Peugeot on top in crash tests

PEUGEOT'S 307 has topped the latest round of Australian New Car Assessment Program independent crash testing, which has highlighted a continuing improvement in small car safety levels.

The 307, which scored four out of a possible five stars, was one of six cars tested for the latest update.

Other additions were the Toyota Corolla, which also scored four stars, the Alfa Romeo 147 and Hyundai Elantra that each scored three stars and the outgoing Mazda 121 and Mitsubishi Lancer, each with two stars.

The Peugeot, which went on sale in Australia in late 2001, has dual front, side and curtain airbags as standard equipment. It supplants the Toyota Echo at the top of the small car list, with the Holden Barina and Subaru Impreza also ahead of the Corolla.

The Corolla and 121 were tested in Australia while the other four were tested in left-hand drive form by Euro NCAP, with which ANCAP shares its testing regime.

The cars were subjected to a 64km/h off-set deformable barrier test, 50km/h side impact test and, dependent on meeting the testing criteria, offered an optional 29km/h pole test. These results are combined to give each car a points tally and star rating.

The 307 scored 29.6 out of a possible 34 points. The NCAP testers found the 307's passenger compartment remained intact during the off-set test, with only a slight risk of serious chest and lower leg injury for the driver and a slight risk of serious head and chest injury for the passenger.

It scored a perfect 16 points in the side impact test and the maximum two points in the pole test, for which it was eligible because it was fitted with head-protecting curtain airbags and did so well in the side impact test.

The Corolla five-door scored 27.32 points, but was crucially ineligible for the pole test because it was not available with curtain airbags.

The latest update means there are now 12 small cars that have obtained four stars.

Since the first small car test in 1994 the use of airbags had grown dramatically with 22 out of 23 cars now fitted with a driver airbag, 14 have a front passenger airbag, six side airbags and two have curtain airbags.

"New car buyers now have a choice of good small vehicles with high levels of occupant protection and good crash test ratings," said RACV chief engineer Michael Case.

"Deciding on a vehicle with more safety equipment and design features could save their life or the life of a family member. Buyers should let new vehicle sales staff know that safety is an important part of their purchasing decision."A separate pedestrian impact test is conducted by ANCAP at 40km/h, with the 121 claiming three out of four stars to lead the way among the latest additions. But it could not surpass the Honda Civic, which continues to lead this category ahead of the Ford Laser.

ANCAP crash testing is a joint government/automobile association program. But it does not have the support of the manufacturers umbrella group, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, which argues accurate data cannot be drawn from testing only one or two samples of each car.

But Renault Australia decided to ignore an FCAI gentlemen's agreement and publicised the five-star result of its mid-size Laguna when it launched the car here in March.

ANCAP crash test results (out of 5 stars):4 stars
Peugeot 307
Toyota Echo
Holden Barina
Subaru Impreza
Toyota Corolla
Mercedes-Benz A-class
Honda Civic
VW Beetle
Audi A3
Holden Astra
Peugeot 206
VW Golf3 stars
Daihatsu Sirion
Hyundai Accent
Alfa Romeo 147
Hyundai Elantra
Kia Rio
Ford Laser2 stars
Nissan Pulsar
Mazda 121
Mitsubishi Lancer
Daewoo Nubira1 star
Daewoo LanosPedestrian tests (out of 4 stars):3 stars
Honda Civic
Ford Laser
Mazda 121
Nissan Pulsar2 stars
Alfa Romeo 147
VW Golf
Hyundai Elantra
Mitsubishi Lancer
Subaru Impreza
Daihatsu Sirion
Peugeot 307
VW Beetle
Toyota Corolla
Daewoo Lanos
Kia Rio
Toyota Echo
Daewoo Nubira
Audi A3
Peugeot 206
Hyundai Accent1 star
Holden Barina
Holden AstraNo data
Mercedes-Benz A-class