted five star rating.   Last year, Euro NCAP crash tested twenty nine vehicles, 65% of which reached the five star rating, compared to 90% in 2009. This decrease of 25% clearly shows that Euro NCAP's criteria to reach a five stars are now tougher. While Euro NCAP's poorest results of 2010 were achieved by the Citroen Nemo with three stars and by the Landwind CV9 which received only two stars, the top achievers by category 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 To be top achiever means that the car accomplished a high combined score based on the scores in each of the individual four areas of Euro NCAP's assessment, while notably exceeding the thresholds for a 5 star overall rating. In addition to the top five achievers, the Suzuki Swift, Kia Venga, BMW X1, VW Sharan/Seat Alhambra, Citroen C4 all exceeded the 80% mark in overall score putting them on the list of best performing cars of 2010. Dr Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP Secretary General says: "Every year, car manufacturers constantly work to innovate and make their cars better and safer for the driver, whatever the size of the vehicle. The presence in these categories of high performing 5 star cars demonstrates car manufacturers' commitment to safety for all sizes of vehicles." Euro NCAP is now performing Electronic Stability Control tests as part of the overall assessment. Since 2009, Euro NCAP requires ESC systems to be fitted as standard and will from now on be measuring its performance when testing the vehicles. ESC is meant to reduce the number of deaths and injuries resulting from crashes in which the driver loses directional control of the vehicle, including those resulting in vehicle rollover. The full list of cars tested in 2010 is published on the website. Next results will be released on 23rd February 2011. For more information, please contact Marie Brasseur, Euro NCAP Communications Manager at marie_brasseur@euroncap.com or +32 2 4007746.     Click here to unregister from mailing list

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Automobile Club d'Italia joins Euro NCAP

Automobile Club d'Italia joins Euro NCAP   Euro NCAP is glad to announce that Automobile Club d'Italia, better known as ACI, will formally become Euro NCAP's twelfth member as of 1st January 2011. With 1.1 million members, ACI is the largest association representing the interest of Italian car drivers at the national and international levels. Since its foundation in 1905, ACI has grown into an important network for motoring consumers in Italy. The organization actively disseminates and promotes road safety issues such as the risks of drink driving, active and passive safety devices, and road safety education. Enrico Gelpi, ACI's President says: 'By joining Euro NCAP, ACI will further strengthen its role as an important advocate for safer cars on Italian roads.' Italy is the second largest European automotive market and has the highest rate of car ownership in Europe – 60 cars per 100 inhabitants, with around 36 million circulating cars. As a Euro NCAP member, ACI will sponsor the testing of at least one car model per year and contribute actively to the development of the program. Euro NCAP is composed of motoring, consumer and insurance organizations as well as seven European Governments. However, until now Italy was not directly represented in Euro NCAP. Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP Secretary General, says: 'With every new member that joins Euro NCAP, we build momentum and create new opportunities to raise awareness about safer cars. Italians love their cars and everything about cars. ACI's membership will bring the Italian car buyers not only improvement in the availability of accurate and timely information about vehicle safety, but also more direct influence on future demands in terms of technology and fitment. We warmly welcome ACI and hope this new commitment will help further increase the safety culture in Italy.' For more information, please contact Marie Brasseur, Euro NCAP Communications Manager at marie_brasseur@euroncap.com or +32 2 4007746. About Euro NCAP Euro NCAP organizes crash tests on new vehicles and 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 backed by several European Governments, motoring, consumer and insurance organizations, Euro NCAP has rapidly become a catalyst for encouraging significant safety improvements to new car design. Visit our website. About ACI ACI is a Federation of 106 Provincial Automobile Clubs. It represents and protects the interests of Italian motoring, promoting its development by the widespreading of a new mobility culture. Entrusted by the State with the running of some public services such as the Public Register of Motor vehicles, ACI has close to 1.1 million members and is affiliated to the FIA   Click here to unregister from mailing list

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Euro NCAP publishing first Chinese vehicle rating

Euro NCAP publishing first Chinese vehicle rating   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/Vauxhall Meriva and the facelifted VW Passat. The Nissan Micra was rewarded with four stars. Details of the results and footages of the crash tests can all be found on our website. For more information, please contact Marie Brasseur, Euro NCAP Communications Manager at marie_brasseur@euroncap.com or +32 2 4007746. 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. Visit our website: www.euroncap.com

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Launch of Latin NCAP

Latin NCAP joining worldwide NCAP consumer testing for automotive safety   Consumers in Latin America and the Caribbean will now be able to compare the safety performance of new cars from leading global brands. The launch of Latin NCAP has taken place on 18th October 2010 simultaneously in Montevideo, Uruguay and São Paolo, Brazil. On this day, the new association released test results of nine cars from the popular small vehicle class using the same frontal impact test that is included in Euro NCAP's test programme. Latin America is a rapidly growing automobile market and source of vehicle production. It is also experiencing high levels of road fatalities and serious injuries. Latin NCAP is the first independent programme to be established in one of the world's newly motorizing regions and is a historic step forward in the availability of consumer crash test information. The FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile), FIA Foundation, ICRT (International Consumer Research and Testing) and GRMF (the Gonzalo Rodriguez Memorial Foundation) with support of the IDB (the Inter-American Development Bank), have joined forces in setting up Latin NCAP. The programme is expected to contribute to the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 which could save five million lives on the world's roads if successfully implemented. Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General of Euro NCAP, says 'We congratulate the partners in Latin NCAP for taking this important step for the Latin American and Caribbean region. Latin NCAP will not only contribute to raising the standards of car safety and to increasing the levels of protection given to drivers, adult passengers and children, but also help increase much needed public awareness about the importance of safer road transport.' The nine cars recently assessed by Latin NCAP have been subjected to impact crash testing and safety equipment, including airbags and seatbelts, for drivers, passengers and children has been rated. Separate star ratings for the safety of adults and children have been given with five stars awarded for the best possible performances. The results of the tested cars have been presented on 18th October 2010 during the launch of the programme both in Montevideo, Uruguay and São Paolo, Brazil. Details of the results can be found on the Latin NCAP website: www.latinncap.com. For further information please contact Marie Brasseur, Communications Manager at marie_brasseur@euroncap.com, +32 2 4007746 or the Latin NCAP Secretariat at secretaria@latinncap.com.     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. Visit our website: www.euroncap.com

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AUTOCAR SAFETY AWARD 1998 FT GLOBAL AUTOMOTIVE AWARD 1999 IMI GOLD MEDAL AWARDED 2000 QUATTRORUOTE SPECIAL AWARD FOR SAFETY 2001 PRINCE MICHAEL PREMIER AWARD 2003 AUTOBEST SAFETYBEST AWARD 2004

Euro NCAP reveals today's best safety innovations

Paris - Euro NCAP presented the first Euro NCAP Advanced rewards at a press conference held on October 1st 2010 at the Paris Motor Show. Ten technologies developed by car manufacturers were rewarded for offering scientifically proven safety benefits.

Euro NCAP Advanced is a Euro NCAP initiative in response to the rapid development of new technologies available when buying cars for which there is no independent assessment. By rewarding advanced technologies, Euro NCAP is now providing an incentive to car manufacturers to accelerate the standard fitment of important safety equipment across their model ranges as well as offering more comprehensive guidance to consumers about the safety of new cars, helping them to make the right purchase decision.

The organization has rewarded the first set of manufacturers for their efforts in their development of new safety features. The 2010 rewarded advanced technologies are:

Audi Side Assist
BMW Assist Advanced eCall
Honda Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)
Mercedes-Benz PRE-SAFE® and PRE-SAFE® Brake
Opel Eye
Peugeot Connect SOS and
Citroën Localized Emergency Call
Volkswagen Lane Assist
Volvo City Safety

Euro NCAP Advanced is open to any technical system that has a proven safety benefit, whether it is primary, secondary or tertiary, as long as it is available as an option on one of the Euro NCAP tested cars and not already addressed by the current star rating. The overall rating consists of an independent verification of a car by Euro NCAP based on crash tests and published protocols, The Euro NCAP Advanced assessment is based entirely on manufacturers' data generated in their own defined test conditions and rigorously analysed by a team of experts appointed by Euro NCAP. In addition, Euro NCAP Advanced requires manufacturers to identify exactly what the safety impact of their technology may be in European countries, taking into consideration the different infrastructure, jurisdictions and at times driver behaviour.

Car manufacturers are pleased that Euro NCAP is launching an initiative which raises awareness of significant systems offering a safety benefit. Dr van Ratingen said: 'Carmakers were involved in the development of the process and were very keen to get their systems into the assessment. We ended up having almost too many dossiers to cope with and we have more coming up in the next months, which is a clear sign that the industry is actively driving safety improvements, even when green cars are top on the agenda.'

Most systems rewarded at the Paris Motor Show were developed a few years ago and have been in the marketplace for at least a year or two. In the future, Euro NCAP Advanced will be able to use the methodology to assess completely new technologies, tackling areas of safety which have not yet been addressed.

Sometimes, it has proven very challenging for some carmakers to present a convincing case on which the Euro NCAP Advanced reward can be based. Not all of the technologies put forward in this first set of assessments have been rewarded. However, manufacturers can further develop their dossiers to demonstrate more clearly the benefits of their technologies, and Euro NCAP would be happy to reassess their systems at that stage.

So far, the dialog with manufacturers on their technologies is helping Euro NCAP to better understand the issues with the current generation of systems and fully digest the way carmakers have evaluated the performance of their systems both in laboratory tests as on the real roads.

The reward systems works two ways: on one hand by rewarding new innovations, Euro NCAP is now helping accelerate uptake of important safety features with the aim to make consumers more aware on the availability and function of these systems. On the other hand, this ultimately provides Euro NCAP with the knowledge to develop future protocols that might be included in the current star rating. Indeed, the overall rating system with its four pillars is designed to make inclusion of new methods, as early as 2013, thus challenging vehicle manufacturers to make all-round safer cars.

Euro NCAP is confirming that other technologies will be assessed in the coming months and will be announced in 2011.
Detailed information about the 2010 rewarded technologies, their safety benefits and the related cars is now available on Euro NCAP's website: www.euroncap.com/rewards.aspx

For more details, please contact Marie Brasseur, Communications Manager at email or +32 2 4007746.

 

 

EURO NCAP | 2 PLACE DU LUXEMBOURG, 1050 BRUSSELS, BELGIUM | TEL: +32 2 400 77 40 | FAX: +32 2 400 77 41
WEB: www.euroncap.com | E-MAIL: info@euroncap.com | VAT: BE 465 041 160 , GB 740 565 340

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AUTOCAR SAFETY AWARD 1998 FT GLOBAL AUTOMOTIVE AWARD 1999 IMI GOLD MEDAL AWARDED 2000 QUATTRORUOTE SPECIAL AWARD FOR SAFETY 2001 PRINCE MICHAEL PREMIER AWARD 2003 AUTOBEST SAFETYBEST AWARD 2004

Euro NCAP to Reward Advanced Safety Technologies

Today, at the eSafety Challenge Euro NCAP is announcing Euro NCAP Advanced, a reward system for new and emerging safety technologies.

Recent technological advancements have considerably broadened the automotive safety landscape. Features like Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Monitoring, Attention Assist, Autonomous Braking and Emergency Call are increasingly offered as options by car makers on their newest models. However, with so many technologies entering the market, and with no independent advice on the safety benefit they offer, many consumers are left feeling confused.

Euro NCAP Advanced aims to provide car buyers with clear guidance about the safety benefits which these new technologies offer them and their families. The new reward system, complementing Euro NCAP's existing star rating scheme, will recognize and reward manufacturers who promote those new safety technologies which have a scientifically proven safety benefit. By rewarding technologies which may currently be fitted only on luxury models or as options, Euro NCAP will provide an incentive to manufacturers to accelerate the standard fitment of important safety equipment across their entire model ranges, bringing safety benefits to all.

Many of the technologies are so new that no accepted standards exist to assess them. Euro NCAP has developed a unique methodology which allows the potential safety benefits of any new technology to be determined. Unlike Euro NCAP's well established assessments involving physical tests at a crash laboratory, the new process is based entirely on the assessment of scientific evidence presented by the vehicle manufacturer. An independent panel of experts looks at the extent of the safety problem which a new technology aims to address. Through a logical and rigorous analysis of the way in which the technology has been developed, tested and validated, and from any real-world experience that may exist, the system's performance and its expected effectiveness can be determined. Recognition of the potential benefit of these new technologies in no way undermines the importance of basic crash safety: cars are eligible for a Euro NCAP Advanced reward only if they have already achieved a creditable three star rating in the overall rating scheme.

At the eSafety Challenge in Millbrook, Dr Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General of Euro NCAP said "With these rewards Euro NCAP will add a new dimension to its mission. From now on consumers will be able to learn more about the benefits of advanced safety systems in their car and consult Euro NCAP for advice before deciding on purchase. Collectively we can make another step forward in effectively reducing traffic fatalities and injuries on European roads."

At the upcoming Paris Motor Show in October 2010, the association will reward the first set of manufacturers for their efforts in their development of new advanced safety features. Information about the rewarded technologies will be posted on the car's webpage of Euro NCAP's website. http://www.euroncap.com/rewards.aspx 

For further information please contact: Marie Brasseur, Euro NCAP Communications Manager at the following number +32 2 4007740 or at email

 

EURO NCAP | 2 PLACE DU LUXEMBOURG, 1050 BRUSSELS, BELGIUM | TEL: +32 2 400 77 40 | FAX: +32 2 400 77 41
WEB: www.euroncap.com | E-MAIL: info@euroncap.com | VAT: BE 465 041 160 , GB 740 565 340

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AUTOCAR SAFETY AWARD 1998 FT GLOBAL AUTOMOTIVE AWARD 1999 IMI GOLD MEDAL AWARDED 2000 QUATTRORUOTE SPECIAL AWARD FOR SAFETY 2001 PRINCE MICHAEL PREMIER AWARD 2003 AUTOBEST SAFETYBEST AWARD 2004

Euro NCAP commences it's focus on Plug-In vehicles and advanced safety technologies

 Today, Euro NCAP, the organisation dedicated to revealing the safety of new cars, releases the crash test results for four vehicles: the Honda CR-Z, the Suzuki Swift, the Citroen C4 and the Hyundai ix35. In this latest set of results, Euro NCAP is glad to announce that all of the cars received a maximum five star rating.

The results show that manufacturers are rising to the challenges of Euro NCAP's new rating scheme and are continuing to make safety a priority. The Honda CR-Z demonstrates that good all round safety needs not be compromised by a fuel efficient petrol-electric hybrid powertrain: its pedestrian protection result continues the high scores achieved by recently tested Hondas. Several manufacturers are expected to release fully electric vehicles in the near future. Euro NCAP is poised to test them to ensure that high safety standards are maintained, with the first results expected early in 2011.

From October onwards, Euro NCAP will be able to offer even more comprehensive guidance to consumers about the safety offered by new cars. Euro NCAP Advanced will assess those technologies which are beyond the scope of the current crash tests. At least one of the cars presented today has a driver assistance technology which could be assessed by Euro NCAP Advanced. The organisation will release the findings of its first assessments at the Paris Motor Show on 1st October.

Euro NCAP's Secretary General, Michiel van Ratingen, said, "I am looking forward to the launch of Euro NCAP Advanced. The new assessments will broaden the scope of our safety assessments and will greatly enhance the information we are able to provide to consumers. It is reassuring that, as well as developing these new advanced technologies, manufacturers are not neglecting fundamental crash protection and today's results show that car-makers are still striving for the very best levels of protection."

Three of the cars tested for this release have electronic stability control completely as standard. The Citroën C4 is offered with ESC as an option on the lowest specification in some countries but qualifies for five stars as sales of ESC as standard equipment are expected to far outstrip those of the optionally equipped car. Euro NCAP's requirements on ESC have encouraged much broader fitment of this important technology by car manufacturers, ahead of the European legislation which will begin in 2012 for new car models and 2014 for all cars. Three of the cars demonstrated good protection against whiplash injuries in a rear-end collision, the Citroën C4 being the only one rated as marginal in this regard. However, the C4 was the only car to be rewarded for an active, driver-set speed limitation device which assists drivers in maintaining a safe driving speed. Euro NCAP believes that car manufacturers who are committed to safety need to be justly awarded with a good overall rating and is encouraging all car manufacturers to reach such good results in the future.

Results released today are in the categories Small Family, Supermini and Small Offroad 4x4. The ratings for these cars can be seen in more details at www.euroncap.com. Euro NCAP releases new test results on a quarterly basis. Keep checking our website for more details or forthcoming results.

For further information, please contact: Marie Brasseur, Communications Manager +32 2 4007746 or email

 

Make and model		Overall Rating	Adult Occupant Protection	Child Occupant Protection	Pedestrian Protection	Safety Assist
	Citroen C4
	Honda CR-Z
	Hyundai ix35
	Suzuki Swift

EURO NCAP | 2 PLACE DU LUXEMBOURG, 1050 BRUSSELS, BELGIUM | TEL: +32 2 400 77 40 | FAX: +32 2 400 77 41
WEB: www.euroncap.com | E-MAIL: info@euroncap.com | VAT: BE 465 041 160 , GB 740 565 340

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