Drivers Technology.

 

Euro NCAP award Friday, March 23rd 2007

Size No Obstacle To Protecting Occupants

Euro NCAP today releases test results for two new small off-roaders, the
Land Rover Freelander 2 and the Suzuki Grand Vitara. Euro NCAP is pleased to
announce that the Land Rover Freelander 2 achieved the maximum award of five
stars for adult occupant protection. The Freelander 2 is the first small
off-roader to achieve such a result, proving size is no obstacle to safety.

Euro NCAP tested its first small off-roader in 2002 (a Honda CR-V) and since
then has tested nine cars in this category. Until today, the maximum score
achieved in adult occupant protection by manufacturers in this category was
four stars. Euro NCAP first tested the Land Rover Freelander in 2003, when
it achieved a result of three stars in the adult rating.

Euro NCAP Secretary General, Adrian Hobbs said "I am delighted that Land
Rover has made such an improvement to the level of protection offered to its
occupants. It is perhaps surprising that, until now, no small off-roader has
managed to achieve a five star rating. I am disappointed though that the
company has not invested the same effort into improving the level of
protection it offers to pedestrians. In this recent test, the Freelander 2
only achieved one star in pedestrian protection, just as it did in 2003. It
concerns me that manufacturers are still not considering the dangers posed
by their vehicles in relation to the outside environment'.

The Suzuki Grand Vitara, whose test results are also released today,
provided better pedestrian protection than the Freelander 2, becoming only
the third small off-roader to be awarded three stars, the highest pedestrian
rating so far awarded in this category. In adult occupant protection, the
Grand Vitara achieved a reasonable four star score.

Results released today are in the Small Off-Roader category.

The ratings for these cars can be seen in more detail at www.euroncap.com.
The complete test results will be available from 23rd March 2007.

Euro NCAP's commitment to consumers ensures that test results are released
as soon as possible. Keep checking our website for details of forthcoming
results.

For further information please contact: Cordelia Wilson, Communications
Manager +32 2 4007746 or cordelia_wilson@euroncap.com.


Summary of Results

Small Off-Roader

Land Rover Freelander 2
Occupant Protection: 5 stars
Child Protection: 4 stars
Pedestrian Protection: 1 star

Suzuki Grand Vitara
Occupant Protection: 4 stars
Child Protection: 3 stars
Pedestrian Protection: 3 stars

Editors' notes

1. With the introduction some time ago of the Child Occupant Protection
rating it is important to refer to the Adult Occupant Protection rating
correctly. In the past, this has been referred to as the "Overall" or
"Occupant" rating. Neither of these is now satisfactory.

2. The front impact test is conducted at 64km/h (40mph) into an offset
deformable barrier, the side impact test 50km/h (30mph), the pole test at
29km/h (18mph) and the pedestrian tests at 40km/h (25mph).

3. Comparison between Size Categories: It is essential that no attempt is
made to compare the ratings between cars in different segments or mass
groups. The frontal crash test aims to measure the performance of the car
impacting another car of similar mass. There is no capability to determine
what would happen if cars of widely different masses impact each other. It
is not primarily the mass difference that has the effect, but the effect
that mass has on the structural stiffness combined with the relative height
of the structures from the ground.