[volkman10]

Zero stars for Renault New Duster and Suzuki Swift

The New Car Assessment Programme for Latin America and the Caribbean, Latin NCAP, latest results were released today with very disappointing zero stars for the Renault New Duster and Suzuki Swift.

Latin NCAP calls for urgent improvements. The Renault Duster, produced in Latin America and Romania, with double airbags and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) as standard, achieved zero stars under Latin NCAP’s latest protocol.
The popular SUV achieved 29.47% in Adult Occupant box, 22.93% in Child Occupant box, 50.79% in Pedestrian Protection and Vulnerable Road Users box and 34.88% in Safety Assist box.The New Duster for Latin America does not offer side body and side head protection airbags as standard like the model sold in Europe under Dacia brand. In the frontal impact the model showed unstable structure performance and a fuel leakage. Side impact test showed high intrusion of the B-pillar and an open door during the test. Door opening in Latin NCAP side impact test, which has same configuration as Regulation UN95, means that the car would have failed the UN95 test. The fuel leak recorded in the frontal crash test needs further action from Renault, not just to solve the problem in production but to recall all the units sold in the market that potentially have this problem in the fuel tank in a crash. In the same line the door opening in the side impact requires immediate action by Renault as it poses a serious risks of ejection in the case of side impacts.

The Suzuki Swift made in India and Japan, with two airbags as standard achieved zero stars. The popular compact car achieved 15.53% in Adult Occupant box, 0% in Child Occupant box, 66.07% in Pedestrian Protection and Vulnerable Road Users box and 6.98% in Safety Assist box.
The result is valid for the hatchback and sedan versions.

Renault Duster:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTBW814j3c4

Suzuki Swift :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7cuHjrVwBk

Source: LATIN NCAP

[Beelzebub]

The New Car Assessment Programme for Latin America and the Caribbean, Latin NCAP, latest results were released today with very disappointing zero stars for the Renault New Duster and Suzuki Swift. Latin NCAP calls for urgent improvements.

The Renault Duster, produced in Latin America and Romania, with double airbags and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) as standard, achieved zero stars under Latin NCAP’s latest protocol. The popular SUV achieved 29.47% in Adult Occupant box, 22.93% in Child Occupant box, 50.79% in Pedestrian Protection and Vulnerable Road Users box and 34.88% in Safety Assist box.

The New Duster for Latin America does not offer side body and side head protection airbags as standard like the model sold in Europe under Dacia brand. In the frontal impact the model showed unstable structure performance and a fuel leakage. Side impact test showed high intrusion of the B-pillar and an open door during the test. Door opening in Latin NCAP side impact test, which has same configuration as Regulation UN95, means that the car would have failed the UN95 test. The fuel leak recorded in the frontal crash test needs further action from Renault, not just to solve the problem in production but to recall all the units sold in the market that potentially have this problem in the fuel tank in a crash. In the same line the door opening in the side impact requires immediate action by Renault as it poses a serious risks of ejection in the case of side impacts.

The Suzuki Swift made in India and Japan, with two airbags as standard achieved zero stars. The popular compact car achieved 15.53% in Adult Occupant box, 0% in Child Occupant box, 66.07% in Pedestrian Protection and Vulnerable Road Users box and 6.98% in Safety Assist box. The result is valid for the hatchback and sedan versions.

The zero stars result is explained by the poor side impact protection and an open door during the test and low whiplash score due to the lack of UN32 prove for rear impact test. Moreover, the result is explained by the lack of standard side head protection airbags, lack of standard ESC and the decision of Suzuki of not recommending CRS for the test. This model would not pass Regulation UN95 requirements due to door opening. The Swift is sold in Europe with 6 airbags and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) as standard, while the model in Latin America is not offered with side body and head airbags and ESC as standard. The Latin American version of the Swift still offers standard a lap belt in the rear centre seating position despite the well-known high injuries risks of its use.

Alejandro Furas, Secretary General of Latin NCAP said:
“It is disappointing and upsetting such poor safety performances offered by Renault and Suzuki to Latin American consumers. Latin NCAP calls and encourages Renault and Suzuki to dramatically improve these models standard safety very soon. Latin American consumers are forced to pay more than the basic price to get to the same safety specs that Renault/Dacia and Suzuki offer as standard in markets like Europe and in some cases they are not even available in Latin America and the Caribbean. Basic vehicle safety, which is standard in mature economies markets, is a right that Latin American consumers should claim without having to pay extra for them. These safety features act like vaccines for one of the most severe pandemics like road traffic injuries and fatalities. Consumers have the right to receive the same vaccine supplied anywhere else without having to pay more for it”.

Stephan Brodziak, Latin NCAP Chairman said:
“Sadly, we see very bad results for two vehicles that are highly marketed in our region. Once again we see betrayed the trust that consumers place in certain manufacturers. It is very discriminating that, after more than 10 years of evaluating the safety performance of vehicles marketed in Latin America and the Caribbean, we continue to see 0-star cars. In terms of vehicle safety, we are still treated as second-class citizens just so that some manufacturers can save money on vehicle production. The money these manufacturers save translates into fatalities and serious injuries that impact families and the economy of our region. Latin America doesn’t deserve more 0-star cars, enough of low-safety cars”.

Suzuki Swift:
The Swift was tested in frontal impact and side impact, whiplash and pedestrian protection. The zero stars result is explained by the poor side impact protection and an open door during the test, lack of UN32 rear impact test leading to low whiplash score, lack of standard side head protection airbags, lack of standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and the decision of Suzuki of not recommending Child Restraint Systems (CRS) for the test. Pedestrian protection performance showed a reasonable level. This car would not pass regulation UN95 requirements due to door opening.

Crash Test Video

Renault New Duster:
The New Duster was tested in frontal impact and side impact, whiplash and pedestrian protection as well as Electronic Stability Control (ESC). In the Frontal impact the model showed unstable structure performance and a fuel leak. Side impact test showed high intrusion of the B-pillar and an open door during the test. In the potential scenario of a regulatory test under side impact regulation UN95 this car would fail because of the door opening. Whiplash test showed poor neck protection. Child occupant performance showed low score as both child dummies heads contacted the vehicle interior, the lack of permanent airbag warning marking for passenger airbag disconnection and poor ISOFIX marking. Child Restraint Systems (CRS) installation showed also a poor score. Pedestrian protection was acceptable. Safety assist showed ESC met regulatory requirements and performed well until 80 km/h in ADAC Moose test and only until 60km/h under the Consumer testing scenario.

Crash Test Video

Crash Test Pictures:

Suzuki Swift:























Renault New Duster:

















Source

[nagr22]

Originally Posted by Beelzebub

The Suzuki Swift made in India and Japan, with two airbags as standard achieved zero stars. The popular compact car achieved 15.53% in Adult Occupant box, 0% in Child Occupant box, 66.07% in Pedestrian Protection and Vulnerable Road Users box and 6.98% in Safety Assist box. The result is valid for the hatchback and sedan versions.

Except pedestrian protection score every other score is laughable! I remember reading somehwere that suzuki's light build offers better pedeatrian safety and it seems somewhat true. But 0% for child protection?? God I would never enter a Suzuki car again - even if it's a taxi.

[Goldenboy]

Not too surprised at the Swift but I thought it might get 1-2 stars. Astounded that the Duster fared so poorly! Wonder why Renault (a global automotive behemoth with some excellent engineers) didn't work on making the car get at least 4 stars in a crash test when they conceptualized it. As the officials have said, it clearly shows contempt for their customers in Latin America.

[Beelzebub]

Full crash test reports:

Suzuki Swift:












Renault Duster:












Full crash test reports in pdf format:

RenaultDuster_2Airbags_en.pdf

SuzukiSwift_2Airbags_en.pdf

[shortbread]

To understand the true potential of Suzuki cars, NCAP should introduce negative marking. Suzuki might achieve the world's first minus five star rated car.

[Ashdel]

https://www.carandbike.com/news/made...dtv_topstories

Its unfortunate however very true that most of the Maruti cars are "Tin Cans" with 0 or unacceptable ratings. I dont mean to not buy Suzuki cars in India, however atleast we BHPians can start driving some change with more "Safer Cars For India" and i am pretty sure people / companies will notice the change.

Happy and Safe Driving !!!

[CarNerd]

Originally Posted by shortbread

To understand the true potential of Suzuki cars, NCAP should introduce negative marking. Suzuki might achieve the world's first minus five star rated car.

Doesn't matter, they will still sell in millions. It is our way of life

At least we won't hear anyone ask "If not Suzuki, what else?"

[Carma2017]

Guys, I do think almost all Indian mass market cars would fare similarly in Latin NCAP testing under current protocols, even the much vaunted 5 star rated ones. In India, by just meeting Offset Deformable Barrier test at 64kph and regulatory compliance to basic Side Impact test at 50kph, one can get a 5 star if you have some equipment as standard like seat belt reminders for Front Driver and Co-passenger etc. Of course there are some other proofs required to be submitted, but rest assured the current starred vehicles would look similar to Duster mostly, +/-1 or 2 stars. The current Latin NCAP protocols are slated to be made mandatory for GNCAP in India from 2022 as per my understanding. The results would be even more fun to watch then. In any case, I have no respect for this organisation (GNCAP) as its stated goals, though noble, are an eyewash as to its actual goals. But that is a discussion for another time....

[fhdowntheline]

It appears to met that Latin NCAP have upgraded their standards, while India has not even yet publicly revealed its standards. We have auto makers appealing to the government to defer implementation of twin-airbag requirement till December-that tells the story as far as I am concerned!

[pradheepsr]

While the “tin cans” continue to sell like hot cakes,safety is still being ignored by leading manufacturers.
Are there any government regulations for this?
As far as iam aware there was a twin airbag regulation being imposed on all cars manufactured in India,whatever happened to that?
More than those deafening speed warning alarms at 80 and 120 kph,these are vital.
Some states have implemented the seatbelt rule,while some haven’t.There’s no uniformity in laws throughout the country.
To top all that driving on the wrong side of a dual carriageway has become the norm.
So much for “Safer cars for India”

[svsantosh]

They might as well discard the ABS/EBD/1-airbag mandatory per BS-6; and make car 50K Rs cheaper!

And/Or...!

They might as well compete with Pagani and make the car with Teflon (instead of Carbon fiber) for all I care, at least it will give 2-3Kmpl more.

[ss212]

Originally Posted by Carma2017

In any case, I have no respect for this organisation (GNCAP) as its stated goals, though noble, are an eyewash as to its actual goals. But that is a discussion for another time....

Could you throw more light on this? I know very little about it. Why is GNCAP not enough?

[superguy282]

Originally Posted by ss212

Could you throw more light on this? I know very little about it. Why is GNCAP not enough?

I don't exactly know what he implied, However GNCAP not being enough or it not being the final word on safety is to an extent true. The tests conducted (atleast for India) do not provide a comprehensive crash rating and focus only on frontal collision simply because that's what causes relatively more deaths globally. Now it won't be practical to account for each and every accident scenario as they are infinite, but there still is a considerable gap between NCAP safety and real world safety atleast in case of India. Testing agencies like EuroNCAP or even the IIHS do conduct considerably more number of tests which gives much more credibility to their rating, but then again exceptions will always exist. Worst part is, GNCAP scores or any agencies score for that matter assume good/average road conditions, all seatbelts being worn, and the car being in good shape which itself disconnects it from the ground reality here.

[ron178]

Originally Posted by superguy282

The tests conducted (atleast for India) do not provide a comprehensive crash rating and focus only on frontal collision simply because that's what causes relatively more deaths globally.

Their current protocol is more suited to developing markets where regulation has not been applied. And that was exactly what India was in 2014 when the #SaferCarsForIndia program started. They would have updated their protocol already, but we still have some 0 and 1-star cars, and the SaferCarsForIndia program doesn't get a lot of funding anyway. They have made 5-star requirements fairly demanding so manufacturers can't simply focus on the frontal collision and bag the fifth star. The jump from 4 to 5 stars is far harder than that from 3 to 4 stars (it has to pass UNECE 95 side impact regulation, have 4-channel ABS and should have a perfect score for seatbelt reminders). But they're planning to update the protocol next year.

Regarding these results, I would advise people to take them with a pinch of salt. The test protocol is itself far more demanding and the cars are left-hand drive (one isn't even sold here). The Indian Swift's 2-star Global NCAP rating still holds, although that isn't great either. It's a nice news article to read for those of us interested in crash tests, but it doesn't mean anything to the Indian market.

More than the zero-stars I find it alarming that the cars didn't meet UN95 regulation for side impact, I had always assumed that it would be a fairly easy test to pass.