This Wednesday leading European crash-test agency Euro NCAP has unveiled the results for six new cars. Mazda's all-new Mazda2 is the latest of all superminis to be awarded the Euro NCAP five star safety rating. Earlier this year the Mini and the Fiat 500 were awarded five stars. The brand-new Mercedes C-class, the Volvo V70 and the Renault Laguna were among the three other cars to be awarded the maximum five points in adult protection. The Honda Civic and the Daihatsu Materia, which recently featured in Top Gear in a side-by-side comparison with the Ascari A10, both scored four stars in the latest Euro NCAP crash test.
Despite the magnificent results achieved in adult protection, there is clearly a lot of room for improvement in the pedestrian safety. Euro NCAP expressed its disappointment with "none of the cars achieving higher than three stars (of max. five) for pedestrian protection."
Furthermore, both the Mazda2 and the Volvo V70 endured problems with the deployment of the cars' airbags, where minor disturbances "could occur in real life accidents." Euro NCAP insists that both manufacturers have taken the steps to rectify the problems and that all owners have been contacted for the necessary upgrades. While such disturbances are not part of the crash test, Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General of Euro NCAP is keen to add that "this is exactly why Euro NCAP exists: to independently evaluate the protection that these cars offer consumers and to spot just this kind of error. If there is a safety problem, we will not re-test the vehicle unless the problem is fixed on all cars."
Now that five stars is becoming the industry standard... about time to extend the scale?
Press Release
5-STARS FOR NEW MAZDA2 IN LATEST Euro NCAP RATINGS
The all-new Mazda2 supermini has been awarded a 5-Star safety rating in the latest round of Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme) crash tests.
In terms of occupant protection, the new Mazda2 proved itself to be among the safest cars in the small car segment – earning the maximum 5-Stars for adult protection, plus a class-leading 4-Stars for child protection and a competitive 2-Stars for pedestrian protection.
“This is an excellent result for Mazda2, which is now officially one of the safest small cars,” commented Rob Lindley, Managing Director Mazda Motors UK. “Mazda’s designers and engineers have demonstrated that lightweight construction, which is so important in cutting fuel consumption and reducing emissions, does not mean having to compromise on strength or safety.”
The new Mazda2 weighs under 1,000kg, significantly less than the outgoing model, and its lightweight construction using ultra high-tensile steels, combined with sophisticated aerodynamics, enables the car to achieve reduced CO2 emissions (from 129g/km) and fuel consumption (up to 52.3mpg), while ensuring brisk acceleration and agile handling characteristics.
The three-strong Mazda2 range of petrol models is available in the UK from just £8,499 (on-the-road), with diesel models in showrooms from March 2008.
Today, Euro NCAP releases the results for six cars: the Daihatsu Materia, Mazda 2, Honda Civic, Mercedes Benz C Class, Renault Laguna and the Volvo V70, which were all put through Euro NCAP’s rigorous testing process. Euro NCAP tests unearthed faults that even the manufacturers’ own safety tests failed to pick up.
During the tests of the Mazda 2, a supermini, and the Volvo V70, a large family car, problems were noted with the deployment of both these cars’ airbags. In the frontal impact test of the Mazda 2, a small disturbance shortly before impact led to a delay in the firing of the airbags and protection of the front seat occupants was compromised. Although these disturbances are not part of Euro NCAP’s tests, they could occur in real life accidents. In the case of the Volvo V70, curtain airbag deployment was delayed in the side pole test.
Both manufacturers took steps to rectify the problems in their vehicles. Mazda improved the airbag control software in production cars and will contact all Mazda 2 owners, to ensure their cars are upgraded. Volvo agreed to modify production cars and to contact all V70 owners. As a result of the commitment shown to modify the cars to the upgraded specification, both Volvo and Mazda were granted re-tests. The results released today are based on these re-tests. During the re-testing, the airbags of the Mazda 2 deployed as expected but, unfortunately, the Volvo V70’s curtain airbag again fired late. Volvo is currently investigating this issue. Consumers who are concerned about their own vehicles should contact their local dealer.
Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General of Euro NCAP ‘This is exactly why Euro NCAP exists: to independently evaluate the protection that these cars offer consumers and to spot just this kind of error. If there is a safety problem, we will not re-test the vehicle unless the problem is fixed on all cars.’
Of the results released today, four cars received five stars in adult occupant protection. These were the Mazda 2, the Mercedes Benz C Class, the Renault Laguna and the Volvo V70. The Renault Laguna would have been Euro NCAP’s highest ever scorer in adult occupant protection if it had not lost a point for the opening of a rear door in the side impact test.
Euro NCAP is disappointed to see that none of the cars achieved higher than three stars for pedestrian protection.
Results released today are for cars in the Supermini, Small Family and Large Family categories. The ratings for this car can be seen in more detail at www.euroncap.com.
Euro NCAP’s commitment to consumers ensures that test results are released as soon as possible. Keep checking our website for details of forthcoming results.
