Citroën first vehicle to score top marks

15 August 2006

Citroën first vehicle to score top marks in pedestrian safety test

The Citroën C6 is the first vehicle ever to achieve the maximum four star pedestrian protection rating in the latest crash test results released in New Zealand today by Land Transport NZ and the AA.

Land Transport NZ Vehicles Manager John White said it was pleasing to see manufacturers starting to design vehicles with the safety of all road users in mind.

"Several vehicles have recently scored three out of four stars in pedestrian safety tests, but too many vehicles still score poorly in this category. It's exciting to see the first four star result, and it's good news for pedestrians. The fact that the C6 also scored five out five stars for occupant protection shows that driver and passenger safety doesn't have to come at the expense of those outside the vehicle."

Crash tests conducted by the Australian New Car Assessment Programme (ANCAP) and the European equivalent EuroNCAP calculate occupant protection ratings using a frontal impact test at 64 km/h, a side impact test at 50 km/h, and an optional pole test where the vehicle strikes a pole lined up with the driver's head at 29km/h.

The pedestrian protection rating is calculated with a separate series of tests simulating collisions with adult and child pedestrians at 40km/h to assess likely injuries in a collision.

The C6 is equipped with an advanced system that elevates the bonnet when an impact is detected, providing protection to pedestrians on impact.

Other pedestrian impact results released today include the Fiat Punto (three stars), VW Passat (two stars), Nissan Tiida (two stars), Hyundai Tucson 4WD (one star) and the Toyota HiAce van (one star). In occupant protection ratings the Punto scored five stars, the Passat, Tucson and Tiida four stars, and the HiAce three stars.

General Manager of AA Technical Services Stella Stocks said the four star occupant protection result for the Nissan Tiida was an improvement on the three stars scored by its predecessor, the Pulsar.

Land Transport NZ and the AA also encourage new vehicle buyers to specify vehicles with Electronic Stability Control, which helps drivers maintain control of their vehicles and has been shown in overseas research to substantially reduce the risk of being involved in a crash.

ANCAP is supported by all Australian and New Zealand motoring clubs, all State governments, the New Zealand government and the FIA Foundation. Land Transport NZ and the AA are both members of ANCAP. Detailed crash test results are available on the websites of both organisations - www.landtransport.govt.nz or www.aa.co.nz.

ENDS

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