Top safety rating for A6, Ampera and Jetta

Sep 7, 2011, 4:06 GMT

Brussels - In the latest Euro NCAP crash test some ten vehicles from different categories were tested with the Audi A6, Opel Ampera, BMW X3 and VW Jetta among the cars given top marks while the Kia Picanto was given a lower four-star rating.

Other top five-star scorers were the Chevrolet Aveo, Chevrolet Orlando, the Citroen DS5, the Hyundai i40 and the VW Golf Cabriolet.

Testers gave the Kia Picanto only a four-star rating because it is not fitted with Electronic Stability Control (ESP) as standard across the model range. The technology is mandatory for all new cars in Europe as from next year.

Some of the tested vehicles scored high for child occupant protection. The Hyundai i40 and both the VW Jetta and Golf Cabriolet were rated with 86 per cent.

However, the Euro NCAP said some of the cars tested just managed the five star rating for pedestrian safety with more stringent requirements coming into effect in 2012. The Opel Ampera, Audi A6 and Citroen DS5 only just managed the five-star requirement for this year.

Euro NCAP said it was encouraged to see important advanced safety systems being offered to consumers on more and more models. The Citroen DS5 was lauded for the Localized Emergency Call and the BMW X3 for the Advanced eCall. These systems automatically notify emergency services providing critical details of a crash event.