The new Porsche Taycan has scored five stars in the latest round of Euro NCAP crash tests, coming second only to the Tesla Model X in its category ratings. The Taycan, tested in entry-level 4S guise and equipped with the Performance battery package, scored above 80% for both adult and child occupant safety, with Euro NCAP stating that “a similar level of protection would be provided to occupants of different sizes and to those sitting in different positions”. The Tesla Model X, being tested for the first time since its UK launch in 2016, follows in the footsteps of the newer Model 3, which also achieved a five-star rating this year. Euro NCAP praised the electric SUV’s autonomous emergency braking system, claiming that collisions were “avoided or mitigated in most cases”. Also awarded five stars in NCAP’s penultimate testing round of 2019 were the new Ford Kuga and similarly sized Renault Captur, Audi Q7, Subaru Forester, Ford Mondeo and the 2020 Skoda Octavia, tested in estate form. The Volkswagen Sharan and its Seat Alhambra sibling achieved four stars, with the Sharan penalised for a poor performance in the ‘side pole test’, in which the left-hand rear door detached during the impact, presenting what motoring researcher Thatcham called “a risk of occupant ejection”. NCAP stated that although the platform-sharing MPVs have been on sale in their current form since 2010, “the VW Group has done a fine job in keeping them up-to-date in terms of safety, with the addition of autonomous emergency braking and rear seatbelt load-limiters”. Rounding off the latest round of results is the facelifted Jeep Renegade, which scored three stars, making it the only car to achieve less than four stars in 2019. The small SUV’s low overall score is attributed largely to a 55% rating for its ability to protect vulnerable road users. Unlike the other models tested, autonomous emergency braking is not fitted as standard to the Renegade. Euro NCAP secretary general Michiel van Ratingen said: “Well done to Tesla and the other five-star performers for not only bringing best-in-class performance in testing but also for making safety systems accessible and standard across the European market. “It is also good to see manufacturers – Ford and Volkswagen in this case –standardising AEB and keeping safety up-to-date even for older cars, to the benefit of their customers.” The next round of crash test results will be released on 18 December
Origin: Porsche and Tesla shine in NCAP crash tests
NCAP
Peugeot 208 falls short of maximum Euro NCAP score
The new Peugeot 208 has missed out on a maximum score in the latest Euro NCAP safety ratings, with testers awarding it four stars. The French hatch missed out on top marks due to what Euro NCAP testers said was “poor” whiplash protection for rear passengers. The Jeep Cherokee was also awarded four stars in the latest tests, and they are the only two cars tested so far in 2019 that have failed to achieve five stars. Matthew Avery, director of research at Thatcham Research, which conducts Euro NCAP tests, called the 208’s score “respectable”, but added it was “not a good choice if you’re carrying adults in the back, with its ‘poor’ whiplash protection for rear passengers. Protecting both front and rear occupants is especially important as families continue to downsize from larger vehicles.” The Cherokee lost marks for both adult occupant protection and child occupant protection, and was criticised for offering limited whiplash protection. Avery called the result an improvement on the Jeep Wrangler, which scored one star when tested last year, but added: “There’s still a long way to go before Jeep can get back to producing five-star cars like the 2017 Compass.” Two BMW models excelled when they were tested, with the 1 Series and 3 Series both scoring the maximum five stars. The 3 Series achieved a 97% score for adult occupant protection, one of the highest scores in
Origin: Peugeot 208 falls short of maximum Euro NCAP score
New Renault Clio, Mazda 3 lead Euro NCAP crash test stars
The new Renault Clio, Mazda 3 and electric Audi e-tron are among seven cars to secure five-star Euro NCAP crash test scores in the latest round of testing. The Mazda 3 became just the fourth car ever tested to score 98% for adult occupant protection (AOP), alongside the Volvo V40 and XC60, and the Alfa Romeo Giulia. The latest Clio achieved an AOP score of 96%, and also scored 89% for child occupant safety. The new Volkswagen T-Cross scored 97% for AOP. The other cars to receive five-star scores in the last month are the Lexus UX, Toyota Corolla and Toyota RAV4. Thatcham Research, the only UK safety research centre that conducts Euro NCAP tests, noted the high level of driver assistance systems fitted as standard to many of the cars tested. Matthew Avery, Thatcham’s director of research, said: “Achieving a five-star rating has never been so demanding, so it is pleasing to see carmakers continuing to rise to the challenge. “Consumers have never had it so good and can expect nothing less than top level safety from these
Origin: New Renault Clio, Mazda 3 lead Euro NCAP crash test stars
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