Latest round of ANCAP vehicle safety tests show vans in light duty segment are recording high scores in crash worthiness
By Gary Worrall | October 4, 2011
The latest round of the Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) vehicle safety tests show vans in the light duty segment are recording high scores in crash worthiness.
The physical testing includes offset frontal impacts to simulate a vehicle crossing out of its lane, a side impact test and a pole test where the vehicle is propelled sideways into a post in line with the driver’s head, replicating an impact with a tree or telephone pole.
In the latest round of testing, carried out by the European testing agency Euro NCAP, both the Renault Kangoo and Citroen Berlingo received four-Star ratings, matching the Volkswagen Caddy.
While the Berlingo was awarded four stars, ANCAP says this was based on a European model fitted with a passenger’s airbag which is optional in the Australian version.
The Renault scored slightly higher on the impact tests, with a final score of 27.73, compared to the Berlingo’s 27.2, out of a possible 37 points, with the ANCAP notes also pointing out the optional passenger airbag.
Renault Australia boss Justin Hocevar says the crash test result is a good one for a light commercial, and the French manufacturer is keen to provide safe vehicles.
“At Renault we are very focused on providing a safe, real-world driving experience particularly for customers for whom a Renault LCV is also their workplace,” he says.
Volkswagen’s Caddy scored the highest of the three mini-vans with a total score of 28.46, also receiving a four-star rating from the testing agency.
Like the others, the Caddy offers an optional passenger airbag in Australia. Volkswagen can also fit a side airbag to the Caddy, which was used during the test process and helped it achieve a higher score.
The Caddy was also praised for offering height adjustable seatbelts while the buckles are mounted to the seat base, offering even better safety levels.
The Director of Commercial Vehicles for Volkswagen, Phil Clark, says the company has always been at the forefront of occupant and pedestrian safety. He says the company’s commercial vehicles have earned some of the highest safety ratings of those in their respective class.
“The high ratings we have achieved to date demonstrate our commitment to delivering class-leading vehicles,” Clark says.
“The Caddy Life and the Transporter are both popular models and to receive a four-star rating from ANCAP highlights one of the many strengths of our commercial range.
“Our concept is to be very proactive in offering safety systems as standard. For example, we now offer head thorax airbags as standard on the Caddy Maxi Life, and ESP as standard equipment on all of our models.”