EURO NCAP |
 Citroën Picasso |
A number of new models, including two Ford MPVs, the Citroën C4 Picasso, Lexus IS200, Mercedes-Benz B-Class and the recently-launched Vauxhall Corsa have all achieved five-star European New Car Assessment crash safety ratings in recent months, but three manufacturers have been criticised by the organisation. Euro NCAP tests highlighted weaknesses in the safety systems of both the Nissan Note and the Toyota RAV4, while SEAT withdrew a safety feature in its Leon model following crash testing.
In the Nissan Note, one of the ISOFIX mounts for the child restraints broke in side-impact tests. Following investigation of the failure, Nissan advised Euro NCAP that the child restraint mount was one from an early batch that was not welded correctly. Nissan has since introduced a countermeasure and additional checks and recalled all affected models for modification. With the Toyota RAV4, the car’s airbags fired late during the frontal crash test. This was caused by the cable to a sensor becoming detached early in the impact. Toyota has now changed the routeing of the wiring harness and modified the airbag control unit so that the airbags deploy at the correct time even if the sensor connection fails.
| “It is worrying that Euro NCAP’s tests revealed potential problems in cars which were already in production and on sale to the public” |
A second frontal test, on a modified car, showed that the airbags deployed correctly, although the sensor cable was also damaged in that test. The modifications were introduced into production before Euro NCAP carried out its second test. However, Toyota said it did not intend to modify cars that had already been sold. Euro NCAP chairman, Claes Tingvall says: “Both of these cars achieved a four-star rating. However, as new cars, we might have expected them to perform even better. It is worrying that Euro NCAP’s tests revealed potential problems in cars which were already in production and on sale to the public. Nissan is to be congratulated for modifying cars already sold. We believe that all customers should expect to get their cars modified when such weaknesses have been discovered.”
However, Euro NCAP praised the RAV4 for becoming only the second small off-roader to achieve a three-star rating. The Toyota rating was in contrast to that of the all-new Land Rover Discovery3, which achieved only one star for its pedestrian protection. So far, no large off-roader has scored more than two stars.
Professor Tingvall says: “Honda’s CR-V was the first offroader to be awarded three stars for pedestrian protection. That was back in June 2002. I am pleased that Toyota have finally turned their attention to the problem and that the RAV4 has performed well. It shows how much additional protection can be given to pedestrians by relatively simple design changes. I urge other manufacturers to follow this lead.”
 Ford S-Max |
However, Euro NCAP has said that it was “disappointed” that SEAT has become the first manufacturer to remove safety features from a car following assessment. The Spanish manufacturer withdrew a seatbelt reminder system to the León, which was awarded four stars for adult occupant protection in November 2005 when the seatbelt reminder was standard equipment.
Professor Tingvall says: “Several important safety features work only if occupants are restrained by their seatbelts. Research has shown that more people wear their seatbelts when they are reminded to do so. “This is the first case we’re aware of where a manufacturer has removed safety equipment from a vehicle after it has been assessed by Euro NCAP. It is very disappointing. Seatbelt reminders are an effective way to encourage people to buckle up. By removing the reminder from the León, SEAT has taken a step backwards in terms of safety. We would like to see SEAT put safety ahead of economic considerations.”
| “Seatbelt reminders are an effective way to encourage people to buckle up” |
The Ford S-Max, Ford Galaxy and Citroen C4 Picasso, which will enter UK showrooms early next year, are among the safest MPVs on the road, with all achieving five stars for adult occupant safety and the S-Max becoming the highest-scoring MPV to date after also achieving four stars for child protection and two stars for pedestrian safety. Euro NCAP called the latter scoring disappointing, particularly when the Corsa, the results for which were announced simultaneously, scored three stars for pedestrian protection. That prompted Euro NCAP to say: “The Corsa’s three-star pedestrian protection rating shows that some manufacturers are increasingly turning their attention to other road users.”
But, Professor Tingvall says: “The S-Max now sets the standards for other MPVs.” The performance of the Citroën C4 Picasso underlines the French marque’s increasing focus on safety which, earlier this year, saw the company collect the What Car? Safety Award in recognition of the industry- leading advances made in setting new standards for occupant and pedestrian safety.
The Citroën C4 Picasso’s maximum five-star Euro NCAP rating puts it in the same league as the C4, C5, C6 and C8 models.
Euro NCAP results
(Only vehicles tested since 2002 are listed. For previous test results, visit: www.euroncap.com)
Safer storage
In-vehicle racking equipment company Sortimo International is working with Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) on producing an industry standard best practice guide concerning the safe crash storage of equipment in light commercial vehicles. The initiative comes after two crash tests at TRL demonstrated the load-retaining characteristics of a van fully equipped with Sortimo racking systems and another vehicle with a homemade DIY system.
 Crash test with Sortimo Globelyst. |
TRL has been instrumental in the development of standards including programmes such as Euro NCAP and works with manufacturers on design guidelines. However, while Euro NCAP crash test results help car drivers to identify the vehicles that offer the best protection to occupants and pedestrians in the event of a crash, there is little in the way of information for light commercial vehicle operators and drivers.
In the event of sharp braking, for example, inappropriately secured loads can be transformed into “missiles” and distract the driver, while loads that move can also severely impact on the driving characteristics of a van resulting in a crash being much worse than if securely fixed. The Sortimo International tests saw the two vans driven into a barrier at a speed of 50km/h (31mph). One vehicle had been fitted with 150 kg of Sortimo Globelyst equipment and to simulate a live situation, tool cases, boxes and drawers were loaded with sandbags weighing approximately 365 kg and with a total weight load of 514 kg.
Immediately after impact, it could be seen that the Globelyst equipment had held fast and there would have been no danger of injury to the driver or passenger. Although the vehicle fittings were distorted in the direction of travel, the load remained in place and the sandbags in the boxes had not budged. The second crash test saw the homemade DIY system installed into another van of the same type with a total weight of 446 kg for the wooden racking and sandbags load. The load did not remain in place with the racking completely smashed, which could have endangered the driver.
A Sortimo International spokesman says: “It is the first time Sortimo International has tested the safety of its in-vehicle racking systems and fittings during a crash test outside of Germany, as all of Sortimo’s equipment is TüV crash tested. It was also the first time Sortimo has demonstrated the importance of crash safety through two live crash tests: one with Sortimo Globelyst equipment and one crash test with DIY racking installed.”
 Mercedes-Benz in motion. Mercedes-Benz freeze frame after the crash |
Meanwhile, Sortimo rival, Modul System International has called for increased legislation to control the safety of light commercial vehicle conversion installations. General manager Kevin Tillotson says that legislation would ensure that all LCV conversions met minimum safety standards to ensure driver and passenger safety from loose or unrestrained loads in the cargo area.
He has suggested the compulsory fitment of full steel bulkheads, lashing points capable of withstanding minimum forces and crash-tested racking systems. Mr Tillotson says: “It is only by adhering to these standards that commercial fleet operators could claim to have done everything possible to comply with health and safety and duty-of-care legislation.”
Modul System International has prepared a consultation paper on the issue and is campaigning with various motor industry organisations and with government for the measures to be introduced to protect drivers and passengers of commercial vehicles
