Landwind CV9 MPV receives Two Stars in Euro NCAP's First Chinese Vehicle Rating

Euro NCAP has released its latest crash test results, including the data sheet for the first Chinese vehicle it has ever tested, the Landwind CV9. Although the Chinese maker claims it has revamped the car to meet "the strictest European safety standards", the mid-sized MPV only managed a two star rating. However, Euro NCAP noted that the CV9 came close to meeting the three star threshold for adult protection, so there's still hope for the Chinese maker.

Dr. Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP's Secretary General, commented:

"It is clear that vehicles from China, India and other emerging countries will in the next few years become commonplace on European roads. Euro NCAP will ensure that consumers know what levels of safety are offered by these vehicles. By highlighting differences in safety performance, we aim to drive the safety of all cars towards and beyond the high levels we see from more well established manufacturers. We are confident that Landwind and others will rise to this challenge".

This is not Lanwind's first foray into the European market. In 2005 they tried to attract buyers with the X6 SUV, based on Isuzu Rodeo/Opel Frontera underpinnings, but failed miserably after ADAC conducted a crash test and rated it with zero stars.

The MPV fared better, but it's still considered to be poorly equipped. Euro NCAP pointed out that side airbags, increased head protection and electronic stability control would have helped it achieve a better score. The test vehicles were early examples of Euro-spec models, as Lanwind plans to officially launch the CV9 in early 2011.

You can read the official Euro NCAP assessment below.

By Csaba Daradics

Adult occupant

Inspection of the vehicle after the frontal impact, and examination of its performance during the test itself, revealed that structures surrounding the passenger compartment were at the limit of their load-bearing capacity. As a result, the passenger compartment was deemed to be unstable as an impact at a higher speed was expected to lead to significantly greater collapse. Protection of the driver's chest was rated as marginal. Dummy readings indicated good protection of the front seat occupants' knees and femurs. However, structures in the dashboard presented a risk of injury to occupants of different sizes and to those sat in different positions, and protection was rated as marginal. The steering rack was pushed rearwards during the frontal test, heavily distorting the driver's footwell and tearing the metal. This represented a risk of injury to the driver's feet and ankles and the car was penalised. The CV9 has no side protection airbags and, in the side barrier test, protection of the chest area was rated as weak and that of the abdomen as marginal. In that test, three doors were seen to have opened during the impact. Landwind have attributed this to weak springs in the door latches and intend to fit stiffer springs to try to overcome the problem in future vehicles. As the car has no head protection device, no side pole test was performed. The seats supplied for whiplash tests were not consistent with the ones in the test vehicles. As the seats in the test cars were damaged from the full scale tests, no valid assessment could be made of the whiplash protection offered by the CV9.

Child occupant

In the frontal impact, forward movement of the head of the 3 year dummy, sat in a forward facing restraint, exceeded recommended limits. However, in the side barrier test, both the 3 year and the 18 month dummies were properly contained within the protective shells of their restraints. The passenger airbag cannot be disabled to allow a rearward facing restraint to be used in that seating position and the label warning of the dangers of doing so was unclear and not permanently attached. Markings on the restraints of both dummies were not permanently attached and points were lost.

Pedestrian

The protection offered by the bumper to pedestrians' legs was good in places and poor in others. The front edge of the bonnet offered poor protection and scored no points in Euro NCAP's tests. Tests in some areas at the centre of the bonnet indicated good protection for a child's head but was poor elsewhere. The protection offered to the head of a struck adult was also predominantly poor.

Safety assist

A seatbelt reminder system is standard equipment for the driver and front passenger seats. Electronic stability control is not currently available on the CV9.

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Brilliance BS4: Not so Brilliant in ADAC Crash Tests, receives Zero Stars

ADAC, Germany's and Europe's largest automobile club - something like the AAA in the USA- has released the latest crash test results for the Brilliance BS4 sedan and the outcome for BMW's Chinese partner is far from good. In fact, in the new crash test procedure that was performed under Euro NCAP's stricter rating scheme that takes into consideration safety systems such as electronic stability control (ESC) and seat belt reminders, the BS4 received a zero star rating. ADAC notes however that in the previous rating system, the BS4 would have been awarded with three stars.

Still, ADAC's final report on the BS4 is that the compact sedan is "far away from the current safety standards" and that it poses several hazards to the driver's well being in the event of a crash noting for example that the steering wheel airbag is positioned incorrectly and that the clutch and brake pedals compromised protection for the driver's feet.

HSO Motors Europe, the official importer of the Brilliance brand in Europe questions ADAC's results saying that the German automobile club's counterparts in other European countries such as ÖAMTC in Austria and the Swiss and Dutch motor clubs, which co-funded the test, "unanimously evaluated the crash test by awarding three stars." The company's European importer also states that even though ADAC's test was based on the Euro NCAP rules, "it was not requested by the official Euro NCAP organization in Brussels".

And that brings us to our question; really, why hasn't Euro NCAP performed any tests on the Chinese automaker's European-market models?

HSO Motors Europe, Brilliance Importer - Official Statement on ADAC's Crash Test Results

Dear Colleague, You definitely already know that the ADAC has subjected our new BS4 series to a crash test in compliance with Euro NCAP. The results: three stars based on the old measurement method but zero stars according to the new procedure. The remarkable thing is that ADAC's counterparts in other countries, including the ÖAMTC in Austria and the Swiss and Dutch motor clubs, which co-funded the test, unanimously evaluated the crash test by awarding three stars. Only the ADAC has shocked the public with its bad news. The ADAC is misleading the press, policymakers and consumers by eliminating all of the stars and equating its zero-star rating with zero safety. The other participating motor clubs have provided much more transparent information.

In an initial statement, Focus-online has summed up this matter as follows: "The zero-star rating leads clueless buyers to believe that the BS4 is a totally unsafe car — which it is quite definitely not. Its crash test results may not be brilliant, but they are sound."

Why is this evaluation so inconsistent with that of the other European motor clubs which co-funded the test? Why has only the German motor club released a different result, despite having presumably coordinated the testing and evaluation procedures with the other clubs? How much importance can be attached to a test whose outcome must have already been clear to the ADAC in advance, considering how our cars are equipped?

And how much confidence can European consumers place in a test if its results are interpreted so differently?

It is hard to shake off the impression that a card with political dimensions is being played here — and not just in the German market. Also undeniable is that, although the test was based on the Euro NCAP rules, it was not requested by the official Euro NCAP organization in Brussels.

HSO Motors Europe, the general importer of the Brilliance brand in Europe, will now thoroughly check and assess the results together with the manufacturer, Brilliance Auto Shenyang. We are proud of being able to say to our customers, our dealers, our business partners and everyone else that Brilliance has, quite objectively assessed, made significant progress and will continue to follow this path.

New VW Golf Receives 5-Stars in Updated EuroNCAP Tests

EuroNcap today released its revised crash test results for the sixth-generation Volkswagen Golf. Despite the stricter and more comprehensive assessment criteria of EuroNCAP's updated crash test programme, the German hatchback gained the highest score of five stars. Since February 2009, a vehicle must receive a minimum value in all four categories (adult, child and pedestrian protection, plus safety assist) as well as in the overall assessment to gain a five star award.

Additionally, in the new assessment procedure, electronic safety and assistant systems such as ESC (electronic stability control) that help to prevent accidents and avoid serious injury are also included in the evaluation.

Honda Accord Achieves 5-Stars at Euro Ncap's Revised Rating System

The latest generation Honda Accord (sold in the States as the Acura TSX) has been awarded with five-stars under Euro NCAP's revised safety rating scheme that replaces the three separate ratings for pedestrian impact, adult and child protection with a single five-star rating. In the previous rating system, the Accord had a 5 star adult occupant, 4 star child occupant and 3 star pedestrian protection scores

Euro NCAP's new rating scheme uses a weighted score that combines adult (50 per cent), child (20 per cent) and pedestrian (20 per cent) protection assessment results with the availability of safety assistance devices such as the electronic stability control (10 per cent). Under the new rating system, a minimum score of 70 per cent overall is necessary for a 5-star rating. Honda's Accord achieved an overall weighted score of 78 percent.

EuroNCAP's Revised Safety Ratings for Six New Cars Including Mazda6, Avensis and Impreza

The European organization for the assessment of vehicle safety has published the first results under its updated rating system. Up until now, Euro NCAP made three separate ratings available for each vehicle, but with the new system there's an overall rating for every car covering Adult Occupant Protection, Child Occupant Protection, Pedestrian Protection and a new area of assessment, Safety Assist which takes into account systems such as electronic stability control (ESC) and seat belt reminders.

Of the six cars tested under the new ratings system, four managed to achieve Euro NCAP's maximum award of five stars: the Mazda 6, Mitsubishi Lancer, Toyota Avensis and Toyota iQ. Citroen's C3 Picasso minivan and the Subaru Impreza were both awarded four stars.

According to Euro NCAP, with the exception of the Subaru Impreza, all the other cars failed to impress on pedestrian protection.

After the announcement of the results, Mitsubishi and Subaru both said that they would change their ESC (electronic stability control) fitment policies for the Lancer and Impreza, as variants of these models without optional ESC were offered in some Euroepan countries.

Euro NCAP's new rating scheme requires all safety equipment, including ESC, to be standard on 85% of volume sales and at least optionally available on every variant.

Euro NCAP Crash Test Results: MiTo, Fiesta, Ka, Insingia, Accord, 308CC and More

Unsurprisingly, of the twelve vehicles whose crash test results were released today by Euro NCAP, eight of them were awarded with a maximum of five stars. Euro NCAP's top scorers for adult occupant protection in this release were the Alfa Romeo Mito, Ford Fiesta, Peugeot 308CC, Volkswagen Golf VI, Renault Megane, Honda Accord, Opel Insignia and the Volvo XC60. Oddly enough, and even though the new Ford Ka shares the same platform and mechanics with the Fiat 500 which has obtained a five-star rating, Ford's mini was awarded with four stars.

Even worse for Ford, the Ranger pickup received a two star rating for adult occupant protection, with Euro NCAP stating that the result "underlines the lack of emphasis given by most manufacturers to the safety of cars in this category". However, we must note that Ford's new Fiesta hatchback managed to pull out a three-star rating from a maximum of four stars in pedestrian protection which is one of the highest scores in this test.

As for the Renault group's Dacia Sandero, fitted with the basic level of equipment it scored a mediocre three stars in adult occupant protection whilst the car with the optional safety pack, scored the equivalent of four stars - apparently the Renault Group's focus in safety begins and ends with the Renault and Nissan vehicles.

Euro NCAP believes that this is probably the last time we see so many manufacturers achieving five-star scores as it will introduce a revised rating system in February next year that will include a single overall star rating rather than the current system of three categories.

Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General of Euro NCAP says: "It is clear that Euro NCAP's new rating scheme in 2009 will offer a more discriminating view of the overall safety performance of today's best-selling vehicles and give customers the opportunity to prioritize and maximize the safety options on their vehicles."

New Renault Megane Achieves Best Score in Euro NCAP Crash Test

The new Renault Megane hatchback has scored the highest possible rating in Euro NCAP's latest crash tests gathering a perfect five stars and 37 points out of 37 - that's maximum points for protection of occupants in side and front impact tests. The only other vehicle to achieve a perfect score in adult occupant protection in Euro NCAP's 10-year long history is the Qashqai from sister company Nissan ,with which the Megane hatchback shares the same platform.

In the crash safety body's other tests, the French hatchback was awarded four stars for child occupant protection while we've yet to learn how many stars the Megane managed to gather for pedestrian protection.

EuroNCAP: Improved Nissan Navara Pick-Up Gets 3-Star Rating

Today, Euro NCAP released the results for its assessment of the modified Navara which managed to achieve an acceptable three star rating for adult occupant protection. In Euro NCAP’s initial tests, the Navara was awarded a pitiful one-star rating for adult occupant protection partially due to the delayed firing of the airbag in the frontal impact test. Nissan reacted by developing new airbag software to ensure better occupant protection. Production Navaras are now equipped with the improved software and an extensive Service Campaign is underway to upgrade owners’ vehicles produced since 2005.

Moreover, in these new tests, the Navara’s Child Occupant Protection rating has also been improved to four stars due to the additional consumer information Nissan has made available.

Euro NCAP: Citroen C5 Scores 5 Stars, BMW X3, Suzuki Splash, Daihatsu Terios, & Renault Kangoo get 4 Stars

Along with the first crash test ratings on pick-up trucks (see here), Euro NCAP today also issued the results for the Suzuki Splash, Daihatsu Terios, Renault Kangoo, Citroën C5 and the BMW X3. From these models, the Citroën C5 was the only car that managed to obtain a perfect five star rating in adult occupant protection with the Suzuki Splash, Renault Kangoo, BMW X3 and Daihatsu Terios all scoring four stars. -Continued

Euro NCAP Crash Tests Pick-Up Trucks: Results Disappoint

The European equivalent of the American NHTSA in terms of crash tests, Euro NCAP, revealed today the results for three pick-up trucks, the Nissan Navara, the Isuzu D-MAX/Rodeo and the Mitsubishi L200. It’s the first time that Euro NCAP has performed crash tests in this specific vehicle category. Surprisingly, Euro NCAP notes in an official statement it released that the crash tests reveal that the safety of vehicles in this category is not a high priority for some carmakers.

Both the Nissan Navara and the Isuzu D-MAX/Rodeo received poor scores in Euro NCAP’s adult occupant rating. In particular, Nissan’s Navara achieved an extremely poor rating of a one star strikethrough while the Isuzu D-MAX/Rodeo also received a disappointing two star strikethrough rating in adult occupant protection with an unacceptably high risk of life-threatening injury to the chest region. -Continued

The best of all the pick-ups tested by Euro NCAP was the Mitsubishi L200, which received a respectable four star result in adult occupant protection. All the vehicles received disappointing child and pedestrian protection scores.

EuroNCAP: Mercedes C-Class, Renault Laguna & Volvo V70 Score 5-Star Rating

In EuroNCAP’s latest bath of results, the new Mercedes C-Class, Renault Laguna and Volvo V70 models all scored a 5-star rating for adult passenger protection. Mercedes’ new C-Class managed to get three stars for child protection and just two stars for pedestrian protection while the Volvo V70 was awarded with 4-stars for child protection and only two stars for pedestrian safety. Finally the Renault Laguna was awarded four stars for the safety it offers to children and as the other two models tested, a mediocre two star rating for pedestrian protection. –Details after the jump

VOLVO V70

Front impact
The passenger compartment remained stable during the impact. The steering column and steering wheel moved forward, creating more space for the driver dummy's head and chest. Dummy results showed that the knees and femur of the driver and passenger were well protected. Volvo were able to demonstrate that the car would provide similar levels of upper leg protection to occupants of different sizes and to those in different seating positions.

Side impact
The car scored maximum points for its performance in the side impact test. However, in the first pole test, the side airbags fired late which prevented the side curtain airbag from fully deploying, and the car was penalised. Volvo were dissatisfied with the performance of the car in that test and developed a fix for the airbag deployment problem. Euro NCAP agreed to a re-test on the condition that all cars were modified. Volvo have implemented the fix in all production vehicles and have recalled cars, telling owners to get their cars updated by their dealers. Unfortunately, the same problem occurred in the re-test and again the airbag failed to deploy correctly.

Child-protection
The V70 scored maximum points for its protection of both the 18 month and the 3 year old, based on dummy readings from the frontal and side impact tests. The passenger airbag can be disconnected by a Volvo dealer, allowing a rearward facing child restraint to be usedin that seating position. The label warning of the dangers of doing so without first disabling the airbag was not clear. The presence of ISOFIX anchorages in the rear seats was not clearly marked.

Pedestrian protection
The bumper scores maximum points for its protection of pedestrians' legs and the bonnet provided predominantly fair protection to children's heads. However, the part of the bonnet likely to be struck by an adult's head provided predominantly poor protection, as did the front edge of the bonnet.

RENAULT LAGUNA

Front impact
The passenger compartment remained stable during the impact. The driver's right lower leg was the only body region not to score maximum points in the frontal impact. The knees and femurs of the driver and passenger dummies were well protected during the impact. Renault were able to demonstrate that structures in the dashboard do not represent a hazard to occupants of different sizes or to those sat in different positions.

Side impact
The Laguna scored maximum points based on dummy responses. However, the rear door on the struck side opened during the test and the car was penalised by one point. Renault is investigating the problem.

Child-protection
The car scored maximum points for its protection of the 3 year old, based on the dummy results from the frontal and side impacts. The passenger airbag can be deactivated to allow a rearward facing child restraint to be used in that seating position but information provided to the driver about the status of the airbag was inadequate. The presence of ISOFIX anchorages was not clearly marked.

Pedestrian protection
The front edge of the bonnet scored no points for its protection of pedestrians' legs. The bonnet's protection of pedestrians' heads was predominantly poor.

MERCEDES C-CLASS

Front impact
The passenger compartment remained stable during the impact. The dummy results showed that the front seat passengers' knees and femurs were well protected and Mercedes were able to show that the car would provide similar protection to occupants of different sizes and to those sat in different seating positions.

Side impact
The car scored maximum points for its performance in the side impact and pole tests.

Child-protection
A system is available as an option on the C-Class which automatically recognises when a child restraint is fitted to the front passenger seat and disables the airbag. The system was not fitted to to the test vehicle. Without it, a rearward facing child restraint should not be used in the front passenger seat as the airbag cannot be manually disabled. The label warning of the dangers of doing to so was not permanently attached. The presence of ISOFIX anchorages was not clearly marked.

Pedestrian protection
The bumper scored maximum points for its protection of pedestrians' legs. However, the bonnet was rated as predominantly poor for the protection offered to pedestrians' legs by its front edge and to adults' heads by the bonnet surface.

EuroNcap: 5-Stars For Mazda2, 4-Stars For Honda Civic & Daihatsu Materia

Today, EuroNCAP published the test results for the new Daihatsu Materia, the Honda Civic 5d and the Mazda 2. Starting with Mazda’s new supermini, which was granted a re-test due to a problem with the deployment of the front airbag, the “2” scored a maximum five stars for adult protection, fours stars for child protection and a mediocre two stars for pedestrian protection. -Continued

As with the Civic Hybrid Sedan, the 5door Civic didn’t manage to achieve a maximum five stars rating for adult protection, managing a satisfactory 4-star rating. According to EuroNCAP, in the frontal test, the driver's airbag was not sufficiently well inflated to prevent the driver's head from contacting the steering wheel while structures in the dashboard presented a potential hazard to the driver's femurs. The Civic 5d was awarded four stars for child protection and just two stars for pedestrian protection.

Finally, the new Daihatsu Materia scored an adequate four star rating for adult protection, three star rating for child occupant safety and a mere two stars for pedestrian safety

MAZDA2

Front impact
In the first frontal test, a small disturbance shortly before impact resulted in late firing of the airbags and protection of the driver and passenger was compromised. Mazda investigated the problem and upgraded the airbag control software to handle such situations more effectively, as disturbances such as these can happen in real accidents. Production cars now have the new software and all cars manufactured before the change will be upgraded. In the re-test, the airbags fired as intended. The passenger compartment remained stable and the knees and femurs of the driver and passenger dummies were well protected. Mazda were able to demonstrate that the knees and femurs of occupants of different sizes and those sat in different seating positions would be similarly well protected.

Side impact
The rear door on the struck side opened during the test and the car was penalised one point.

Child-protection
The Mazda 2 scored maximum points for its protection of the three year old, based on the dummy reponses in the frontal and side impact tests. Mazda dealers can disable the passenger airbag, allowing a reaward facing child restraint to be used in that seating position. Without this modification, a rearward facing childseat should not be used in that seat as the airbag cannot be manually disabled. The label warning of the dangers of doing so was not adequate and was visible only when the passenger's sun visor was in the stowed position. The presence of ISOFIX anchorages in the rear outboard seats was not clearly marked.

Pedestrian protection
The bumper was rated as predominantly fair for its protection of pedestrians' legs. The part of the bonnet surface likely to be struck by adults' heads was rated as predominantly poor.

HONDA CIVIC

Front impact
Honda have modified the safety system of the Civic for the 2008 model year car. The timing of the pretensioners has been changed to provide better restraint of the front seat passengers and dual stage frontal airbags have replaced the previous single stage units. However, in the frontal test, the driver's airbag was not sufficiently well inflated to prevent the driver's head from contacting the steering wheel. The passenger compartment remained stable. Structures in the dashboard presented a potential hazard to the driver's femurs.

Side impact
The 2008 Civic has a larger side airbag than its 2006 predecessor. Rib deflections were lower, resulting in a score one point higher than the earlier version. Like last time, the car scored the maximum two points in the pole test.

Child-protection
The passenger airbag can be disabled by Honda dealers to allow a rearward facing child restraint to be used in that seating position. There was a clear warning of the dangers of using a childseat in that seat if the airbag has not been disabled. The presence of ISOFIX anchorages in the rear outboard seats was not clearly marked.

Pedestrian protection
Honda have made no changes that would influence the results of the pedestrian tests so the results of the car tested in 2006 have been carried over here. Both the bumper and the leading edge of the bonnet scored maximum points for the protection they offered to the legs of pedestrians. The part of the bonnet likely to be struck by a child's head was also rated predominantly 'fair'.

DAIHATSU MATERIA

Front impact
The driver dummy indicated considerable differential movement between the femur and the tibia. Such movement can lead to knee injuries. That result, combined with penalties for dashboard structures which could present further hazards to the driver, led to a 'weak' rating for protection of the knees, femurs and pelvis. The passenger compartment remained stable during the impact.

Side impact
A head protecting airbag is available as an option. As it is not standard equipment, the car was not eligible for a pole test.

Child-protection
The passenger airbag can be disabled to allow a rearward facing child restraint to be used in that seating position. However, information provided to the driver regarding the status of the airbag is not sufficiently clear. There was a clear warning of the dangers of using a rearward facing childseat in the position without having first disabled the airbag. The presence of ISOFIX anchorages in the rear outboard seats was not clearly marked.

Pedestrian protection
The bumper provided predominantly fair protection, as did the bonnet surface where an adult's head would strike. However, the front edge of the bonnet provided predominantly poor protection, as did that part of the surface where a child's head would contact.

EuroNCAP: 2008 Nissan X-Trail Receives 4 Start Rating

Nissan’s second generation X-Trail SUV (details here) was awarded four stars out of a maximum five for adult, as well as child, occupant protection by the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP. According to EuroNCAP, while the X-Trail scored maximum points in the side impact and pole tests, in the front impact protection of the driver's neck was rated as 'weak' because of the extent to which it was bent backwards in the test. Also, structures in the dashboard presented a risk of injury to the knees and femurs of the driver and passenger. -Continued

In terms of pedestrian safety, the X-Trail received a mediocre two out of four stars. Euroncap notes that the front edge of the bonnet scored no points for its protection of pedestrians' legs while the bonnet offered predominantly poor protection to adults' heads.

It may come as a surspise, but in the compact SUV category, the majority of vehicles (2007 Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV-4, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Mitsubishi Outlander etc) have been awarded with four stars. The only models that have managed to get a five star rating are the 2007 Land Rover Freelander and the new Volkswagen Tiguan.

Euro NCAP: 2008 Smart Fortwo Gets Four Star Rating

Smart’s all-new 2008 Fortwo has received four out of five stars in Euro NCAP’s latest adult occupant protection rating. The miniscule two-seater also obtained a mediocre 2-star rating in pedestrian safety. Since the Smart ForTwo has no rear seats, consequently it wasn’t assessed by Euro NCAP for child protection. Comparatively, the Fortwo’s predecessor, the City Coupe had received a three out of five stars in Euro NCAP’s 2000 tests. -One more pic after the jump