Drivers Technology.

 

Euro NCAP award Wednesday, 23rd May, 2007

Best Ever Adult Occupant Score For Nissan Qashqai!

Today, Euro NCAP is delighted to release the results for its highest scoring
car in adult occupant protection since Euro NCAP was established over 10
years ago. The Nissan Qashqai, a small family car, received almost maximum
points in Euro NCAP's strict front, side impact and pole crash tests as well
as a high performance score in the child occupant protection rating.

Euro NCAP's small family car class has seen colourful results over the last
year or so ranging from a two star strikethrough to some high scoring five
star cars, but until the Qashqai no car had received a full rounded 37
points in the adult occupant protection rating. Euro NCAP's front and side
impact testing verifies the crash worthiness of the vehicle and looks for
any injury that may occur to the driver or the passenger from structural
deformation of the car and vehicle deceleration as a result of an accident.
The pole test looks at potential injuries to the head.

Euro NCAP's Secretary General Adrian Hobbs said "Congratulations Nissan!
This is a particularly impressive result for this manufacturer since the
Qashqai is a new vehicle in this category. Nissan's last entry into the
small family class was in 2001."

Euro NCAP also released new crash test results for the Kia Carens, a small
MPV, which received four stars in adult occupant protection, due to its
result in the side impact test. This is the first time Kia presents a
vehicle in this class.

Today, Euro NCAP released results in the Small Family and Small MPV
categories.

The ratings for these cars can be seen in more detail at www.euroncap.com.
The complete test results will be available from 23rd May 2007.

Euro NCAP's commitment to consumers ensures that test results are released
as soon as possible. Keep checking our website for details of forthcoming
results.

For further information please contact: Cordelia Wilson, Communications
Manager +32 2 4007746 or cordelia_wilson@euroncap.com.


Ratings

Small Family

Nissan Qashqai
Adult Occupant Protection 5 stars
Child Occupant Protection 4 stars
Pedestrian Protection 2 stars

Small MPV

Kia Carens
Adult Occupant Protection 4 stars
Child Occupant Protection 3 stars
Pedestrian Protection 1 star


Editors' notes

1. With the introduction some time ago of the Child Occupant Protection
rating it is important to refer to the Adult Occupant Protection rating
correctly. In the past, this has been referred to as the "Overall" or
"Occupant" rating. Neither of these is now satisfactory.

2. The front impact test is conducted at 64km/h (40mph) into an offset
deformable barrier, the side impact test 50km/h (30mph), the pole test at
29km/h (18mph) and the pedestrian tests at 40km/h (25mph).

3. Comparison between Size Categories: It is essential that no attempt is
made to compare the ratings between cars in different segments or mass
groups. The frontal crash test aims to measure the performance of the car
impacting another car of similar mass. There is no capability to determine
what would happen if cars of widely different masses impact each other. It
is not primarily the mass difference that has the effect, but the effect
that mass has on the structural stiffness combined with the relative height
of the structures from the ground.