ANCAP: Magna stays on three stars

AUSTRALIA is still to build a five-star crash test rated car, according to the latest results released by ANCAP, the Australian New Car Assessment Program.

The latest candidate tested was the TL Mitsubishi Magna, on sale last July, which was unable to improve its ANCAP crash test score beyond the old TJ model’s three stars.

That’s despite being the only locally manufactured car available standard with side airbags, as well as having front and side impact protection improvements courtesy of a series of body and panel strengthening measures for this model.

The Magna was tested in October, after missing a round of large car testing earlier this year because it was on the cusp of replacement.

That round of testing saw the latest generation VY Holden Commodore, BA Ford Falcon and the 380N Toyota Camry make the jump from three to four stars.

Previously, no Australian large car had been able to score better than three stars. A five-star score is the best that can be achieved under ANCAP.

The TL is not alone on three stars, joined there by the Toyota Avalon, although that car has just been updated to Series III guise.

Crash-test procedures involve an off-set frontal test at 64km/h, a side impact test at 50km/h and a pedestrian test, which indicates likely injuries to pedestrians hit by a test vehicle travelling at 40km/h.

The pedestrian test is rated separately, with the Camry, Magna and Falcon earning one star out of a possible four, while the Commodore is a zero and the Avalon has not been tested.

The tests are conducted with the financial support of a consortium of motoring clubs and government bodies. Car companies have no involvement with the tests and are officially opposed to them.

"Three of the Australian-manufactured large cars scored four stars and have achieved similar scores to several European models that are sold here as luxury models," said RACV chief engineer (vehicles) Michale Case.

Among those four-star foreigners were the Citroen C5, Audi A4, VW Passat, Rover 75, Volvo S80, Honda Accord Euro, Volvo S60, Jaguar X-Type and BMW 3 Series. The Peugeot 406 scored only three stars. All these vehicles were tested in left-hand drive guise by Euro NCAP.

But the star remains the Renault Laguna, which is the sole five-star performer in the category.

"The … Laguna … remains the leader … due to the inclusion of head protection airbags on their volume selling models," Mr Case said.

"At present two of the locally produced vehicles offer a side and head protection airbag as an option, and only the Magna has a side airbag as standard equipment.

"With the increasing incidence of side impacts with poles and large vehicles like four-wheel drives, where head impacts are common, the inclusion of head protection for front and rear passengers is of great importance to reduce the risk of head and brain injuries.

"The cost of comprehensive occupant protection is reducing, with the top-scoring Laguna having a recommended retail price of $40,000 – similar to the price of a Holden Commodore Berlina."