Three Stars For Volkswagen Suran/Fox

The New Car Assessment Programme for Latin America and the Caribbean, Latin NCAP, first result of 2019 was released today with an average three star result for the long lasting model Volkswagen Suran/Fox.

The Volkswagen Suran/Fox, produced in Argentina (until March 2019) and in Brazil, just managed to achieve three stars for Adult Occupant Protection and three stars for Child Occupant Protection. The Volkswagen Fox was tested in 2015 under the previous protocol scoring four stars for adults and two stars for child occupant safety. As Latin NCAP did with other models in the past, the Suran also known as Spacefox, was assessed in a side impact scenario under the latest and more demanding protocols of Latin NCAP.

Although the Suran/Fox showed high intrusion in the side impact the dummy readings in the chest just managed to keep the necessary score to just achieve a three stars result. The seat side structure together with energy absorption elements in the door and seat helped the dummy to keep the critical biomechanical values below the maximum allowed limits. The Suran/Fox has now standard ISOFIX anchorages as standard but still offers 2 points seatbelt in the rear centre position and ISOFIX marking is still not meeting Latin NCAP requirements.

The car does not offer standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC), a technology which should be standard in 2019. Latin NCAP strongly recommends to only consider buying cars with ESC.

Alejandro Furas, Secretary General of Latin NCAP said:

“As we enter the 10th phase of Latin NCAP we find unacceptable that in 2019 popular cars yet do not offer standard ESC, standard 3 points seatbelts in all positions, pedestrian protection, front and side occupant protection among other relevant safety features. Volkswagen has proved their strong five stars policy for new models, which we encourage to expand to all model range soon at the same time that we encourage all car manufacturers to follow this kind of policy.

Latin NCAP showed its capacity to pull the market for better safety way beyond governmental requirements and much earlier. If by only testing a few models from the large amount available caused the evident positive effect, testing more models will push for the improvement of the whole fleet faster than government regulations and in a voluntary basis. Time has come for governments to support and get involved in Latin NCAP like other governments do in other NCAPs worldwide to improve consumers information and accelerate the market change”.

Ricardo Morales Rubio, Chairman of the Board of Directors said:

“Latin NCAP starts the year with an average result, since Volkswagen has a strong strategy in terms of vehicle safety as it is offering new models with the highest ratings. This is a clear example that when talking about vehicle safety consumers should not stereotype by brand or origin of the models. The only way to know the safety performance of a car is by assessing the vehicle in order to objectively inform consumers. Governments should commit to endorse Latin NCAP´s work, promoting and supporting the expansion of our tests, ensuring the sustainability of them and becoming an active part of the program aiming to save lives and reduce injuries in Latin America and the Caribbean”

The second round of Latin NCAP 2019 results will be released by the end of March.

Volkswagen Suran / Fox
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Watch the crash test video
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About Latin NCAP

The Latin New Car Assessment Programme (Latin NCAP) was launched in 2010 to develop a regional system of independent crashworthiness and safety rating across Latin America and Caribbean (LAC). Latin NCAP replicates similar consumer testing programmes developed over the last thirty years in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia, and which have proved to be very effective in improving the safety of motor vehicles. Since 2010 Latin NCAP has published the results of more than one hounded cars, all results available at www.latinncap.com/results.

Latin NCAP acknowledges the support received by the Global New Car Assessment Programme (Global NCAP), International Consumer Research and Testing (ICRT), FIA Foundation, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Road Safety Initiative.

Latin NCAP is an Associate member of Global NCAP and supports the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 and the Stop the Crash Partnership.

More info: www.latinncap.com