On 25 August 2010, Euro NCAP released the crash test results for the Honda CR-Z, the Suzuki Swift, the Citroen C4 and the Hyundai ix35 with all four cars receiving 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.
Euro NCAP Advanced
From October onwards, Euro NCAP will offer a more comprehensive guidance to consumers about the safety of new cars. "Euro NCAP Advanced" goes beyond the scope of the current crash tests and will assess driver assistance technologies. 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.”
At least one of the cars presented in this release has a driver assistance technology which could be assessed by Euro NCAP Advanced: Three of the cars tested have Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 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.
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.
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