Automobile Industry

Renault Kwid, Mahindra Scorpio and 3 Other Cars Failed 2016 Global NCAP Crash Test

Global NCAP

Global NCAP tested 5 mass-segment cars including the Maruti Celerio, Maruti Eeco, Renault Kwid, Mahindra Scorpio and Hyundai Eon.

Results of the recently concluded Global NCAP crash tests on Indian cars were released today in Faridabad. Sadly, all the cars failed the crash test once again raising questions on the quality of the cars that are being sold in India. It was 2014 when the first ever global NCAP tests were conducted for Indian cars, and back then too no cars could pass the crash test. Even after two years and manufacturers’ promise of making ‘safer cars for India’, the GNCAP test results prove that there is still lot to be done in this direction.

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This year too, Global NCAP tested 5 mass-segment cars including the Maruti Celerio, Maruti Eeco, Renault Kwid, Mahindra Scorpio and Hyundai Eon. The agency found that all these cars have quite low levels of adult occupant protection, due to which they scored zero star ratings. The recently launched Renault Kwid was tested in three versions including the airbag-equipped one, but none of those could pass the test. All these cars were tested at 64kmph, and the dummy occupants received life-threatening injuries due to ‘unstable’ body shell.

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Unveiling the latest crash test results during the Indian Automobile Safety Conference hosted by IRTE in Faridabad, David Ward, secretary general of Global NCAP said, “The latest ‘SaferCarsforIndia’ results show how important it is for cars to have a body shell that can remain stable in a crash. This is an absolutely crucial pre-requisite for occupant safety together with fitment at least of front airbags. It is very surprising that a manufacturer like Renault introduced the Kwid initially lacking this essential feature. Global NCAP strongly believes that no manufacturer anywhere in the world should be developing new models that are so clearly sub-standard.”

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“Carmakers must ensure that their new models pass the UN’s minimum crash test regulations, and support use of an airbag,” he added. “The results highlight the importance of the Indian Government’s decision to mandate front and side impact crash tests from October 2017. Legislative action is needed to ensure that the minimum levels of occupant protection recommended by the United Nations are guaranteed for Indian consumers. But manufacturers don’t have to wait for legislation and we urge them to act to eliminate all zero-star cars from production as soon as possible.”

“Global NCAP also welcomes the forthcoming launch of a Bharat New Car Assessment Programme which can help build a market for safer cars in India,” Ward concluded.

Renault Kwid

Renault Kwid crash test

The agency tested both the standard and the driver-side airbag versions of the Renault Kwid. Both the versions scored zero stars in adult occupant protection and two stars in child occupant protection. Though the vehicle’s structure did not collapse, it was found to be ‘unstable’.

Maruti Suzuki Eeco

maruti eeco crash test

Maruti Suzuki Eeco, one of the top-selling Maruti Suzuki cars in India, scored zero stars in adult occupant protection and two stars in child occupant protection. Due to passenger compartment structure collapse and unavailability of airbags, it failed the test. Though this model doesn’t come with even optional airbags, it would not still avoid life-threatening injuries to the driver even with airbags.

Maruti Suzuki Celerio

Maruti Celerio crash test

Another Maruti Suzuki that was tested in the fresh round was the Celerio. The standard Maruti Celerio (without airbag) scored worse of all the cars. While it scored zero in adult occupant protection like all the tested cars, it scored the least in child occupant protection with 1 star rating.

Hyundai Eon

Hyundai Eon crash test

Hyundai’s entry-level hatch was also tested, and this one too scored zero stars in the adult protection. In child occupant protection it scored two. Similar to the Kwid, the vehicle’s structure was found unstable.

Mahindra Scorpio

Mahindra Scorpio crash test

The only SUV in the fresh round of tests was the Mahindra Scorpio – a highly popular vehicle in the country. Against its rugged and go-anywhere image, the base variant of the new Mahindra Scorpio scored zero in the adult occupant protection. And despite being a bigger and most expensive of the recently tested lot, this one too scored two stars in the child occupant protection.

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