Eight cars gain five stars

MAXIMUM five star Euro NCAP crash test ratings for occupant protection are no longer a rarity with a further eight cars claiming the honour in the latest round of testing.

Among them is the Toyota Prius, the first petrol-electric hybrid to be tested by Euro NCAP.

Other models on-sale in Australia which gained five star results were the Saab 9-3 convertible and Volvo S40.

Cars soon to go on-sale in Australia which were rated at five stars were the Peugeot 407 (October), Opel (Holden) Astra (fourth quarter), Renault Megane CC (fourth quarter) and Volkswagen Golf (September 1 or slightly earlier).

The coupe-cabrio Megane’s result was particularly significant because it achieved the first maximum score in the frontal impact test.

The only new addition to the five star ranks we won’t see her is the Toyota Corolla Verso, a Euro-oriented mini-people mover.

Other vehicles tested in this latest round of Euro NCAP that received four stars for occupant protection were the BMW Z4 roadster (good enough for best in class), Honda Jazz and the Vauxhall/Opel Tigra, a coupe-cabrio which is launched this summer in Europe. The only three star rating went to the Fiat Doblo.

NCAP is regarded as the best independent guide to vehicle crash test safety in the world today, with programs conducted in Europe, the USA, Japan and Australia, although they are not all exactly the same.

The local automotive industry is officially opposed to NCAP and publicising its results. But in recent times that stance has looked all-the-more fractured as individual companies promote five-star performances, most notably Renault.

Euro NCAP results are calculated based on a front impact test is conducted at 64km/h into an offset deformable barrier, a side impact test 50km/h, a pole test at 29km/h and a separately marked pedestrian test at 40km/h.

The Australian NCAP program will introduce a pole test this year and may drop the side impact test.

Pedestrian ratings are out of four stars and none of the cars managed that, the best being the Golf and Jazz on three stars, the latter the best-ever result for a mini-car.

A separate child protection rating is also awarded with a maximum five stars possible although no manufacturer achieved that rating. The 407, Prius, S40, Astra, Golf and Corolla Verso picked up four stars, however.

"These latest test results are the second to give cars a specific rating of between one and five stars for the protection given to children,” explained Euro NCAP chairman Claes Tingvall.

"However, it is important to note that the rating applies to the car in combination with the restraints used in our tests. It does not act as a general rating for the car or the model of child restraint.

"In this phase, all but two of the cars had some form of intelligent seat belt reminder and, for the first time, a seatbelt reminder for rear seats was provided by Volvo, in their S40. This is a most welcome development as increased seat belt wearing rates across the 25 member states of the EU has the potential to save more than 7000 lives.

"I am particularly pleased to see that eight cars achieved the coveted five star Euro NCAP rating for occupant protection and note that manufacturers are setting targets for new designs of car at four and five stars.

"However, whilst Honda continues to lead in the development of pedestrian friendly car fronts, I am disappointed to see that other manufacturers lag so far behind. Manufacturers have risen to the challenge for occupant and child protection it is now time for them to redouble their efforts and move forward in this safety area."