A selection of cars gain the five stars, with one each for 3 and 4 in the latest Euro NCAP tests.

• Retest of Ford Mustang shows safety improvement, secures Three Star Euro NCAP rating 
  
• “This underlines the power of the Euro NCAP consumer testing programme,” says Thatcham Research 
  
• SEAT Ibiza the standout of other vehicles tested, raises the bar in Supermini safety 
  
• A further four vehicles tested – Five Star ratings for the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, VW Arteon and Hyundai i30, Four Stars for the Honda Civic

Following an unfavourable safety rating earlier this year, Ford has resubmitted its flagship Mustang sports car for testing, on this occasion earning a Three Star Euro NCAP rating. This follows the addition of standard-fit Pedestrian Detection, Forward Collision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) and a Lane Keeping Aid, while rapidly addressing a ‘bottoming-out[1]’ issue with the driver’s airbag.

“In just a few months, Ford has responded to improve on the initial low safety rating given to the Mustang,” comments Matthew Avery, director of research at Thatcham Research. “Our advice to buyers is to always opt for a Euro NCAP Five Star car, so a Three Star Euro NCAP rating is never a cause for celebration. 

However, Ford’s rapid addition of a suite of standard-fit safety tech and its prompt updates to improve the performance of the airbags and restraints is to be applauded and underlines the power of the Euro NCAP consumer testing programme as a force for positive action. We will continue to apply pressure on carmakers to ensure UK drivers have the safest possible cars.”

Take a SEAT

July’s standout vehicle was the SEAT Ibiza, which at £13,000 is a relatively affordable and well-reviewed Supermini. Avery comments, “SEAT has set a new benchmark in safety for the Supermini price point category. The Ibiza not only comes with standard-fit AEB but also Pedestrian AEB – which is proven to reduce vulnerable road user deaths.

“The new VW Polo will be built on the same platform as the Ibiza which bodes well and with major new Supermini launches expected later in 2017, the safety game is now on for carmakers in this category.”

Four other vehicles were tested by Euro NCAP this month, with all but one achieving a Five Star rating. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio, VW Arteon and Hyundai i30 all received the maximum Five Stars. The Honda Civic was awarded a Four Star Euro NCAP rating, despite having standard-fit AEB. This was in part due to the head of the rear passenger dummy representing a 10 year old recording a hard impact through the curtain airbag

The all-new Nissan Micra now comes with the full five star Euro NCAP, gained with ease.

• All-new Micra gets highest star-rating in the UK under latest dual-test system
• Standard-fit Intelligent Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Recognition and Intelligent Lane Intervention helped secure the five star rating
• All-new Micra on sale now across Europe and available for test drives 

The all-new Nissan Micra has been awarded a five-star safety rating in the UK from Euro NCAP, thanks to the standard fitment of intelligent driving technologies in the Safety Assist category of testing. 

The Micra was tested under Euro NCAP’s newest protocols. The UK range of Micra achieves the maximum possible five stars thanks to an extensive set of safety features standard across all grades. 

Every Micra is fitted with Intelligent Emergency Braking (IEB), an intelligent driving technology which can detect a slowing or stopping vehicle ahead and automatically apply the brakes. Depending on the relative speeds, this can avoid an impact or reduce the severity. 

Also standard across the range is Pedestrian Recognition technology, which is linked to IEB, and Intelligent Lane Intervention (ILI), a first for the B-hatchback segment. 

When ILI is activated – for example, by crossing a line in the centre of the road – the steering wheel gently vibrates. The car’s brakes are automatically applied, individually depending on the direction of travel required, to guide the driver smoothly back into the correct lane. 

When taken into account by Euro NCAP, this extensive set of features earned the new Micra a high Safety Assist score, contributing to an overall rating of five stars. 

Every new Micra comes with six airbags as standard, plus seat belt warnings and seat belt height adjustment in the front. The Isofix car child seat fitting system can be used with the new Micra, including in the front passenger seat, for the best possible child protection. 

Additional safety features on every Micra include Electronic Stability Program, anti-lock brakes and Hill Start Assist. A speed limiter, automatic headlight sensor, automatic hazard lights and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System are also fitted. 

Latest Euro NCAP awards have been announced from Audi, Hyundai, Suzuki and Ssangyong.

Today Euro NCAP publishes its last round of safety ratings for 2016. The Audi Q2, Hyundai Ioniq, Ford Edge, Suzuki Ignis and the SsangYong Tivoli  all underwent Euro NCAP’s rigorous safety testing and, of the five cars, two were tested under the dual rating system. 

The dual rating also applies to the Tivoli’s partner model, the SsangYong XLV.

The Ford Edge, Audi Q2, and Hyundai Ioniq all received the maximum 5 stars for safety with standard equipment. 

The SsangYong Tivoli (and partner model XLV) received a base rating of 3 stars with standard equipment only, and 4 stars when tested with the optional safety pack. 

The Suzuki Ignis got a 3-star rating when tested with standard safety equipment, but managed a maximum score of 5 stars when tested with a safety pack.

Euro NCAP Secretary General Michiel van Ratingen says: “It is good to see the dual rating scheme being used as it encourages vehicle manufacturers to develop advanced technologies for their vehicles, even if pricing of the product does not allow it to be standard across the range.”

Honda celebrates as the All-New HR-V and Jazz both receive the maximum five star Euro NCAP rating.

• New Honda HR-V and Jazz receive maximum 5-star safety rating from Euro NCAP
• New Jazz one of only two vehicles in the supermini class to receive 5-star rating under the 2015 testing regulations
• Both new models equipped with Honda’s City-Brake Active System as standard
• All current Honda models on sale in Europe have received maximum 5-star rating

The all-new HR-V and Jazz are the latest models in Honda’s line-up to receive the maximum safety rating by independent safety organisation Euro NCAP. Under the new testing regulations for 2015, both models achieved a full 5-star rating reflecting Honda’s commitment to overall vehicle safety.

The 5-star result for Jazz means it is only the second supermini to achieve a 5-star rating so far this year. Both Jazz and HR-V feature Honda’s City-Brake Active system (CTBA) fitted as standard across the range. By using laser technology, the CTBA system scans the road ahead and automatically applies the brakes if a low speed collision is likely.

The mid and high grades on both models feature Honda’s ‘Advanced Driver Assist System’ (ADAS), a suite of active-safety technologies including: Forward Collision Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition System, Intelligent Speed Limiter, Lane Departure Warning and High-beam Support System.

The all-new Jazz and new HR-V join the existing 5-star rated in Honda’s line-up including the Swindon produced Civic and CR-V.

The Euro NCAP rating scheme focuses on the vehicle’s overall safety performance which gives consumers an easy to understand single score. The rating considers various aspects of vehicle safety, such as occupant protection, child protection, pedestrian protection and the availability and effectiveness of driver aids.

Both the Ford S-Max and Galaxy are awarded the full Five Stars from Euro NCAP with significant improvements.

• All-new Ford S-MAX sports activity vehicle and Galaxy people mover are awarded the highest safety rating by Euro NCAP independent crash test authority
• All-new models deliver second-row seat side-airbags for the first time, and seat-belt pre-tensioners for first and second row seats
• Body structure utilises high-strength steel and intelligent designs to improve impact protection
• Both models offer segment-first Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection that reduces the severity of some frontal collisions involving vehicles and pedestrians

The all-new Ford S-MAX sports activity vehicle and Galaxy people mover have been awarded the maximum 5-star safety rating by independent crash test authority Euro NCAP.

The technologically advanced S-MAX and Galaxy are offered for the first time with second-row seat side-airbags for additional passenger side-impact protection, and also offer first and second-row seatbelt pre-tensioners with load limiters to further enhance rear passenger safety.

Both vehicles use ultra-high strength hydro-formed steel in the A-pillars, B-pillars and roof rails for enhanced side impact performance.

In addition, S-MAX and Galaxy offer Ford’s sophisticated Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection technology that can reduce the severity of some frontal collisions involving vehicles and pedestrians, or even help drivers avoid some impacts altogether.

“As Euro NCAP’s 5-star standards climb higher, Ford vehicles continue to reach the organisation’s stringent expectations for crash protection,” said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales & Service, Ford of Europe. 

“Both our all-new S-MAX and Galaxy deliver sophisticated safety features including our new Pre-Collision Assist technology to provide exceptional protection for drivers, passengers and pedestrians alike.”

New second-row seat side-airbags for the S‑MAX and Galaxy join driver and front-passenger, driver-knee, and first-, second- and third-row curtain airbags. 

Seatbelt minders feature for all three rows of seats in the Galaxy and for the S-MAX when specified with seven seats – helping parents ensure children remain safely buckled in. The use of hydro-formed steel contributes to a three per cent increase in body strength.

S-MAX and Galaxy offer technologies that can help drivers avoid incidents, including:

• Front Split View Camera, which displays to the driver a wide-angle view from the front of the car, using a video camera in the grille. At a blind junction or exiting a driveway, the camera enables drivers to easily spot approaching vehicles, pedestrians or cyclists
• Blind Spot Information System that helps drivers detect vehicles in their blind spot when changing lanes
• Lane Keeping Aid, which knows if a driver changes lanes without indicating and will alert them by vibrating the steering wheel and showing a visual warning in the dash
• Lane Keeping Alert, which reacts to a vehicle drifting out of lane and will apply torque to the vehicle’s steering wheel to safely pull it back into the correct lane
• SYNC 2 with Emergency Assistance, a voice-activated technology that enables drivers to keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel, and can directly connect vehicle occupants to local emergency services operators after an accident

Vehicle stability is enhanced with Curve Control and Roll Stability Control systems that adjust engine torque and braking to help drivers maintain control, and the all-new S-MAX and Galaxy also support drivers in town and on the highway with advanced technologies including:

• Intelligent Speed Limiter, which combines the functionality of available Traffic Sign Recognition and Adaptive Cruise Control features, and when activated scans traffic signs and adjusts the throttle to help drivers stay within legal speed limits to avoid fines
• Glare-Free Highbeam for the adaptive LED headlamps, which detects vehicles ahead and fades out light that could dazzle oncoming drivers, while retaining maximum illumination for other areas

The Ford S-MAX and Galaxy are now on sale in the UK, with S-MAX pricing starting from £24,545 and Galaxy from £26,445.

Full Five Star award in latest Euro NCAP tests for the Volkswagen Touran.

• Maximum five-star rating for all-new Touran MPV
• High scores recorded in all four EuroNCAP test categories
• Based on Volkswagen’s MQB platform with a range of new safety systems and features
• New Touran available to order now from £22,240 – first deliveries in December

The all-new Volkswagen Touran has been awarded a five-star rating by independent safety organisation Euro NCAP – with an overall score that marks it out as one of the safest and most protective family cars in the industry.

Set to arrive in the UK in December, the new Touran excelled in the latest round of Euro NCAP tests, thanks to its a first-class safety package that includes an optimised body structure, highly effective belt, seat and airbag combination and innovative driver assistance systems. 

The Touran performed strongly in all four key areas: occupant protection for adults and children, pedestrian protection and safety assistance, and highlighted Volkswagen’s commitment to occupant and pedestrian safety.

Euro NCAP has been regarded as one of the most important benchmarks for vehicle safety in Europe since 1997. The new Touran was put through the organisation’s newest and most rigorous test programme, and recorded an 88 per cent rating for adult safety. The tests carried

out included:

• Frontal impact into a deformable barrier at 40mph with 40 per cent overlap
• Frontal impact at 30mph into a rigid barrier with 100 per cent overlap
• Impact from the side at 30mph into the vehicle side structure
• Side impact against a pole at 20mph

The new family MPV also recorded excellent results in the important child protection sub-section. Thanks to ISOFIX and top tether child seat anchors being fitted as standard, the new Touran achieved over 89 per cent of the available points. 

In the pedestrian protection category, the Touran was given a total score of 71 per cent with recognition of the Touran’s numerous engineering features designed to reduce the risk of injury to passers-by.

The new Touran is available to order now with prices starting from £22,240. Based on Volkswagen’s MQB platform, the new model offers more space, greater practicality and lower running costs than the previous model. 

Safety equipment includes airbags for driver and front-seat passenger (with front-seat passenger airbag deactivation and including knee airbag on the driver's side) and a head airbag system for front and rear-seat passengers, including side airbags. 

The new Touran also has systems such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC), including ABS with Brake Assist, Automatic Post-Collision Braking, a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System and Driver Alert on board as standard.

Skoda's small car, the Fabia, takes up a new role in Law Enforcement.

The ŠKODA Fabia showcased its strengths as an emergency response vehicle at the National Association of Police Fleet Managers Conference (NAPFM) this week.  

The 2015 What Car? Car of the Year, ŠKODA Fabia, has found a new vocation in law enforcement. ŠKODA showcased the Fabia as a fully liveried police car at the event in Telford. Now in its 42nd year, NAPFM is one of the largest emergency service fleet events in Europe and caters for police, fire and rescue and ambulance vehicles.

This was the first glimpse of Fabia in police livery since ŠKODA was reappointed as an approved Crown Commercial Services supplier. The new framework now includes ‘Lot 7’ emergency service vehicles.

Sitting in the beat car category, the ŠKODA Fabia certainly lives up to its recent billing as 'Best Small Car' at the 2015 Fleet News Awards. With a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, six airbags and an autonomous braking system as standard from SE, the Fabia provides proper protection for those who serve and protect us.

The model displayed, the Fabia Hatch 1.4 TDI 90PS SE, would perfectly suit the rigours of life on the street, with its 83.1mpg combined fuel consumption figure meaning it can theoretically remain on patrol for over 800 miles on a single tank.

Some 10 Fabia 1.4 TDI 90PS SE models were taken away from NAPFM this week by emergency services customers for extended three-month road tests. Speaking at the NAPFM Conference, ŠKODA Emergency Services Technical Sales Manager, Steven Cowell, said: “The ŠKODA Fabia is a reliable, robust and affordable vehicle loaded with technology, therefore ideal for use in the emergency services. Simply put, it's the perfect combination of form and function. The size and versatility of the Fabia also lends itself well to inner city duty."

USA - NHTSA awards Kia the full Five Stars for the US built Sorento CUV.

Kia’s All-New Sorento CUV Earns NHTSA’s Highest Rating¹

• Sorento’s extensive use of Advanced High Strength Steel makes Kia’s largest CUV stiffer and more durable than ever
• The 2016 Sorento combines a strong base with additional design improvements to reduce NVH and provide a comfortable and quiet interior environment

Kia Motors America’s (KMA) all-new 2016 Sorento CUV has received the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) 5-star overall safety rating.  Built in the U.S. at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG)*, Sorento is KMA’s best-selling CUV, having sold more than 100,000 units each of the past five years, and offers a long list of standard safety features and an expertly engineered body structure.

“NHTSA’s recent 5-star rating of the 2016 Sorento is a testament to Kia’s commitment to safety.  The Sorento is all-new for 2016 and is Kia’s most capable CUV ever, yet still offers customers the tremendous value Kia is known for,” said Orth Hedrick, vice president, product planning.  “Meant for customers with active lifestyles, Sorento is the perfect getaway vehicle for adventurers and families on the go, and they can feel confident knowing their vehicle scored a 5-star NHTSA rating – the highest rating achievable from NHTSA.”

The core of the all-new 2016 Sorento is its significantly enhanced platform.  The structure increases torsional rigidity by 14 percent over the 2015 Sorento.  The unit-body consists of 53-percent Advanced High Strength Steel, a 115 percent increase over the previous model.  Liberal application of industrial strength adhesives, the use of dual-seal lip joints as well as large diameter and laser welding techniques combine to make the 2016 model the most robust and durable Sorento ever.

About the All-New 2016 Kia Sorento

The completely redesigned 2016 Sorento CUV raises the bar in a traditionally utilitarian segment with its refinement and first-class amenities.  Available with an advanced All Wheel Drive (AWD) system and up to 5,000 pounds of towing capacity, the new Sorento rides on a 3.1-inch lengthened wheelbase, which allows more room for passengers and cargo.  

Standard premium features and luxurious appointments span the line of five trim levels, and the Sorento is now offered with three engine choices, including a 2.4-liter inline-four cylinder, a new 240-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo-charged inline-four and a powerful 3.3-liter V6 producing 290 horsepower.  The all-new Sorento offers a wide array of available driver-aid technology including Surround View Monitor², Smart Cruise Control², Blind Spot Detection² and Lane Departure Warning².

* The Sorento and Optima GDI (EX, SX & Limited and certain LX Trims only) are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts

1 Government star ratings are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) New Car Assessment Program (www.safercar.gov).

2 These features are not substitutes for safe driving and may not detect all objects around vehicle. Always drive safely and use caution.

** 2015 K900 V8 available in select trims and in select markets with limited availability.

*** 2015 Soul EV in select markets with limited availability.