India’s most popular hatchback car models have been failed in the independent Car Safety Crash Tests conducted by London car-safety watchdog Global NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme).
The five small cars tested were the Tata Nano, Maruti Suzuki Alto 800, Hyundai i10, Ford Figo and Volkswagen Polo. The most basic or entry-level version was selected for the testing and the all cars were made-in-India models only, without airbags.
The Ford Figo and Volkswagen Polo showed good structural and safer cabin, while the other smaller cars models: Tata Nano, Maruti Suzuki Alto 800, Hyundai i10 performed badly in test.
The results are an indictment of the auto industry in India, which lacks adequate safety standards, said David Ward, head of the London car-safety watchdog Global NCAP, which performed the crash tests. India has some of the deadliest roads in the world.
There were two tests carried out on identical cars of the same make – meaning two of each car were procured by Global NCAP from Indian showrooms, and shipped to Germany for the tests. One crash test was performed at 56 kmph, the other at 64 kmph.
Suzuki-Maruti Alto 800:
In the 64km/h NCAP test: the Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 achieved a zero-star rating for its adult occupant protection.
The vehicle structure was rated as unstable, increasing the risk of life-threatening injuries and making the car unsuitable for the fitment of airbags.
Using the child seats recommended by Suzuki-Maruti, the Alto 800 achieved a two-star rating for child protection.
The Alto 800 was not able to meet the UN’s minimum safety requirements in the 56km/h crash test.
Tata Nano:
In the 64km/h NCAP test, the Tata Nano achieved zero stars rating for its adult occupant protection.
The vehicle structure was rated as unstable, increasing the risk of life-threatening injuries and making the car unsuitable for the fitment of airbags.
The car achieved a zero-star rating for its child protection as it was not possible to install child seats in the car.
The Nano was not able to meet the UN’s minimum safety requirements in the 56km/h crash test.
Hyundai i10:
In the 64km/h NCAP test, the Hyundai i10 achieved a zero-star rating for its adult occupant protection.
The vehicle structure was rated as unstable, increasing the risk of life-threatening injuries.
Using the child seats recommended by Hyundai, the i10 achieved a one-star rating for child protection.
The three year-old dummy indicated a high risk of serious injury.
The i10 was not able to meet the UN’s minimum safety requirements in the 56km/h crash test.
Ford Figo:
In the 64km/h NCAP test, the Ford Figo achieved a zero-star rating for its adult occupant protection.
The vehicle structure was rated as stable, but without safety equipment such as airbags, too much of the crash energy was absorbed directly by the occupants.
Using the child seats recommended by Ford, the car achieved a two-star rating for its child protection.
The Figo was able to meet the UN’s minimum safety requirements in the 56km/h crash test as the driver’s head narrowly avoided direct contact with the steering wheel.
Volkswagen Polo:
In the 64km/h NCAP test, the Volkswagen Polo without airbags achieved a zero-star rating for its adult occupant protection.
The vehicle structure was stable, but without safety equipment such as airbags, dummy readings indicated a high risk of life-threatening injuries.
Polo with two airbags (Driver and Front Passenger), achieved a four-star rating for adult occupant protection in the 64km/h NCAP test. Thanks to the airbags, the protection offered to the driver and passenger head and neck was good.
Using the child seats recommended by Volkswagen, the Polo achieved a three-star rating for child protection.
Without airbags, the Polo was not able to meet the UN’s minimum safety requirements in the 56km/h crash test.
Global NCAP advises consumers to check carefully which version of the Polo they buy.