Dacia budgets on safety after receiving three stars from Euro NCAP

Euro NCAP has released the results of 15 cars and rewards several new advanced driver assistance technologies under its Advanced assessment scheme.

Whereas three stars may satisfy Dacia’s own ambitions, consumers are once again called upon to opt for safety, with plenty of other vehicles in this category scoring five stars this year, says Euro NCAP.

The Lodgy’s scored 72% in the adult score, 77% child, only 44% in pedestrian tests and 29% in safety assist giving an overall three star rating.

Dr Michiel van Ratingen, secretary general of Euro NCAP, said: “It is disappointing to see the Lodgy do badly in our tests, especially coming just a week after the Sandero, branded a Renault in South America, was given a poor one star rating by Latin NCAP. The Lodgy is a budget vehicle and customers will accept compromises in comfort and performance, but not safety. Euro NCAP believes that occupants’ safety should be paramount, regardless of how much they pay for their vehicle.”

The V60 Plug-In Hybrid has scored very similarly to its conventionally-engined counterpart, assessed last year, despite the hybrid powertrain adding nearly 350 kg. In contrast, the Range Rover has shed some kilograms, weighing over 200 kg less than the car previously tested by Euro NCAP. Euro NCAP understands that, despite generally good results and a five star rating, the Range Rover will soon be equipped with an improved head restraint to bring whiplash protection in line with expectations for a car of this quality.

The new Golf has scored similarly to its predecessor in most areas but sets a new benchmark by including several advanced driver assistance technologies. The Golf is available with a Multi Collision Brake system, Front Assist and Proactive Occupant Protection, all newly rewarded by Euro NCAP Advanced, as well as Lane Assist. However, the car misses out on a standard-fit rear seatbelt reminder, a feature which is commonplace in many cars today.

Other cars fitted with advanced driver technologies are Mercedes-Benz’s entry-level car, the A-Class, and the Ford Fiesta. The A-Class gets Collision Prevention Assist and Attention Assist as standard equipment, with PRE SAFE available as an option. The Fiesta is offered with MyKey, a programmable key system that allows some safety-critical characteristics of the car to be tailored to particular drivers. For the Fiesta, that may allow parents to help their children drive responsibly, with limits on maximum speed and more insistent seatbelt reminders.

Ratingen said: “Programmable keys open up a whole new range of possibilities, not just for parents and their children. The technology will also be of interest to companies with safe-driving policies and I look forward to more widespread application of this sort of system in the future.”

The next publication of Euro NCAP results is scheduled for 12 December 2012.

The cars below all received 5 stars except for the Dacis Lodgy that was rated as a three star vehicle.