Highlights
The Renault Laguna remains the only car to achieve a five star result in Europe's leading independent crash tests confirmed Euro NCAP today.

Crashworthiness results for eight family cars, two small family cars, Honda's new Civic Stream and the Rover 25 were published at a press conference in Barcelona co-hosted by Euro NCAP and the Catalonian motoring organisation the RACC.

Again, Honda shows the way in designing with pedestrian protection in mind with the Civic Stream achieving a three star rating.

Max Mosley, Euro NCAP Chairman and President of the FIA said,

"In 1997 when Euro NCAP first tested family cars, only one of the 13 models achieved four star status. Today, in contrast, of the 19 family cars tested one has achieved five stars and 12 have achieved four stars. This is clear evidence that Euro NCAP's goal of creating a market for safety is being achieved.

"Despite the significant overall safety improvements, some cars have performed poorly in our latest tests. The Hyundai Elantra and the Alfa Romeo 147 both did particularly badly in the frontal occupant test, with the 147 only achieving a 20% score, one of the worst recorded in Euro NCAP.

"Apart from the achievements of Honda, pedestrian protection performance continues to be poor; the BMW 3 series only achieved a single star rating in the pedestrian test which is very disappointing for a recent vehicle design.

Large Family Cars
Renault Laguna II, 5 stars tested Mar 2001
Audi A4, 4 stars, tested Feb 2001
BMW 3 Series, 4 stars, tested Nov 2001
Citroen C5, 4 stars, tested Nov 2001
Ford Mondeo, 4 stars, tested Nov 2001
Honda Accord, 4 stars, tested 2000
Mercedes C Class, 4 stars, tested Jun 2001
Rover 75, 4 stars, tested, Jun 2001
Saab 9-3, 4 stars, tested 2000
Skoda Octavia, 4 stars, tested Nov 2001
Volkswagen Passat, 4 stars, tested Jun 2001
Volvo S40, 4 stars, tested 1997
Volvo S60, 4 stars, tested Nov 2001
Hyundai Elantra,3 stars, tested Nov 2001
Mitsubishi Carisma, 3 stars,tested Jun 2001
Nissan Primera, 3 stars, tested 1997
Vauxhall Vectra, 3 stars, tested Nov 2001
Peugeot 406, 3 stars tested Nov 2001
Toyota Avensis, 3 stars, tested 1997

Small MPVs
Honda Stream, 4 stars

Small Family Cars
Peugeot 307, 4 stars
Alfa 147, 3 stars

Superminis
Rover 25, 3 stars


Thursday, June 24th, 2004

Lean, Green and Safe: Toyota Prius achieves Euro NCAP top rating for occupant and child safety

Toyota Prius is the first hybrid car to be tested by Euro NCAP, is one of eight cars to achieve the top five star occupant rating and gets the highest rating for child protection, proving that cars can be lean, green and safe.

Euro NCAP announces today (24) the results of eight cars that have achieved the top five star accolade for occupant protection in Europe's leading independent crash tests.

Best in class for occupant protection is awarded to Toyota's Corolla Verso, and BMW's Z4.

Honda's Jazz becomes the first supermini to be awarded the three star Euro NCAP rating for pedestrian protection, proving that even the smallest cars can be pedestrian friendly.

And another first, Renault's Mégane CC is the first car ever to achieve the maximum score possible in the stringent frontal impact test.

The Euro NCAP rating requires occupants to fasten their belts. Again for the first time, an intelligent seat belt reminder for the rear seats has been introduced on a car, Volvo's S40. This is a significant development as increased seat belt wearing rates are essential if we are to maximise the enormous safety gains achieved by Euro NCAP over recent years and save the 7,000 fatalities attributed to non-belt use in Europe.

Other crashworthiness results for family cars, superminis, small family cars, small MPVs and roadsters are launched at a press conference in Prague co-hosted by Euro NCAP, the Autoklub of the Czech Republic (ACCR), the General Auto Moto Club Czech Republic (ÚAMK) and the FIA Foundation.

Claes Tingvall, Euro NCAP Chairman said,

"These latest test results are the second to give cars a specific rating of between one and five stars for the protection given to children. However, it is important to note that the rating applies to the car in combination with the restraints used in our tests. It does not act as a general rating for the car or the model of child restraint.

"In this phase, all but two of the cars had some form of intelligent seat belt reminder and, for the first time, a seat belt reminder for rear seats was provided by Volvo, in their S40. This is a most welcome development as increased seat belt wearing rates across the 25 member states of the EU has the potential to save more than 7,000 lives.

"I am particularly pleased to see that eight cars achieved the coveted 5 star Euro NCAP rating for occupant protection and note that manufacturers are setting targets for new designs of car at four and five stars.

"However, whilst Honda continues to lead in the development of pedestrian friendly car fronts, I am disappointed to see that other manufacturers lag so far behind. Manufacturers have risen to the challenge for occupant and child protection; it is now time for them to redouble their efforts and move forward in this safety area."


Summary of results:

•FAMILY CARS
Peugeot 407:
Occupant Protection : 5 stars
Child Protection : 4 stars
Pedestrian Protection : 2 stars

Saab 9-3 Convertible
Occupant Protection : 5 stars
Child Protection : 3 stars
Pedestrian Protection : 1 star

Toyota Prius
Occupant Protection : 5 stars
Child Protection : 4 stars
Pedestrian Protection : 2 stars

Volvo S40
Occupant Protection : 5 stars
Child Protection : 4 stars
Pedestrian Protection : 2 stars

• SMALL FAMILY CARS
Opel/Vauxhall Astra
Occupant Protection : 5 stars
Child Protection : 4 stars
Pedestrian Protection : 1 star

Renault Mégane CC
Occupant Protection : 5 stars
Child Protection : 3 stars
Pedestrian Protection : 2 stars

VW Golf
Occupant Protection : 5 stars
Child Protection : 4 stars
Pedestrian Protection : 3 stars

• SUPERMINI
Honda Jazz
Occupant Protection : 4 stars
Child Protection : 3 stars
Pedestrian Protection : 3 stars

• SMALL MPVS
Toyota Corolla Verso
Occupant Protection : 5 stars
Child Protection : 4 stars
Pedestrian Protection : 2 stars

Fiat Doblo
Occupant Protection : 3 stars
Child Protection : 3 stars
Pedestrian Protection : 1 star

• ROADSTERS
BMW Z4
Occupant Protection : 4 stars
Child Protection : Not applicable
Pedestrian Protection : 2 stars

Opel/Vauxhall Tigra
Occupant Protection : 4 stars
Child Protection : Not applicable
Pedestrian Protection : 2 stars