FORD'S Fiesta has missed out on the latest round of supermini crash safety tests conducted by Euro NCAP. None of the seven cars in the first test in 1997 gained the maximum four-star rating. Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo scored three, while Vauxhall Corsa, Renault Clio, Fiat Punto and Nissan Micra achieved two points.

The new facelifted Fiesta was launched too late to be tested, but it will be included in a later NCAP supermini assessment alongside the Peugeot 206, Toyota Yaris and Rover 25, the results of which will be announced on June 29. Superminis analysed in the latest batch, for which results were due to be published on February 24 are the Vauxhall Corsa, Fiat Punto, Hyundai Atoz, Volkswagen Lupo, MCC Smart and cars unfamiliar to UK drivers, the Honda Logo and Lancia Ypsilon.