[volkman10]

LATEST NCAP tests - 2017

Very disappointing LATIN NCAP results for FORD KA.

Zero stars for the Ford Ka in latest Latin NCAP crash test!









Gets three stars for child occupant protection.

The model was originally tested in a frontal crash in 2015 where it achieved four stars. In order to estimate the result under Latin NCAP’s new crash test protocols (2016) an additional side impact test was conducted. The Ka performed poorly in the side impact test, showing high levels of injuries in the adult chest, high B-pillar intrusion in the occupant compartment and a door opening. The Ka did not offer side impact energy absorption devices in its structure and in its inner door panel. Considering the test results the Ka would fail to pass the United Nations basic side impact protection regulation (UN95), mandatory in Europe since 1995.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6AC2eoF0xI

[bhpfaninblr]

Very disappointing indeed. The Ecosport manufactured in India needed 100+ changes before it was tested. Definitely this was not expected from Ford.

[Aditya]

Zero stars for the Ford Ka (Figo) in 2017 Latin NCAP crash test! - Post moved to a new thread.

[abhishek46]

The Figo/KA having questionable safety standards, was already known.

However, the interesting bit this test brings to the light, is that manufacturers are very cleverly tweaking the cars to just pass at the crash test lab for those specific crash test scenarios alone.

If some parameters like for example, the angle/position of impact is changed, then the same car will fail the test, as demonstrated above.

It is high time, car makers take safety seriously.
Looks like Diesel-gate did nothing to wake them up.

Lastly, Car buyers also need to wake up.
Frontal safety (which is generally advertised) is not the only aspect.
Impact from sides, rear, corners are equally dangerous.
Only a well-built-car can insulate us in case a real crash.

[vishnurp99]

Hi all -

Just for my understanding can you share other examples of cars which went thru the side impact test without any side safety devices like window airbags etc.

The point I am trying to make is - since there is only a few inches of sheet metal protecting the passenger I doubt if any other car would have fared better in the side impact test without the required safety devices

[jetsetgo08]

Don't know on what criteria the NCAP selects the cars to be tested. But, were there any significant changes in the 2017 version? Why did they test the 2017 version exclusively?

IMHO, if the manufacturers are allowed to tweak their cars during crash testing to achieve a better safety rating, then at least one randomly selected car from the production lot should again be crash tested, to ensure the developments from the crash tests are passed on to the production. This would ensure the manufacturers do not swindle the customers w.r.t safety rating.

[abhishek46]

Originally Posted by vishnurp99

Hi all -

The point I am trying to make is - since there is only a few inches of sheet metal protecting the passenger I doubt if any other car would have fared better in the side impact test without the required safety devices

No, Sir. It is not only a few millimeters of sheet metal of the door that protects the passenger in case of a side crash.
There are side impact beams as well, built into the door itself, which bear the brunt of the crash energy.

A poorly built door, with poor strength side impact beams/absence of the such beams, can never be compensated by curtain or side Airbags.

[volkman10]

Originally Posted by jetsetgo08

Don't know on what criteria the NCAP selects the cars to be tested. But, were there any significant changes in the 2017 version? Why did they test the 2017 version exclusively?

The Latin NCAP side impact test in order to estimate the result according to the new assessment protocols (2016).

The model was originally assessed in a frontal impact in 2015, achieving four stars for adult occupant.

[vishnurp99]

Of course. I was asking for an example where just the side impact bars got a car a good rating.

Every manufacturer including Ford claims that side impact bars are present. I am sure they are there for Figo too. Correct me if I am wrong here

[volkman10]

Originally Posted by vishnurp99

Of course. I was asking for an example where just the side impact bars got a car a good rating.
Every manufacturer including Ford claims that side impact bars are present. I am sure they are there for Figo too. Correct me if I am wrong here

See any Euro NCAP test results for Ford KA+, Suzuki Swift, Hyundai i20, etc.

[vishnurp99]

Originally Posted by volkman10

See any Euro NCAP test results for Ford KA+, Suzuki Swift, Hyundai i20, etc.

I did and it seems to substantiate my point. All of them have lateral crash protection devices for the driver. Can you send me the link that you are looking at?

[volkman10]

Originally Posted by vishnurp99

I did and it seems to substantiate my point. All of them have lateral crash protection devices for the driver. Can you send me the link that you are looking at?

Here is an example of the side impact test,



link

[vishnurp99]

This car has side airbags. My point was that any car be it the i20 or Swift or ka+ without side airbags & curtain airbags would flunk the side impact test.

[d3mon]

Here's a car that passed the side impact test even without side & curtain airbags!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kflf2fG1u8

I must say that I was surprised to see that it was possible to pass this test without side airbags. It'd be very interesting to see if the addition of those extra airbags would let the Ka pass this test.
In terms of structural deformity, while the Kia rio fared better than the Ka, there were

https://www.latinncap.com/en/result/...dan-+-1-airbag

[JonSnow]

Originally Posted by vishnurp99

This car has side airbags. My point was that any car be it the i20 or Swift or ka+ without side airbags & curtain airbags would flunk the side impact test.

The Honda Fit passed the side impact test in Latin NCAP in 2015 (https://www.latinncap.com/en/result/...it-+-2-airbags). I don't know if it would get the same ratings based on current test parameters. But it does say that it passed the UN95 side impact requirements, while the Ford Ka fails those requirements.

Edit: Link to video for Honda Fit Latin NCAP

https://youtu.be/7W8eVZpdwrY?t=2m