For the first time in Europe, comprehensive consumer information on the crash performance of cars has been made available to the public, through the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP). Cars have been tested in full scale offset frontal and side impacts and the aggressivity of the car front to pedestrians has been assessed. The test procedures used are based on those developed, by the European Enhanced Vehicle-safety Committee, for legislation in Europe. In order to show how well the car and the recommended child restraints work together, restrained child dummies were seated in the rear of the car, in both the frontal and side impact tests. An assessment protocol has been developed to provide an objective evaluation of the protection provided by the cars. The assessment protocol uses occupant trajectory, vehicle deformation and inspection data, in addition to the dummy instrumentation data, to provide an evaluation of the protection provided by the car for a range of occupant sizes. This paper outlines the objectives of Euro NCAP and gives details of the test and assessment procedures used. Test results for the completed phases are presented along with the ratings for occupant and pedestrian protection. (A)
Abstract