Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza achieves 4 stars in Global NCAP crash test, Renault Scores a duck with Lodgy

The Child Occupant Protection rating was only two stars due to the forward facing positioning of the 18 month old dummy in the test though the 3 year old dummy received good protection. The markings for the ISOFIX anchorages were also incorrect according to Global NCAP testing protocols.

The Renault Lodgy without airbags in its standard version achieved zero stars for Adult Occupant Protection and two stars for Child Occupant Protection. The zero star result was partly due to the lack of airbags which caused the head and chest to impact the steering wheel. The car also showed an unstable structure during the crash with deformations even in the rear door and a rupture in the footwell area during the crash. The lack of ISOFIX anchorages meant that the child seats needed to be installed with adult seatbelts, that could not prevent excessive forward excursion of the 3 year old dummy which impacted its head on the driver seat backrest.

“Indian developed cars like the Vitara Brezza together with the Tata Nexon, previously published in August, are clear evidence of the steady improvement in the Indian automotive industry and show a significant potential for much safer cars in the near future,” said David Ward, Global NCAP Secretary General said,

“The four star result for Maruti Suzuki’s Vitara Brezza is really impressive. It demonstrates clearly the safety engineering capabilities of India’s leading vehicle manufacturer. It also shows the beneficial effects of the Indian Government’s new crash test standards helping to raise levels of vehicle safety. We are getting very close now to seeing India’s first five star car. In contrast the zero star Renault Lodgy is extremely disappointing. Global NCAP had hoped that Renault had learned from the difficult experience they had with the Kwid. It’s time now for Renault to make front air bags standard across their entire Indian product range,” he added.

Safer Cars For India Campaign

#SaferCarsForIndia Campaign was launched by the Global New Car Assessment Programme (Global NCAP) in 2014 with the objective of promoting safer vehicles in the country. Between 2014 and 2017 Global NCAP has completed more than twenty-five safety assessments which have acted as an important catalyst in the safety improvement of Indian cars.

Meanwhile, the Global NCAP is hosting its first ever World Congress in Delhi from September 26 – 29, 2018. The Congress is bringing together the community of New Car Assessment Programmes (NCAPs) worldwide to share experience about independent consumer vehicle safety rating. The meeting will also provide a unique opportunity to assess the contribution that safer vehicles can make to the United Nations’ Decade of Action for Road Safety and the Sustainable Development Goals.