Each huge manufacturer is perfectly aware that releasing a new car involves facing a number of risks. Neither thousands of human-hours nor millions of euro spent on testing can ensure that the car will pass EuroNCAP tests with flying colors. Year after year the passive safety committee featuring experts from the UK, Germany, France, Sweden and other countries spends hundreds of thousands of euro on testing all the novelties entering the European market.

The first tests according to the set standards were carried out in 1997 – at those time only the front collision was obligatory. Nowadays, EuroNCAP rating includes front collision with a deformable obstacle at 64 km/h, side collision with a stiff barrier at 50 km/h, pedestrian accident at 40 km/k, and front stand collision (which imitates roll-over) at 28 km/h.

Three years ago the basic test program started featuring tests using recommended children seats. This innovation caused a number of hacks. For instance, Renault Twingo got only 4 overall stars as the recommended seats didn’t match the fastenings – for Renault such a result was a complete failure.

Nevertheless, Renault was the first European manufacturer to released a 5-star car on the market – Laguna 2002. A number of reliable organizations conduct tests according to EuroNCAP’s methods – the German ADAC plus a wide range of specialized Mass Media.

But the Euro committee is not planning to stop at this level: in the near future the standards will be reconsidered and the term “passive safety” will gain new meanings. It is no big secret that at the moment the overwhelming majority of cars get 5-star ratings and that forces the testers to toughen the requirements. Thus, this year the requirements will include active head-rests – they effectively protect the spine and head in crashed from the back.

But the most peculiar thing is that there will be new tests: ESP, ABS and other systems’ tests. In fact, the huge American and European manufacturers are able to answer to the new requirements adequately, but the case is not that obvious with the Chinese manufacturers. The exact dates of the introduction of the new standards have not been announced yet, but, according to a number of worthy sources, this introduction is inevitable.

What does that mean for the consumers? First of all, it is another rise of prices, isn’t it?

Engine of the Year Goes To…

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Total Rating: 1/5

Pedestrian protection: 1/4

Children protection: 2/5

Front crash: 2 (13%)

Side crash: 15 (84%)

Total: 17 (43%)

Pedestrian protection: 2 (6%)

Children protection: 22 (37%)

The total failure in the front crash-test didn’t allow the Japanese car to get more than 2 Euro NCAP stars even though the final sum is slightly higher. More than that, the crossed seconds star means that the probability of getting a deadly injure is very high.

Front impact

At a front impact the interior of the car was significantly damaged. In case of a crash the driver will be in tough conditions. Not being equipped with airbags, D-Max showed poor head protection. The loads on the dummy’s chest and neck were so huge that they were stated as incompatible with life – this is what the crossed second star means. The elements of the dashboard are dangerous for the driver’s and passenger’s knees. The brake pedal displaced upwards which could cause serious crus traumas of the driver. The flood under the driver’s legs got deformed creating danger for the feet.

Side impact

The side impact figures were much better than those of a front impact. The car could get extra point for a column crash but it is not equipped with side airbags.

Children safety

The holding systems used in the crash-tests:

• 18-month kid - Recaro Start opposite the direction of the motion
• 3-year-old child - Recaro Start forward the direction of the motion

The head movement of a 3-year-old child at a front impact exceeded the admissible norms, which can lead to its blow against the interior elements. At the side impact this was reduced by side head-rests of the children’s seat.

The car under testing wasn’t equipped with a front passenger airbag. It is available optionally, but it is impossible to switch off for the installation of a children’s seat. The warning sign is available only in English. The presence of ISOFIX fastenings is not marked properly.

Pedestrian protection

The bumper, and the front end of the bonnet didn’t get protection points at all. Only the part of the front end that is potentially contacting the head of an adult got more or less tolerant result.

Basic Safety systems installed on the car in Europe:

• Front air-bags
• Front safety belts with preload system and strain limiter
• ISOFIX fastenings of the rear side seats

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Mitsubishi L200 (2008)

Total Rating: 4/5

Pedestrian protection: 1/4

Children protection: 3/5

Front crash: 9 (57%)

Side crash: 16 (89%)

Total: 27 (68%)

Pedestrian protection: 2 (6%)

Children protection: 32 (54%)

The Mitsubishi pickup hasn’t showed the best result in crash-tests gaining only 4 Euro NCAP stars. Nevertheless, even this not-that-high result enables the car to come first among all the tested by Euro NCAP cars in the respect of adults protection.

Front impact

The protection of the chest is at a low level – the sensors on the dummy’s chest showed increased loads. The floor under the driver’s legs warped, but on the whole the interior resisted the impact well. The front passengers can be damaged by the elements of the dashboard.

Side impact

L200 has got the highest marks for side impact. The car is not equipped with a side airbag (which increases the protection of the head) that’s why the car didn’t undergo the additional side crash (against a column).

Children Protection

The holding systems used in the crash-tests:

• 18-month kid - Britax Romer Baby Safe Plus opposite the direction of the motion
• 3-year-old child - Britax Romer Duo Plus ISOFIX forward the direction of the motion

The front passenger airbag can be switched off in order to mount a children seat. But the current state of the airbag is not shown to the driver distinctly enough. The presence of ISOFIX fastenings isn’t marked properly either

Pedestrian Protection

L200 got 2 points out of 36 for the protection of pedestrians. All the elements of the front end of the car carry potential danger for them.

Basic Safety systems installed on the car in Europe:

• Front air-bags
• Front safety belts with preload system and strain limiter
• The alarm of the unfastened front belts
• ISOFIX fastenings of the rear side seats

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Daihatsu Materia 2007

Total Rating: 4/5

Pedestrian protection: 2/4

Children protection: 3/5

Front crash: 10 (63%)

Side crash: 15 (84%)

Total: 27 (68%)

Pedestrian protection: 16 (45%)

Children protection: 33 (55%)

Front impact

The driver’s dummy has showed significant displacement of a femoral bone and a tibia which might lead to knee traumas. Some dashboard elements create theoretical danger for knees as well. All of this lead to a very low ranking of the protection of this zone. But on the whole the body resisted the blow fine.

Side impact

Front passenger air-bar comes only as an option, that’s why a crash with a stake which could give the car extra points wasn’t conducted.

Children Safety

The holding systems used in the crash-tests:

• 18-month kid - Britax Romer Baby Safe Plus opposite the direction of the motion
• 3-year-old child - Britax Romer Duo Plus ISOFIX forward the direction of the motion

The front airbag can be switched off in order to place a children’s seat on the front seat of the car. The warning sign understandably informs about the danger of mounting a seat in such a position with the airbag switched on. But there is no indicator that shows the driver the current state of the airbag. Moreover, the availability of ISOFIX fastenings on side rear seats isn’t market properly.

Pedestrian Protection

The bumper got high marks for the protection, whereas the bonnet – only in the area of a probable contact with the head of an adult

Basic Safety systems installed on the car in Europe:

• Front air-bags
• Side air-bags for body
• Front safety belts with preload system and strain limiter
• The alarm of the unfastened front belts
• ISOFIX fastenings of the rear side seats

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Total Rating: 5/5

Pedestrian protection: 2/5

Children protection: 3/5

Front crash: 15 (94%)

Side crash: 18 (100%)

Total: 36 (90%)

Additional: 3 (%)

Pedestrian protection: 11 (31%)

Children protection: 32 (54%)

Front impact

The body of the car resisted the impact well. The sensors on the dummies have shown that the knees of the front passengers are well protected, and Mercedes has provided the information on the results of tests for people of other height and body built. The results are the same.

Side impact

In side crash tests Mercedes got the highest marks for safety.

Children protection

The holding systems used in the crash-tests:

• 18-month kid - Romer Baby Safe plus opposite the direction of the motion
• 3-year-old child - Romer Duo plus forward the direction of the motion

As an option for C-class comes a system that automatically switches off a front airbag if a children’s seat is installed on the front seat. Without this system the installation of such a seat is forbidden (as it is impossible to switch the airbag off manually). But the warning sign can be easily removed which doesn’t meet the requirements of EuroNCAP. The presence of ISOFIX is not marked in a proper way.

Pedestrian protection

The bumper of the car got the highest marks for the protection of pedestrians’ legs. Other elements of the front end of the car have low protection level.

Basic Safety systems installed on the car in Europe:

• Front air-bags
• Side air-bags for head and body
• Front safety belts with preload system and strain limiter
• The alarm of the unfastened front belts
• ISOFIX fastenings of the rear side seats

Crash Ratings: 2007 Mazda 2

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Total Rating: 5/5

Pedestrian protection: 2/4

Children protection: 4/5

Front crash: 16 (100%)

Side crash: 17 (95%)

Total: 34 (85%)

Pedestrian protection: 18 (50%)

Children protection: 37 (62%)

At the front crash a slight fault caused a delay in the reaction of airbags that’s why the protection of passengers didn’t work properly. Mazda had studied the case introduced changes in the program of airbag management in order to prevent such accidents. Now all the new cars are equipped with the renewed program and all the previously released ones – modified. After the modification another crash tests was conducted, the above seen results are the results of this second test.

Front crash

The power structure of the body resisted the hit well. The knees of the driver and front passenger are properly protected. Mazda has released all the necessary information that proves the same protection of knees for people of different height and built.

Side crash

One of the rear doors opened at a side impact that’s why Mazda didn’t count up 1 point.

Children protection

The holding systems used in the crash-tests:

• 18-month kid - Fair “Bobsy” G 0/1 ISOFIX opposite the direction of the motion
• 3-year-old child - Fair “Bobsy” G 0/1 ISOFIX forward the direction of the motion

Mazda got the highest ranking for the protection of a 3-year-old dummy. At the same time the mark for children protection includes other parameters. One can switch off the front airbag to place a children seat. Without this measure the placement of a seat with the back ahead is prohibited. The warning sign is stuck to the sun visor, but it is not visible when it is folded. The presence of ISOFIX isn’t marked properly.

Pedestrian protection

The car is quite good at declining the consequences of a crash for a pedestrian’s legs – the bumper got “good” mark for this kind of protection. Other elements of the car are not that safe for pedestrians.

Basic Safety systems installed on the car in Europe:

• Front air-bags
• Side air-bags for head and body
• Front safety belts with preload system and strain limiter
• The alarm of the unfastened front belts
• ISOFIX fastenings of the rear side seats

Crash Ratings: 2007 Honda Civic

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Total Rating: 4/5

Pedestrian protection: 3/4

Children protection: 4/5

Front crash: 11 (69%)

Side crash: 16 (89%)

Total: 30 (75%)

Pedestrian protection: 24 (67%)

Children protection: 38 (64%)

The latest generation of Civic has already undergone EuroNCAP tests, but Honda has made certain changes into the construction of safety systems in 2008 model line. Thus the time of response of preload devices decreased for more effective work of safety belts. The previous airbag gave way to a modern one with two modes. The side airbag has been modernized as well and has bigger capacity.

Front crash

The new airbag wasn’t able to prevent the driver’s head touch the steering-wheel, but it is the only factor according to which the new Civic in inferior to the previous generation. At the same time now the protection of any area is not lower than the “sufficient” level. As before the body has stood the crash well enough, but a few elements of the front panel might injure the knees of the driver.

Side crash

The load on the chest of the driver has got lower, but it still exceeds the safe figure.

Children safety

The holding systems used in the crash-tests:

• 18-month kid - Fair “Bobsy” G 0/1 ISOFIX opposite the direction of the motion
• 3-year-old child - Fair “Bobsy” G 0/1 ISOFIX forward the direction of the motion

In order to equip the front seat with a children’s seat, the airbag can be switched off by Honda dealer. A special warning sign draws attention to the fact that it is dangerous to place the seat with the airbag turned on. Only the presence of ISOFIX fastenings are not indicated properly.

Pedestrian protection

The changes in safety systems didn’t touch the body of the car and that’s why pedestrian protection remained at the same level. Nevertheless, 3 stars in not a bad result in this discipline. The front bumper and the front edge of the cowling well decrease the outcome of a collision for a pedestrian. Moreover, the cowling shows good figures in the area where a child’s head touches it.

Basic Safety systems installed on the car in Europe:

• Front air-bags
• Side air-bags for head and body
• Front safety belts with preload system and strain limiter
• The alarm of the unfastened front belts
• ISOFIX fastenings of the rear side seats

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The basic version of Jeep Wrangler features a 6-cylinder petrol engine with V-shape cylinder layout (V6) with the displacement volume of 3.8 liters and overhead location of camshafts. The engine develops 146 kW and the torque of 315 Nm. Alongside the engine the power unit of the car features a 6-grade mechanic transmission or (comes as an option) automatic transmission.

In comparison to a 4-cylinder in-line engine (L6) which was installed on the predecessor of the current generation, the power for the 3.8-liter engine V6 increased and the fuel consumption decreased.

The new Wrangler can boast an ergonomic and comfortable interior. In the previous generation of the car it was torturous to seat on the rear seat for either one or two passengers, now the situation has been changed completely. The width of the interior has been increased by 9.9 cm (in the zone of passengers’ shoulders), and b 4 cm (in thigh zone) and the gap before the passengers’ knees has been increased by 3 cm. The driver and the front passenger won’t feel uncomfortable either because the car is equipped with cozy tight-fitting seats with high backs.

Jeep Wrangler is equipped with a new stiff top “Jeep”s Freedom Top” consisting of 3 parts: left and right front panels and the rear section. The sections themselves are made of light material so that a driver could make a convertible from Jeep in a few seconds alone.
Traditionally one can order a car with a soft top of the new construction “Sunrider”. The top can be folded completely or partially leaving a small hatch above the driver’s and front passenger’s heads (the size of the hatch is 132 by 76 mm).

New Jeep Wrangler is available in 2- and 4-door variants. The most affordable 2-door version with 3.8-liter engine and “Sport” variant of filling costs 31 200 euro. The version with the same engine but with 4 doors in the filling “Sahara” will cost 6 900 euro more.

The turbo diesel Wrangler in a 4-door body costs from 33 700 euro.

All Wranglers are produced at the Chrysler factory “Toledo South” in Ohio, US.

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Total rating - 5

Pedestrian safety - 3/4

Children safety - 4/5

Front crash - 14 (88%)

Side crash - 18 (100%)

Additional - 2 (%)

Total - 34 (85%)

Pedestrian Safety - 19 (53%)

Children Safety - 39 (65%)

Front Impact

The force structure of the body has not been deformed by the impact. Owing to the separate air-bag, the knees of the driver are well protected against the elements of the interior. The company Peugeot has also proved its effectiveness for people of different constitution. Moreover, the holding systems for the front passenger worked properly – the knees of the dummy didn’t even touch the front panel.

Side Impact

For passenger protecting from side impacts Peugeot 308 2007 got the highest marks.

Children Safety

The holding systems used in the crash-tests:

• 18-month old child - Britax Romer Baby-Safe, opposite the direction of the motion
• 3-year old child - Britax Romer Duo Universal, forward the direction of the motion

In order to place a children seat on the front seat of the car the air-bag can be switched off, however, the information about the current state of the air-bag is provided not enough clearly to the driver. The presence of ISOFIX fastenings on the read side seats is not marked fairly.

Pedestrian Safety

The bumper of the tested car is relatively safe for pedestrians as is safe the cowling in the areas of the contact with the head of a child. At the same time, the safety of the head of an adult is very low.

Basic Safety systems installed on the car in Europe:

• Front air-bags
• Side air-bags for head and body
• Front safety belts with preload system and strain limiter
• The alarm of the unfastened front belts
• ISOFIX fastenings of the rear side seats

Crash Ratings: Ford Mondeo 2007 Crash-Test

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Total rating - 5

Pedestrian safety - 2/4

Children safety - 4/5

Front crash - 15 (94%)

Side crash - 18 (100%)

Additional - 2 (%)

Total - 35 (88%)

Pedestrian Safety - 18 (50%)

Children Safety - 39 (65%)

Front Crash

Deformation from a crash didn’t touch the force structure of the body. For higher safety features the steering wheel moved slightly forward. The knees of the driver are protected by a special air-bag placed below the steering post. The passenger is safely held by belts and his legs didn’t even touch the interior elements.

Children Safety

The holding systems used in the crash-tests:

• 18-month kid - Fair “Bobsy” G 0/1 ISOFIX opposite the direction of the motion
• 3-year-old child - Fair “Bobsy” G 0/1 ISOFIX forward the direction of the motion

As an option in Mondeo comes a switch of the front air-bag, but it is missing in the basic version, that’s why EuroNCAP didn’t include the system in its results. Without the switch a children seat cannot be installed on the front seat opposite the direction of the motion. The warning plate is not enough clear and is not fixed properly. The presence of ISOFIX fastenings on the rear seats is not marked in the proper way.

Pedestrian Safety

High marks have been given to the bumper of the car for the safety of legs and the cowling at spots of the probable contact with a child’s head. At the same time the zone of a adult’s head safety is very poor and the front rims of the cowling is too stiff.

Basic Safety systems installed on the car in Europe:

• Front air-bags
• Side air-bags for head and body
• Front safety belts with preload system and strain limiter
• The alarm of the unfastened front belts
• ISOFIX fastenings of the rear side seats

Crash Ratings: VW Tiguan 2007 Crash-Test

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