Ford has become the first non-premium automaker to win two Euro NCAP advanced rewards.
The Focus was recognised for active city stop, which monitors the road ahead and brakes automatically if a collision is imminent, and lane keeping aid, which uses a forward camera to detect if the vehicle drifts out of its lane and applies a small amount of steering input to alert the driver.
The Focus also earned Euro NCAP’s maximum five-star crash safety rating, including the highest possible dynamic score for child protection in both frontal and side impact collision tests. Focus also excelled in the adult and pedestrian safety categories.
“At Ford, our mission is to provide outstanding levels of safety through accident avoidance technologies and advanced occupant protection systems, which makes this recognition from Euro NCAP incredibly gratifying,” said Stephen Odell, chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe. “We are proud we have made these technologies available to so many people in an affordable car like the new Focus.”
Dr.Andre Seeck, president of Euro NCAP, said: “The Euro NCAP advanced awards recognise safety innovation of the highest level and we are delighted Ford has shown its commitment to the safety of its vehicles such as the new Focus.”
Volvo V60 scores five stars
Among the other results released this month was the five stars for Volvo V60. This premium sports wagon is equipped as standard with safety systems such as ESC, seatbelt reminder and a driver-set speed limitation device, leading to a maximum 100 per cent score for safety assist. The car also has Volvo City Safety as standard equipment, a technology recently rewarded under Euro NCAP Advanced.
Peugeot’s new five-star 508
Peugeot’s latest D-segment sedan, the 508, and Citroën’s DS4 both achieved a five-star rating. The Peugeot 508 demonstrated good protection against whiplash injuries in a rear-end collision, the Citroën DS4 being rated as marginal in this regard.
In child protection, the two French cars, along with the five-star-rewarded Lexus CT200h, provided a means to use a rearward-facing child restraint safely in the front passenger seat while providing clear, unambiguous information to the driver about the status of the airbag. Provision for this, along with other factors, is reflected in good child protection scores particularly for the Peugeot 508.
The cars are respectively fitted with Citroen localised emergency call and Peugeot connect SOS, two technologies rewarded by Euro NCAP Advanced.
Warning on Pedestrian Impact Ratings
A word of warning to all manufacturers comes with a 2012 deadline, when, to achieve five stars, Euro NCAP will increase the percentage of pedestrian scores from 40 per cent to 60 per cent.
Currently pedestrian impact ratings has not been a big factor for car buyers and therefore has not been a big priority for many carmakers. And to put that in perspective, the 508, DS4 and CT200h above would not pass the higher pedestrian rating if it was in place today.
All carmakers will have to plan for this from next year.
