The latest sets of crash test results released by the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) have revealed the first four-star rating for pedestrian protection.
The Citroën C6 is the model that has been awarded this maximum star rating for pedestrian safety. At the same time, the vehicle’s manufacturer has ensured that heightened pedestrian safety does not have to come at the expense of occupant safety. The executive sized car is also awarded five stars for adult occupant protection and four stars for child protection.
The four star pedestrian protection rating represents a great success for the Euro NCAP programme which has been pushing for improved pedestrian protection for many years in order to achieve a reduction in avoidable deaths and injuries to vulnerable road users.
The C6 incorporates a new system that has never been tested by Euro NCAP before. The vehicle detects when a pedestrian has been struck and activates a ‘pop-up’ bonnet to give greater clearance between the bonnet and the rigid part of the engine. Its success leads to the expectation that similar systems will soon be introduced in other vehicles.
In the latest round of Euro NCAP results it is evident that car manufacturers are placing greater emphasis on pedestrian protection in vehicle design. The Seat Leoìn is awarded three stars for pedestrian safety.
Claes Tingvall, Euro NCAP chairman welcomed the development saying, “It is very gratifying that Citroën have achieved four stars for pedestrian protection. A few years ago some manufacturers claimed that it was impossible. Now it is clear that manufacturers who are committed to all round safety can protect those outside the car without compromising the safety of those inside.”
All but one of the cars tested in the latest round of Euro NCAP assessment were fitted with a seat belt reminder system. Systems that encourage seat-belt use are seen as essential for occupant protection. Claes Tingvall commented, “All of the safety features in a car are wasted if people don’t wear their seat-belts and we know that a reminder system is a very effective way of encouraging use.”
Visit the Euro NCAP website for more details >