Every two years, the European New Car Assessment Programme updates and toughens its test protocols. This year new tests have been introduced to address some long-standing needs in occupant protection, improve post-crash protection and promote the latest advanced driver assistance technology.
A key change is the implementation of a new moving barrier to moving car frontal crash test, replacing the regulation-based moderate offset-deformable barrier test, used by Euro NCAP for the last 23 years.
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This new crash test evaluates the protection of occupants inside the car and also assesses how the cars' front end structures contribute to injuries in the collision.
Important innovations are the Mobile Progressive Deformable Barrier and the unique method to rate vehicle compatibility, as well as the first adoption of the world's most advanced Thor mid-sized male crash test dummy.
Side impacts account for the second highest frequency of death or serious injuries. The latest updates to this area of the safety assessment include adjustments to the near side barrier test speed and mass, increasing the severity of the test.
Euro NCAP will for the first time evaluate far side impact protection, focussing on driver protection and the potential interaction between driver and front seat passenger. With the latter test, the protection offered by new countermeasures such as centre airbags can be adequately verified.
Euro NCAP continues to test the latest generation of crash prevention and driver assistance systems. New, challenging test scenarios are added to rate AEB technology for cars and vulnerable road users, including back over situations and turning at a crossing.
In addition, the first step is taken to evaluate Driver Status Monitoring systems, designed to detect driver fatigue and distraction, as part of the Safety Assist assessment.
In partnership with CTIF, the International Association of Fire & Rescue Services, Euro NCAP developed new rating rules to promote better post-crash safety. Manufacturers will be rewarded when rescue information is accurate and easily available. Euro NCAP also checks ease of extrication, electric door handles, etc and endorses advanced eCall functions.
Consumers must be careful when directly comparing the latest results with ratings from previous years. What stays the same is that only vehicles that perform well in crash protection, post-crash and crash avoidance will achieve the top five star rating.
The worldwide pandemic has put Euro NCAP testing temporarily on hold for the last few months.
New results are expected after the summer.
