Voyager slammed in latest EuroNCAP testing

GM HOLDEN’s new Captiva SUV has managed a commendable four-star crash test result in the latest European New Car Assessment Program results.

But its success was overshadowed by the poor score achieved by the Chrysler Voyager, which only managed a two-star result, with the last star struck through, seven years after it originally received a two-star result.

Euro NCAP chairman, Claes Tingvall, slammed the Voyager result.

"I find it shocking that, in seven years, this manufacturer has not been able to improve the safety of this MPV - a car that is clearly targeting families," he said.

"Still worse is that Chrysler continues to sell this version in the UK while a better-equipped and better-performing version is available in left hand drive across the rest of Europe.

"I do hope that Chrysler intends to show a greater commitment to safety in the future."

From top: Chevrolet-badged Captiva and Chrysler Voyager (below).

In the latest results, the right-hand drive Voyager did not meet the minimum score for a three-star adult occupant protection rating, putting an unacceptably high risk of serious or fatal injury, resulting in the last star being struck through.

A new Voyager was shown at the recent Detroit motor show but it is not due to go on sale locally until 2008.

By contrast of the other vehicles just tested, Volvo’s new C30 achieved a five-star result and the Volkswagen Eos managed four-stars. Both these cars go on sale in Australia in March.

Both cars, as well as the Voyager, also manage a four-star child protection rating. However, the Voyager received zero for pedestrian protection.

The Captiva received three stars for child protection and two stars for pedestrian protection.

EuroNCAP was critical of certain manufacturers, including Chrysler, who were still ignoring its calls for stronger safety measures in family cars.

EuroNCAP first tested a collection of MPVs, including the Voyager, back in 1999.

At that time, only two out of eight cars received a four-star rating, which was the maximum available then.

In its original testing, EuroNCAP noted that MPVs’ were weaker in frontal impact tests.

But since then officials acknowledged that many manufacturers had made great improvements to their vehicles, particularly in their frontal impact strength.

Last August, EuroNCAP awarded the Ford S-Max, which is not sold here, 36 points and a five-star rating, making it the best performing MPV to date.

However, as the Voyager showed, despite this progress, some manufacturers are continuing to sell cars that are little changed from those tested in 1999.

Mr Tingvall said he was also continually disappointed by the lack of commitment and effort shown by manufacturers to improving the level of pedestrian protection in their vehicles.

"This is an area where there are few front-runners and massive room for improvement," he said.