The Global New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) has released its latest crash test result giving Tata Zest a four star safety rating. Tested under the #SaferCarsforIndia campaign, the Zest, with two airbags and two pretensioners, has achieved four-star rating in Adult Occupant Protection and two stars in Child Occupant Protection. Initially, the global car safety testing body tested the standard non-airbag version of the saloon that failed to perform well.
The Zest’s standard model gets zero star rating for adult occupant protection and one star for child occupant protection. Global NCAP, however, gave an opportunity to Tata Motors to give another variant with more safety equipment. The home-grown carmaker accepted the offer, and introduced a structural improvement to the entire Zest range. The Global NCAP tested the new version with optional airbags and other child restraint systems. This improved the rear seat child occupant protection.
Buoyed by the Zest’s Global NCAP scores, the Pune-based carmaker has announced that the sedan’s entire lineup will receive improved structure across all variants.
Commenting on the results, David Ward, Secretary General of Global NCAP, said, “It is encouraging to see a major Indian brand improving the safety of their models. We strongly encourage Indian consumers to opt for the much safer 4-star rated option. We also urge Tata to consider making the two airbag version of the Zest their basic model.”
Rohit Baluja, President, Institute of Road Traffic Education, said, “The concept of star rating should not be limited to compliance, but should be taken as the challenge of producing a safe vehicle that would have the ability to support the avoidance of a crash, limiting the injury to vehicle occupants and that of people outside the vehicle in case of a crash.”
