KIA Picanto-Euro NCAP Crash Test Safety Results

KIA Picanto

The latest European NCAP crash test safety results brought shock news for Kia as its new super mini, the KIA Picanto, failed to record a top five-star rating.

“In 2011, consumers should expect this critical safety equipment to be part of any offering regardless of car size or price.”

A statement released by Kia Motors (UK), said: “Euro NCAP rate the lowest specification version on offer within Europe and, as such, tested a version without Electronic Stability Control. The Aveo performance is particularly impressive considering that the previous model struggled to gain just two stars in the NCAP safety tests.

Stable mate, the Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet, was next and also clocked the top result for adult passenger safety.

The latest set of Euro NCAP crash test results brings an additional reward and more 5 stars. Only the Kia Picanto receives an overall rating of 4 stars. Euro NCAP continues to test plug-in and electric vehicles and announces that the Opel/Vauxhall Ampera achieves an overall rating of 5 stars. Also released this month are the Chevrolet Aveo and Chevrolet Orlando, which showed good whiplash and adult occupant protection scores.

Some of the tested vehicles have obtained high scores for child occupant protection. Rating said: “Euro NCAP evaluates child safety for each model tested and encourages car manufacturers to provide equally good protection for adults and children. Euro NCAP is encouraged to see important advanced safety systems being offered to consumers on more and more models. The largest model yet for Citroen’s premium sub-brand, the Citroen DS5, also achieved 5 stars.

The car is fitted with the Citroen Localized Emergency Call, a PSA Peugeot-Citroen technology recognized in 2010 under Euro NCAP Advanced. Euro NCAP will be present at the Frankfurt Motor Show to hand out the privileged Euro NCAP Advanced reward on Mazda's booth.

The European motoring safety watchdog released today a new batch of test results for the vehicles it crashed and trashed. The crash tested vehicle obtained 31 points (86 percent) for adult occupant protection, 40 points (83 percent) for child occupants, only 17 points (47 percent) for pedestrian and 3 points (71 percent) for the safety assist section.