Global NCAP tests Maruti S-Presso, Hyundai Grand i10 Nios, Kia Seltos

Maruti’s Suzuki S-Presso, Hyundai Grand i10 Nios and Kia’s best-selling Seltos SUV feature in the crash test of the Global New Car Assessment Program (Global NCAP), under its Safer Cars for India initiative. The entry-level variant of each was chosen for the crash test.

While the Kia Seltos earned a 3-star rating, the Grand i10 Nios received two stars, and the S-Presso earned a Global NCAP rating of zero for adult occupant safety. All three models received a 2-star rating for child occupant safety. With the latest round of testing, the total count of models tested under the Safer Cars for India initiative, launched in January 2014, reaches 41 cars. It should be noted that Global NCAP tests the cars at a speed of 64 kmph, which is 8 kmph higher than the stipulated test speed according to Indian safety standards, which all cars tested by Global NCAP comply with. The Indian safety standards were updated in October 2019, which Global NCAP says is a “remarkable” development, as India is now on par with and ahead in some areas, in terms of safety standards, compared to markets like the United States and Brazil.

The S-Presso was equipped with a driver airbag as standard, while the other models offered driver and passenger airbags as standard. The range of results, from zero to three stars, highlights significant differences in the protection of adult occupants even in cars that meet minimum regulatory standards.

A statement from Global NCAP says: ‘For the Safer Cars For India project, Global NCAP currently only tests frontal crash protection for occupants and not side impact and pedestrian protection. These highly relevant safety scenarios will be part of the future evolution of Global NCAP’s crash test protocols in India. ”

“It is very disappointing that Maruti Suzuki, the manufacturer with the largest share in the Indian market, offers such a low safety performance for Indian consumers. Domestic manufacturers such as Mahindra and Tata have demonstrated high levels of safety and security for their customers, both achieving a five-star performance. It is surely time for Suzuki Maruti to demonstrate this commitment to safety for its customers ”, says Alejandro Furas, Secretary General of Global NCAP.

“We have seen significant progress in car safety in India, with new legislation introduced by the government and manufacturers such as Mahindra and Tata accepting Global NCAP’s five-star challenge and producing models that go far beyond the requirements. minimum regulatory standards, “says David Ward, president. Towards the Zero Foundation.

Global NCAP Post-Crash Test Tech Notes

MARUTI SUZUKI S-PRESSO

The S-Presso earned zero stars for the protection of adult occupants and two stars for the protection of child occupants. The S-Presso offers only a driver’s airbag as standard. High readings on the passenger’s neck account for the zero star result. However, the chest load on both front passengers was high and in more up-to-date protocols it could also lead to a red hood and zero stars for this reason as well. Its structure was rated as unstable and should be improved. His footwell area was also rated unstable. Child occupant protection showed poor results for both child mannequins in the dynamic test, explained by the poor performance of the restraint systems. The car does not offer 3-point belts in all positions as standard and does not have ISOFIX anchorages for child restraint systems (CRS).

HYUNDAI GRAND i10 NIOS

The Grand i10 Nios achieved two stars for the protection of adult occupants and two stars for the protection of child occupants. The Grand i10 Nios offers dual front airbags and pretensioners for both front passengers as standard. Its structure was classified as unstable. His footwell area was rated unstable. Head and neck protection for adult occupants was good. Chest protection was weak for the driver and adequate for the passenger, leading to the limitation of the seat belt reminder points (SBRs) that standard SBRs have for front passengers.

Child protection for occupants showed poor results, mainly explained by the automaker’s decision not to recommend CRS for testing. Global NCAP believes that automakers are responsible for all occupants and child occupants are frequent passengers. Refusing to recommend a CRS for testing raises questions about the automaker’s policy and the relevance of child occupant protection to the Indian market. The three-year-old man showed little head protection due to excessive forward excursion of the head during the crash and limited chest protection. The 18-month-old boy showed better protection. The car does not offer standard 3-point belts in all seating positions and does not offer standard ISOFIX anchors.

KIA SELTOS

Seltos achieved three stars for the protection of adult occupants and two stars for the protection of child occupants. Seltos offers dual front airbags and pretensioners as standard. Its structure was classified as an unstable borderline case. His footwell area was rated unstable. Head protection was adequate for both front passengers, as both airbags bottomed out during the crash test. Neck protection for adult occupants was good. Chest protection was good for the passenger and marginal for the driver.

The car offers SBR for the front seats. Child Occupant Protection showed poor results primarily because manufacturers refused to recommend CRS for testing, and this decision brings the dynamic score to zero. Dynamic performance was poor as the 3-year-old’s head showed rebound face contact after impact. The car showed limited head and neck protection for the 3-year-old, while the 18-month-old received acceptable protection. The car does not offer standard 3-point belts in all seating positions and does not have standard ISOFIX anchors.

Child occupant protection
Global NCAP gives a separate child safety rating to each car in order to highlight the different levels of protection that vehicles provide for rear seat passengers. Global NCAP tests a car and child seat combination recommended by the car manufacturer itself. Since the only safe way for young children to travel is to properly restrain them in a child seat, the evaluation verifies how compatible the car is with the manufacturer’s recommended child seats, as well as the protection provided in the test of shock.

Global NCAP adds: “It is surprising that in the 21st century automobile manufacturers worldwide are not offering 3-point seatbelts for all occupants with standard ISOFIX anchorages. Lap belts in the middle position make it impossible to properly and securely install a CRS and offer much less protection than an adult three-point belt. Airbags are not a substitute for seat belts, passengers must always wear them.

The results of Global NCAP’s latest round of crash tests are in stark contrast to those published in the last 12 months. Manufacturers such as Tata Motors and Mahindra earned a full five-star rating for models that include the Tata nexon, Tata altroz Y Mahindra XUV300, with the Tata Tiago and Tata Tigor securing four-star ratings earlier this year.

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