Global NCAP Crash-Tests Slavia And Virtus
They outperformed their SUV siblings.
In October last year, Global NCAP awarded the Volkswagen Taigun and the Skoda Kushaq five-star safety ratings for adults and children. Now, we have the results for Volkswagen Virtus and Skoda Slavia. The sedans, built on the same platform as the SUVs mentioned above, have not just scored five stars for adults and children but outperformed their SUV siblings by a few decimal points. And yes, like with the Kushaq and Taigun, Global NCAP crash-tested the entry-level specimens of the sedans in question.
The Virtus and Slavia clocked 29.71 on a 34-point scale for adult safety and 42 on a 49-point scale for child occupants. For the saloons, the standard list of safety equipment comprises dual airbags, seatbelt pretensioners with load limiters for front occupants, ISOFIX anchorages on the outboard rear seats, seatbelt reminders for the front two passengers, three-point seatbelts in all seating positions and electronic stability control. The cars also meet GTR 0 and UN 127 pedestrian protection norms.
Global NCAP observed that the sedans provided between ‘good’ and ‘adequate’ protection to the adult occupants in the frontal crash scenario, save for the ‘marginal’ cover for the driver’s feet. Additionally, when crashed into a deformable barrier from the side, the Slavia and Virtus came out with ‘adequate’ and ‘good’ protection results for the driver. Lastly, when put through the side pole impact test, the subjects offered ‘good’ safety to the driver, with the chest getting a ‘marginal’ cover.
The sedans offered ‘good’ protection for child occupants, tested using dummies of a three-year-old and an 18-month-old. Global NCAP says that the CRSs (Child Restraint Systems) performed well, although the ability to disconnect the front passenger-side airbag would be ideal. That way, a rearward-facing CRS can be installed without worry.
As you go up the trim tree of both the cars – the Skoda Slavia and the Volkswagen Virtus – the safety kit improves further. It includes six airbags, a rear-view camera, a tyre pressure monitoring system, rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlamps. With those included, the cars will offer even better protection to the occupants.
Kudos to Skoda Auto Volkswagen India for integrating safety at the heart of their heavily-localised models. Perhaps, this development is something that more established players in India look up to and make safer cars for the masses.
Here, check out the crash-test video released by Global NCAP:
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