Today, Euro NCAP is delighted to release the results for its highest scoring car in adult occupant protection since Euro NCAP was established over 10 years ago. The Nissan Qashqai, a small family car, received almost maximum points in Euro NCAP's strict front, side impact and pole crash tests as well as a high performance score in the child occupant protection rating.
Euro NCAP's small family car class has seen colourful results over the last year or so ranging from a two star strikethrough to some high scoring five star cars, but until the Qashqai no car had received a full rounded 37 points in the adult occupant protection rating. Euro NCAP's front and side impact testing verifies the crash worthiness of the vehicle and looks for any injury that may occur to the driver or the passenger from structural deformation of the car and vehicle deceleration as a result of an accident. The pole test looks at potential injuries to the head.
Euro NCAP's Secretary General Adrian Hobbs said "Congratulations Nissan! This is a particularly impressive result for this manufacturer since the Qashqai is a new vehicle in this category. Nissan's last entry into the small family class was in 2001."
Euro NCAP also released new crash test results for the Kia Carens, a small MPV, which received four stars in adult occupant protection, due to its result in the side impact test. This is the first time Kia presents a vehicle in this class.
Today, Euro NCAP released results in the Small Family and Small MPV categories.
The ratings for these cars can be seen in more detail at www.euroncap.com. The complete test results will be available from 23rd May 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.
Nissan Qashqai Adult Occupant Protection 5 stars Child Occupant Protection 4 stars Pedestrian Protection 2 stars
Kia Carens Adult Occupant Protection 4 stars Child Occupant Protection 3 stars Pedestrian Protection 1 star
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.