Chevrolet new small car Aveo earns top safety rating in europe

The new Chevrolet Aveo hatchback, which will be sold as the Chevrolet Sonic in North America beginning this fall, received a top five-star safety rating from the European New Car Assessment Program (EuroNCAP), which released its latest results this week.



According to EuroNCAP, the Chevrolet Aveo hatchback secured 85 out of 100 points,which places it among the best in its segment.





In the key areas of adult and child occupant protection, the Aveo, achieved 95 and 87 percent of the maximum possible score, respectively.



In North America, the Sonic is equipped with 10 standard airbags that are connected to the sensing and diagnostic modules mounted into the centerline of the car. It also features a child-seat latching system. The car's active safety systems include electronic stability control, traction control, a four-channel anti-lock braking system with brake assist, and electronic brake force distribution.



The new Aveo was launched in Europe in spring 2011. It is part of a wave of new-car launches in Europe for 2011, Chevrolet's centennial year. Other entries in Europe include the new Captiva, Cruze hatchback, Camaro Coupe and Convertible, Corvette Grand Sport and Chevrolet's multiple award-winning electric car with extended range capability, the Volt.



| Chevrolet

The new BMW X3 earns 5 stars in the Euro NCAP crash test

Thanks to its segment-leading dynamic handling and versatility, the new BMW X3 has emerged as a highly successful model in the international car markets within a matter of months. The fact that it also assumes an exemplary role on the safety front has now been confirmed by Europe’s leading crash test programme. In the latest Euro NCAP crash test, the BMW X3 achieved the highest rating of 5 stars. The second-generation Sports Activity Vehicle earned its top marks in this challenging test for new vehicles thanks to its comprehensive range of standard safety equipment and effective occupant protection in various types of collision.



Achieving the best rating in the Euro NCAP crash test is proof of the very high level of the safety concept developed for the BMW X models. The new BMW X3 boasts an extremely stable body structure, and the forces exerted on the vehicle in a collision are deflected along precisely defined load paths and absorbed by generous deformation zones. Consequently, the passenger cell fulfils its function as a survival space even in serious collisions. Standard safety equipment inside the new BMW X3 includes front, side and curtain head airbags that protect both the driver and the passengers from injury. Also standard are belt latch tensioners and belt force limiters for the front seats and ISOFIX systems in the rear for attaching child seats, as well as the option of deactivating the front passenger airbag. The restraint systems are controlled by the central safety electronics, which take into account the type and severity of an accident to trigger the most effective protective features in each case.





In their evaluation of the crash test results, the assessors concluded that the new BMW X3 provides a high degree of occupant safety in all seats. Its stable passenger cell provides comprehensive injury protection in a front-end collision for both the driver and the passengers, regardless of a person’s size and the position of their seat. Here the Sports Activity Vehicle was awarded outstanding ratings for the protection of children aged around three years or 18 months in the relevant-sized child seats. For its side impact protection, the BMW X3 likewise achieved the maximum available points.



The new BMW X3 earned an outstanding rating for its active safety features as well. The Sports Activity Vehicle comes as standard with the Dynamic Stability Control system (DSC), which is linked to BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive. Thanks to its wide-ranging functions, including Braking Assistant, Cornering Brake Control and the traction mode DTC (Dynamic Traction Control), Dynamic Stability Control ensures easily controllable and secure handling even in challenging driving situations. Further standard features on the BMW X3 include a Tyre Defect Indicator that warns the driver in good time of a loss of pressure in any individual wheel.



The test procedure of the NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) ranks as one of the most rigorous tests worldwide to which new vehicles are subjected. The Euro NCAP test is a benchmark for crash safety recognised throughout Europe by governments, automobile clubs and consumer associations. The test profile includes, among other aspects, a frontal collision, a side-on crash and a side impact against a steel post. Since 2009, electronic safety features have also been taken into account, along with additional injury risks in a wide range of collisions.



Last year the Munich premium automobile manufacturer was distinguished by the safety testing institute Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme) with a special award for the BMW Assist Advanced eCall, the advanced emergency call system with automatic localisation and accident severity detection which is also available for the BMW X3.



| BMW

The latest set of Euro NCAP crash test results brings an additional reward and more 5 stars, but not everyone is ready for tougher requirements in 201

This month’s top scorers with five star results are the Audi A6, the BMW X3, the Chevrolet Aveo and Chevrolet Orlando, the Citroën DS5, the Hyundai i40, the Opel Ampera, the VW Golf Cabriolet and Jetta.



Only the Kia Picanto receives an overall rating of 4 stars, a result poorer than many of its city-car competitors. Surprisingly, the new Picanto is not fitted with Electronic Stability Control as standard across the model range. Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP Secretary General, says: ‘Proven safety benefits of ESC resulted in new legislation requiring the technology to be fitted as standard on all new models in Europe as of next year. In 2011, consumers should expect this critical safety equipment to be part of any offering regardless of car size or price’.





Euro NCAP continues to test plug-in and electric vehicles and announces that the Opel/Vauxhall Ampera achieves an overall rating of 5 stars. The new range-extending EV reaches the maximum points in the side pole test as a result of a well optimized balance of structure, interior and restraint system.



Also released this month are the Chevrolet Aveo and Chevrolet Orlando, which showed good whiplash and adult occupant protection scores. Euro NCAP recognises the major efforts made by the manufacturer since 2006, when the previous Aveo made headlines with a poor struck-through two star adult occupant result.



Some of the tested vehicles have obtained high scores for child occupant protection. The Hyundai i40 and both VW Jetta and Golf Cabriolet are scoring 86%. Michiel van Ratingen says: ‘Euro NCAP evaluates child safety for each model tested and encourages car manufacturers to provide equally good protection for adults and children. We consider child protection as a very important part of the overall star rating and have plans to step up our requirements even more in the coming years’. (Watch our video on Euro NCAP child safety assessment.)



While many cars released continue to impress in the areas of adult and child occupant protection, pedestrian protection scores are generally still lagging behind. The Opel Ampera, Audi A6 and Citroën DS5 only just meet Euro NCAP's 2011 pedestrian requirements for a 5 star rating but none of the cars in this release would meet the more stringent 5 star requirement of 60% coming into effect in 2012. A few car makers have already stepped up, showing much higher pedestrian scores such as the recently tested Ford Focus. Euro NCAP hopes that others will follow suit soon.



Euro NCAP is encouraged to see important advanced safety systems being offered to consumers on more and more models. The largest model yet for Citroën’s premium sub-brand, the Citroën DS5, also achieved 5 stars. The car is fitted with the Citroën Localized Emergency Call, a PSA Peugeot-Citroën technology recognised in 2010 under Euro NCAP Advanced. Likewise, the 5 star new medium-sized SUV BMW X3 comes with the awarded Advanced eCall, a system that is able to automatically notify emergency services providing critical details of the crash event.



Another example is the Mazda Rear Vehicle Monitoring System available on the Mazda 3 tested in 2009. Euro NCAP reviewed the safety benefits of this technology that detects and warns the driver of an approaching vehicle and helps to avoid common lane change related crashes involving two or more vehicles. Euro NCAP will be present at the Frankfurt Motor Show to hand out the privileged Euro NCAP Advanced reward on Mazda’s booth.



| Euro NCAP

Audi A6 gets top rating for passive crash safety

The Euro NCAP consortium has awarded the new Audi A6 the maximum five-star rating for passive crash safety. The results for adult occupant protection in a frontal, rear or side collision and for child safety and pedestrian protection make the new Audi A6 one of the safest cars in its class.



The Euro NCAP consortium has awarded the new Audi A6 the maximum five-star rating for passive crash safety. Founded in 1997, the consortium is made up of international representatives from European transport ministries, automobile associations, insurers and consumer protection organizations. It performs extensive testing of the crash performance of new cars.





The results for adult occupant protection in a frontal or side collision and the child safety and pedestrian protection place the new Audi A6 among the safest cars in its class. The demanding test requirements of the Euro NCAP far exceed the standards of European lawmakers.



The scores awarded by the testers to the A6 for driver and passenger protection in frontal and side impact collisions easily earned the car the top rating of five stars. Children are also well protected in the new Audi A6. But ensuring protection for pedestrians and cyclists is also an important concern for Audi. A vehicle front end specially designed for this requirement helps to mitigate the consequences of a collision. The Audi A6 earned similarly good results in the Euro NCAP test.



In addition to the elements evaluated by the institution, Audi also gives top priority to integral safety as well as active safety. For this reason the Audi A6 offers an integral pedestrian protection system with standard daytime running lights and optional night vision assistant with a pedestrian warning. Additional driver assistance systems include Audi active lane assist or the all-weather light with adaptive headlight range control.



The Audi pre sense system is a milestone in active safety. In situations where a collision is likely, the “Audi pre sense plus” system initiates partial braking. If a collision is unavoidable, the partial braking is followed by a full deceleration that reduces the intensity of the impact. Target braking assists drivers in situations where they do not apply sufficient braking force despite having received visual and acoustic warnings.



| Audi

Euro NCAP Releases New Crash Test Results, Announces Changes for 2012

As nine out of 10 cars tested this month earned the highest result of 5 starts in Euro NCAP’s crash tests, the safety organization is gearing up for making the 2012 requirements even more demanding.

In alphabetical order, the five-star winners are: the Audi A6, the BMW X3, the Chevrolet Aveo, the Chevrolet Orlando, the Citroen DS5, the Hyundai i40, the Opel Ampera, the VW Golf Cabriolet and the VW Jetta.

Read more »