VW ‘Up!’ Joins Latin NCAP’s Growing ‘Five Star’ Club Of Safer Cars For Adult Occupant Protection

The Volkswagen up! (manufactured in Brazil) has joined Latin NCAP’s growing club of ‘five star’ models having achieved the maximum possible rating of five stars in adult occupant safety and the highest rating in child occupant safety of four stars. Latin NCAP awarded the coveted five star rating to the VW’s ‘up!’ after testing the car in two crash test formats; the frontal impact test at 64 kph and side impact test at 50 kph. The car’s good performance in child occupant protection was assisted by the standard fitment of the ISOFIX child restraint system, top tethers and anchorages. Taken together, the five and four star ratings for adult and child occupants achieved by the ‘up!’ are the best combined results reached thus far by Latin NCAP.

María Fernanda Rodríguez, President of Latin NCAP: “Latin NCAP is delighted to see a compact car achieve the much valued five star status. It shows that good performance in safety is not just a luxury but is perfectly possible in small and affordable cars intended for the mass market. The child occupant protection score also shows encouraging progress and highlights the importance of the availability of ISOFIX child seats, which are safer and much easier for parents to use.”

Latin NCAP also released the improved performance results of the Renault Clio Mio (made in Argentina) which just achieved three stars for adult occupant rating. Previous test results published in July of last year gave the vehicle zero stars in adult occupant safety and one star in child occupant safety. In response to this disappointing result Renault improved the car and sponsored a new test of the same model. The Clio Mio is now equipped with two frontal airbags as standard in all versions, and a reinforcement in the front doors has also been added as of mid January 2014.

Alejandro Furas Global NCAP Technical Director: “Latin NCAP is pleased that Renault has acted swiftly to improve the safety performance of the Clio Mio after its disappointing zero star result last year. Their structural upgrades and the equipment of airbags were key in earning the Clio Mio a three star rating for Adult Occupant Safety. Renault’s action demonstrates the effectiveness of Latin NCAP in raising levels of safety in cars sold in the region and shows the positive benefit of co-operation with vehicle manufacturers.”