Cars Car reviews
Euro NCAP has released the crash test results for four vehicles: the Honda CR-Z, the Suzuki Swift, the Citroen C4 and the Hyundai ix35 - and all of the cars received a maximum five star rating.
The safety body says the results show that manufacturers are rising to the challenges of Euro NCAP's new rating scheme and are continuing to make safety a priority.
The Honda CR-Z demonstrates that good all round safety needs not be compromised by a fuel efficient petrol-electric hybrid; its pedestrian protection result continues the high scores achieved by recently tested Hondas.
Several manufacturers are expected to release fully electric vehicles in the near future.
Euro NCAP is poised to test them to ensure that high safety standards are maintained, with the first results expected early in 2011.
From October onwards Euro NCAP will be able to offer even more comprehensive guidance to consumers about the safety offered by new cars. Euro NCAP Advanced will assess those technologies which are beyond the scope of the current crash tests.
At least one of the cars presented has a driver assistance technology which could be assessed by Euro NCAP Advanced. The organisation will release the findings of its first assessments at the Paris Motor Show on October 1.
