Euro NCAP follows Aussie lead

Crash-safety testing body, Euro NCAP, has concluded its final round of testing for 2008. From February of next year, the testing authority will conduct its tests within the parameters of a different regime -- one in which no car will be awarded five stars for its crash safety unless fitted with a stability control facility.

The change to the testing regime follows the lead of Australian crash-safety testing body, ANCAP, which, since the beginning of this year, has refused to award any vehicle tested with five stars unless the vehicle was also equipped with a stability control program -- a system that relies on ABS technology combined with such gizmos as G-force sensors and other input devices (from the steering, for example), to straighten up a car during emergency manoeuvres.

So theoretically, cars that scored five stars in the final round of testing for 2008, would not necessarily do so next year, if they aren't equipped with stability control.

To retest all the cars that are rated as five-star cars -- or at least those cars without stability control -- would be onerous and costly, but the situation now leaves a question mark hanging over the testing procedures, since there's no continuity between the cessation of the earlier procedure and the commencement of the new one.

Euro NCAP's new testing procedures are not limited to the stability control-only restriction, they now extend also to whiplash testing.

For the record, cars that scored five stars in the final round of testing were: the Alfa Romeo Mito, Ford Fiesta, Honda Accord, Opel Insignia, Peugeot 308CC, Renault Megane, Volkswagen Golf VI and the Volvo XC60.

The latest Ford Ka and the Mercedes-Benz Viano both achieved four-star crashworthiness and the Ford Ranger -- the same vehicle as sold locally -- picked up just two stars.

A car we don't see in Australia, the Dacia Sandero (pictured), was the lowliest of passenger cars tested, rating just three stars.

To comment on this article click here