LOW IN FUEL CONSUMPTION YET TOPS IN SAFETY

New crash test results from Australia’s leading independent vehicle safety advocate, show that cars with low fuel consumption can also achieve the highest safety rating.
 
The Mini Cooper diesel hatch, Ford Fiesta ECOnetic diesel hatch, Volvo C30 diesel hatch and all models of Toyota’s environmental flagship vehicle, the hybrid Prius, have achieved a five-star safety rating in the latest round of testing by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).
 
AANT Technical Manager, Mark Borlace, said the results demonstrate to new car buyers that they can save fuel and still get five-star safety.
 
“These ratings show that manufacturers can make a range of fuel efficient vehicles, which do not compromise safety,” Mr Borlace said.
 
Other results released today reveal the recently released Subaru Liberty Exiga and the upgraded Hyundai Santa Fe, with four-cylinder engine, also achieved five-star ANCAP ratings, with the Honda City sedan achieving a four-star rating.
 
Mr Borlace said that consumers can see from today’s results that Subaru continues to achieve five-star ANCAP results across its range and that Hyundai, with their four-cylinder Santa Fe, have improved their model to also achieve a five-star ANCAP result.
 
“The Honda City only missed out on five stars because ESC is not available, which has been an ANCAP requirement for the achievement of five stars since the beginning of 2008 – making the lack of ESC for the City disappointing,” he said.

“All of these five-star models include head-protecting side airbags or curtains, anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake Distribution and Electronic Stability Control as standard, and it is pleasing to see the results apply to all models in the various ranges, not just luxury specified vehicles.”

“As for pedestrian protection there were mixed results with the City, Exiga and Fiesta ECOnetic achieving three out of four stars, while the upgraded Santa Fe improved from zero to one-star.”

The results released today are from crash tests undertaken by ANCAP in Australia and by ANCAP’s sister organisation EuroNCAP, to internationally recognised protocols. ANCAP is supported by all Australian and New Zealand motoring clubs, all Australian state governments and the New Zealand Government.

For a full list of ANCAP’s vehicle safety ratings and other vehicle safety information, go to www.ancap.com.au

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Contact: Mark Borlace, AANT Technical Manager, (08) 8202 4682 or 0419 828 844