[IshaanIan]

While it is nice to see that the Indian Swift isn't a "tin box" as I'm certain all of you know a particular group of auto enthusiasts call it , it is still dismaying to see that it is not as structurally safe as its international cousin who scores higher than most in her segment (polo, punto, i20 etc.) Does anyone else right now miss those days when we had Astras, Escorts, Corsas, SS80, Matiz? I mean yes they are old cars and that is where they belong (in the 80-90s) BUT it was a far simpler time where the Indian customer was guaranteed of getting exactly what his in-laws in Europe would be buying.

[blacksport]

Originally Posted by IshaanIan

While it is nice to see that the Indian Swift isn't a "tin box" as I'm certain all of you know a particular group of auto enthusiasts call it

I don't think so. When all the other suzukis become tin boxes when it reaches our shore, I don't think maruti would spare the scalpel only for swift. The swift is as much a tin box as any other maruti. If you dont believe me, strip open a door and compare it with a polo or a punto.

[H_Dogg72]

The marutis feel very light and flimsy.
As stated above, just try to compare the door of a swift with a polo.
The swift door bends with minimal force from my hand, the polo's doesn't.
Now I know that you might say it's absorbing the impact but, it's structural integrity is still weaker.
It'll still be a "tin box" for me.

[IshaanIan]

In my limited experience as an auto enthusiast, I have noticed that thickness of metal/ build quality, does not seem to directly impact crash safety. My Kizashi's fenders bend a little easier than a Volkswagen Jetta would and while it is built well coming from the Sagara Plant and holding its own even against the likes of Accord, Camry, Superb, it still doesnt feel as well built as a Merc, Yet it is apparently safer if the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is to be believed. So yes the Swift does use thinner metal, but it has apparently done better than expected (I did read not as well as the Polo) But considering it used a gauge similar to an i10 (supposedly international car b eing exported from India) and has still fared better, leads me to believe that there is a LOT more to safety than is commonly thought of.

I did state that I was disappointed that it was not up to its international standards and I guess I knew that would be the case.

[namit]

The next step Siddharth should take is to demonstrate us Indians which is the safest of the lot and disappointingly he has not got it tested as yet.
Its the FIAT PUNTO and i am sure even without the airbags its structural integrity will remain intact and it shall fair better than the German and the American rival too.

[blacksport]

Originally Posted by IshaanIan

In my limited experience as an auto enthusiast, I have noticed that thickness of metal/ build quality, does not seem to directly impact crash safety. My Kizashi's fenders bend a little easier than a Volkswagen Jetta would and while it is built well coming from the Sagara Plant and holding its own even against the likes of Accord, Camry, Superb, it still doesnt feel as well built as a Merc, Yet it is apparently safer if the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is to be believed. So yes the Swift does use thinner metal, but it has apparently done better than expected (I did read not as well as the Polo) But considering it used a gauge similar to an i10 (supposedly international car b eing exported from India) and has still fared better, leads me to believe that there is a LOT more to safety than is commonly thought of.

I did state that I was disappointed that it was not up to its international standards and I guess I knew that would be the case.

It is not fair to bring kizashi to the comparison. That's because kizashis sold here are not built in India. The rest of the marutis are all de-engineered to suit the Indian market. Sure Swift might be safer than other marutis but I would look towards a polo or a punto or even an i20 if I wanted a safe car, but not a Swift.

[IshaanIan]

Originally Posted by blacksport

It is not fair to bring kizashi to the comparison. That's because kizashis sold here are not built in India. The rest of the marutis are all de-engineered to suit the Indian market. Sure Swift might be safer than other marutis but I would look towards a polo or a punto or even an i20 if I wanted a safe car, but not a Swift.

You seem to be missing the point I am making. Yes the Polo, Punto and even Micra ought to be safer. Not arguing with that. Still have my doubts about the i20 though. I am not praising the Swift in this aspect at all; merely taking it as an example: Its metal body is just about as flimsy/thin as the i10 (which is something we export too) yet it has scored far better in terms of structural safety. This really isn't any Swift vs i10 or brand vs brand thing I'm bringing up. Merely my curiosity So if that is the case, then there ought to be more factors to structural safety than just the build quality and gauge of metal used. No? What could those be?

[volkman10]

Here it is not about band loyalty, in which the discussion is tending to go, but seeing where our cars stand in the Global NCAP safety rating.
But here we should appreciate Maruti in having a common build in India and Latin market for which this test is being done.

[shashank.nk]

I don't think we should be debating how Swift is unsafe compared to competition,despite the ncap ratings. Whether its a Polo or a Swift,both fare very badly when crash tested without airbags, so whether its a VW or a "tin can" maruti they're both unsafe without safety aids.

What is encouraging however is VW making airbags standard across the Polo range and Swift not scoring as bad as the skeptics would have loved it to. I do think it is a step in the right direction for Maruti, from making death boxes on wheels to relatively safer cars almost upto european standards.

PS: The Swift gets EBD, Brake Assist (BA) and seatbelts with pretensioners and loadlimiters in the 'Z' trims. None of which are available in a Indian Polo! Source: Respective car brochures.

[shk 8896]

I have a doubt
Why was Swift ZXi chosen for the global NCAP crash safety test? While most of the other cars tested were lower variants chosen without any safety features (Polo Comfortline , Figo ZXI , I10 Magna IIRC), the Swift chosen is fully loaded with safety features.

[volkman10]

Originally Posted by shk 8896

I have a doubt
Why was Swift ZXi chosen for the global NCAP crash safety test? While most of the other cars tested were lower variants chosen without any safety features (Polo Comfortline , Figo ZXI , I10 Magna IIRC), the Swift chosen is fully loaded with safety features.

I am repeating again. Since this test is done for the NCAP rating of Latin American market which is the standard configuration there the ZXI was chosen. And also to be noted it is an Indian build Swift which was tested.

[CARDEEP]

Originally Posted by shk 8896

I have a doubt
Why was Swift ZXi chosen for the global NCAP crash safety test? While most of the other cars tested were lower variants chosen without any safety features (Polo Comfortline , Figo ZXI , I10 Magna IIRC), the Swift chosen is fully loaded with safety features.

Originally Posted by volkman10

I am repeating again. Since this test is done for the NCAP rating of Latin American market which is the standard configuration there the ZXI was chosen. And also to be noted it is an Indian build Swift which was tested.

with @volkman10, the choice of variant lies in the purpose of the test, which in case of Swift is to determine the maximum possible safety ratings the car can achieve.

The original test of the Nano, Alto, Figo, i10 & Polo, was conducted to highlight the lack of safety standards in our country so as to put bit pressure on the government to introduce basic safety standards as a norm for all cars, which are almost NIL at the moment.

[vnabhi]

Originally Posted by shk 8896

I have a doubt
Why was Swift ZXi chosen for the global NCAP crash safety test? While most of the other cars tested were lower variants chosen without any safety features (Polo Comfortline , Figo ZXI , I10 Magna IIRC), the Swift chosen is fully loaded with safety features.

Good question.

Originally Posted by volkman10

I am repeating again. Since this test is done for the NCAP rating of Latin American market which is the standard configuration there the ZXI was chosen.

Makes sense, but they ought to have separated Latin American tests from tests relevant for India. Otherwise it is not a level playing ground.

[volkman10]

Originally Posted by vnabhi

Makes sense, but they ought to have separated Latin American tests from tests relevant for India. Otherwise it is not a level playing ground.

Swift in the configuration without airbags will anyhow get Zero NCAP safety rating, here we will get to know of the structural rigidity of the car and the ZXI will get the same as the tested car.

[volkman10]

The 2014 India built Swift on test,

http://www.ndtv.com/video/player/cnb...h-swift/313548


Cheers,