Safety Goes Tata with Latest ANCAP Crash Test

NORTH STRATHFIELD, Australia, March 21 -- The NRMA Monitoring and Services issued the following news release:

New to the Australian market, the Tata Xenon 4x2 dual cab has received a poor 2-star ANCAP safety rating due to the lack of electronic stability control (ESC), the NRMA and Transport for NSW announced today.

Other models in the latest round of testing included the Toyota Kluger, Peugeot 2008, Citroen C4 Grand Picasso and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. All achieved the maximum 5-star ANCAP safety rating.

NRMA Motoring & Services vehicle safety expert Jack Haley said the Indian-made Xenon performed fairly well in the crash test, however the omission of the ESC lifesaving safety system resulted in a poor ANCAP rating of 2-stars.

"The Xenon also lacks side and curtain airbags; however Tata has advised ANCAP that an ESC-equipped Xenon will be launched later in the year," Mr Haley said.

"While ESC is not a requirement for light commercial vehicles, ANCAP introduced ESC as one of its mandatory requirements for 5-star ratings more than six years ago.

" Vehicles without ESC that are subject to ANCAP's rigorous testing will be penalised heavily. We urge all manufacturers to include it as standard on all models."

NSW Centre for Road Safety General Manager Marg Prendergast said the coming demise of local vehicle manufacturing meant more vehicles would hit our shores from a new range of countries.

"ANCAP will keep on top of these and ensure Australian motorists are being offered the safest cars possible," Ms Prendergast said.

"We do congratulate the four manufacturers whose modes received the coveted 5-star ANCAP rating in this round of testing including the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, which is a hybrid electric vehicle new to the market.

"While 5-star ratings are pleasing, pedestrian protection remains a concern and we have raised the bar in this area so it is more difficult to achieve a 5-star rating without a good pedestrian test result.

"The Toyota Kluger rated only Marginal for pedestrian protection, with the C4, Outlander and 2008 rating Acceptable. The Xenon has not yet been rated."

ANCAP is supported by all Australian and New Zealand motoring clubs, the Australian Government, the New Zealand Government, Australian state and territory governments, the Victorian Transport Accident Commission, NRMA Insurance and the FIA Foundation.

To search individual crash test results for over 475 vehicles visit www.mynrma.com.au/ancap and www.rms.nsw.gov.au.

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