Euro NCAP, the independent crash safety rating agency, has found faults with the airbag deployment of two new cars.
The Volvo V70’s side airbags failed to deploy correctly in the side pole test on two occasions.
And the Mazda 2’s front airbags failed to work correctly on one occasion.
In both cases the delay before deployment was not part of the tests, but noted as a possible issue in a real-life situation.
Both manufacturers rectified the problems on their vehicles. And were re-tested.
During the second test phase, the Mazda’s airbags worked correctly. However, the Volvo’s still fired late. Volvo is investigating the issue.
“This is exactly why Euro NCAP exists: to independently evaluate the protection that these cars offer and to spot just this kind of error,” commented Michiel van Ratingen, secretary general, Euro NCAP.
Four of the six cars crash-tested received a five-star rating. However, only one, the Honda Civic, was awarded a three-star pedestrian protection rating.
Euro NCAP crash test results
- Daihatsu Materia 4 star occupant; 3 star child; 2 star pedestrian
- Mazda 2 5 star occupant; 4 star child; 2 star pedestrian
- Honda Civic 4 star occupant; 4 star child; 3 star pedestrian
- Mercedes C-Class 5 star occupant; 3 star child; 2 star pedestrian
- Renault Laguna 5 star occupant; 4 star child; 2 star pedestrian
- Volvo V70 5 star occupant; 4 star child; 2 star pedestrian
- Source: Euro NCAP www.euroncap.com
