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Motoring news

Euro car safety tests to 'toughen up'

11/11/2008

European car safety ratings are to get much tougher, the principle testing body has announced.

Euro NCAP, established in 1997 to assess the safety of new cars sold in Europe, says that an overhaul of its ratings next year will result in "a much tougher and more comprehensive assessment".

Euro NCAP's tests involve accelerating cars into a deformable barrier headfirst at 40mph. Two side-impact tests add a 30mph impact from a barrier, and an 18mph impact to the driver's door from a rigid pole.

They are conducted in addition to mandatory legal tests and, although a car need not pass them, high-scoring cars are often marketed with reference to their Euro-NCAP score.

Under the current system, cars are awarded up to five stars for adult occupant protection and child occupant protection, with up to four stars available for pedestrian safety. Although many cars have now received five stars for adult protection, none have been awarded full marks in child or pedestrian tests.

The new scheme will assess cars in the existing categories, adding a fourth category examining electronic driver and safety aids. An overall rating will be given based on all four categories, meaning that only cars achieving top marks all-round can be said to have a "five-star rating".

Euro NCAP secretary-general Dr Michiel Van Ratingen explained that the ratings needed to evolve to remain a true reflection of car safety.

"There is no doubt that this new overall rating will provide clear challenges to industry, but at the same time it will create opportunities for manufacturers to be rewarded for their dedication to safety," he said.