Entries Tagged 'crash test' ↓

The Mazda3 (known as the Mazda Axela in Japan) with European specifications has been awarded the maximum five-star rating by the European New Car Assessment Programme*1 (Euro NCAP) in its 2009 combined safety performance test.

From 2009, Euro NCAP has implemented a new evaluation system that awards a single overall vehicle safety rating that combines the scores achieved in four areas of assessment: Adult Occupant Protection, Child Protection, Pedestrian Protection and Safety Assist.

The Mazda3 inherits and evolves the first generation model’s combination of dynamic, sporty styling and exhilarating driving performance. With this maximum safety rating from Euro NCAP as well as its recognition as a 2009 Top Safety Pick from the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)*2, Mazda3 is among the safest cars in the world.

Mazda3 is the second Mazda model to be awarded the maximum five-star rating under the new Euro NCAP evaluation system. The Mazda6 (Mazda Atenza) with European specifications received five stars in February 2009. Mazda models in Europe that received the highest possible five stars for Adult Occupant Protection under the previous Euro NCAP rating system include the Mazda5 (Mazda Premacy) in September 2005 and the Mazda2 (Mazda Demio) in December 2007.

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. today announced that it will display the Toyota FT-EV concept on opening Media Day at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), confirming its plan to launch an urban commuter battery-electric vehicle (BEV) by 2012. This announcement, coupled with its compressed natural gas powered Camry Hybrid concept display at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show, signal Toyota’s intention to broaden the scope of its advanced alternative-fuel vehicle development.

“Now, more than ever, while we are so focused on the pressing issues of the moment, we cannot lose sight of our future,” said Irv Miller, TMS Group Vice President, Environmental and Public Affairs. “Nowhere is this more important than with our industry’s duty and commitment to provide true sustainable mobility with vehicles that significantly reduce fuel consumption, our carbon footprint and overall greenhouse gases.” The FT-EV concept shares its platform with the revolutionary-new iQ urban commuter vehicle. Already a huge hit in Japan, the iQ is lightweight and seats four passengers in comfort and security, while delivering exceptional mileage, sporty performance, unique refinements and a fun, youthful image.

Toyota’s FT-EV concept imagines an urban dweller, driving up to 50 miles between home, work and other forms of public transportation, such as high-speed rail. Although, for now, the FT-EV remains a pure concept, it represents a natural pairing of product strategies. Continue reading →

TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) and Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd. (Daihatsu) announce today the nationwide launch of a seven-seater compact vehicle with three rows of seats that will be sold in Japan under the Toyota brand as the “Passo Sette”*1 and under the Daihatsu brand as the “Boon Luminas”*2. The roomy, user-friendly and stylish compacts are small enough to make handling easy and big enough to accommodate seven people. Featuring the driving-assistance features and comforts often favored by female drivers, the Passo Sette and Boon Luminas offer added flexibility for mothers with young children and help support active and exciting lifestyles.

For the Passo Sette and Boon Luminas, TMC and Daihatsu combined their product-planning know-how, with Daihatsu putting to use its extensive experience in compact vehicles to be in charge of development and production.  Daihatsu will supply the Passo Sette to TMC on an original equipment manufacturer basis. *1 Sette: Means seven in Italian, and refers to the seven seats in the Passo Sette *2 Luminas: A coinage drawing on the English words roomy and luminous.  The name is intended to evoke the image of a vehicle that provides new splendor to its occupants.

Monthly sales target for Japan: Toyota Passo Sette: 3,000 units

Daihatsu Boon Luminas: 500 units

Assembly Plant: Kyoto Plant, Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.

*Prices listed do not include recycling fees; prices in Hokkaido and Okinawa differ for the Passo Sette.  Prices in Hokkaido differ for the Boon Luminas. Vehicle Outline Roomy interior accommodates seven

• A compact body (length: 4,180mm*¹; width: 1,695mm; height: 1,620mm) allows for easy city driving, while the 2,750mm-long wheelbase makes possible an interior length of 2,550mm that provides a roomy interior.
• In addition to the ample 1,630mm*² between front- and rear-seat rows, the second-row seat features a 150mm*² split seat slide, with the floor in front of the third row of seats lowered to provide plenty of legroom.  This has created a roomy interior that accommodates five with room to spare and seven comfortably.

Superior ingress and egress

• The wide rear-door opening (935mm*²) facilitates ingress and egress to and from the third-row seats and easy handling of child seats.
• The 630mm*² hip point of the driver’s seat aides ingress and egress.

Ease of Driving

• Despite the long wheelbase, excellent handling comes with a 5.2m minimum turning radius.
• Quarter glass set forward of the driver- and front-passenger-side windows, together with the positioning of the side-view mirrors helps reduce front-diagonal blind spots and provides a broad field of vision.

Vehicle Dimensions

*1 Passo Sette S, S C package and Boon Luminas CX Aero trim are 4,195mm *2 Measurements by TMC Flexible seat arrangement and other features

• The second- and third-row seats easily fold down to create a large and flat luggage space.  A variety of seating arrangements can be used to match the number of passengers and the amount of luggage.

A comfortable and relaxing interior

• The bench front seat with a large armrest in the center creates the relaxed feeling of a sofa (standard on the Passo Sette G and G “C package” and the Boon Luminas CX and CX Aero).
• Effective use of interior space provides plenty of easy-to-access storage, including a driver’s side in-dash storage compartment and a zip-able pouch for holding a standard tissue box in the back of the passenger seat.
• The windshield features special infrared-blocking glass that helps to reduce discomfort caused by heat from the sun (standard on all models except the Passo Sette X and the Boon Luminas CL).  UV-blocking glass for the driver- and front-passenger-side windows and UV-blocking tinted glass for the rear-side windows and rear window comes standard on all models.
• An automatic air-conditioner has a pollen-removal mode (standard on the Passo Sette G and S and the Boon Luminas CX and CX Aero).

Amenities that make family outings more enjoyable

• A rear-seat entertainment system, with a seven-inch widescreen monitor, DVD player and headphone outputs, provides a rich audiovisual environment.  Use of this system allows different media to be played for the front and rear (second-row and third-row) passengers (manufacturer’s option on all models).
• A “Music Server” with CD player, AM/FM stereo, and in-built flash memory can store up to approximately 660 minutes of audio content from CD (manufacturer’s option on all Passo Sette models; standard on all Boon Luminas models).
• A “key free” electronic key system with an immobilizer function allows easy locking and unlocking of the vehicle’s doors, and comes with an engine switch knob for turning the engine on and off (standard on the Passo Sette G and S and the Boon Luminas CX and CX Aero) without use of a conventional key.

Driving support features that make driving more fun

• A guidance system for driving in reverse (manufacturer’s option on all models) gives spoken and visual guidance, calculates and displays the projected route graphically on screen, and a reverse-linked side-view mirror (front-passenger side) enhances visibility of the left-rear-wheel area, especially handy when reversing into a parking space (standard on all models except the Passo Sette X and the Boon Luminas CL and CX).
• An HDD navigation system (manufacturer’s option on all models) is compatible with the G-BOOK mX telematics service and is equipped with multi-media functions and other advanced functions such as Map on Demand, which provides automatic updates of maps with the latest information.

A Streamlined and Stylish Exterior and Refined Interior Exterior Design

• The front pillars extend forward to create a smooth, one-motion side silhouette, while the adoption of a concave design around the windows gives the cabin an expanded look.
• The front styling combines sharpness and familiarity and draws a three-dimensional line that flows from the hood down to the front bumper, to create a sense of vitality.
• The rear styling is accented by unique combination taillights, with the resulting wide-track image evoking stability.
• Available in nine colors* to suit personal preferences.

*One color is a manufacturer’s option. Interior Design

• The instrument panel is wide and rounded and its central positioning on the dashboard creates a sense of openness, while the high-quality surface produces an interior space with a special feel.
• The large, dual center gauge offers enhanced visibility, with the thick-acrylic garnish expressing a refined beauty (standard on the Passo Sette G and S and on the Boon Luminas CX and CX Aero).
• The two-tone interior (dark brown and beige-gray) and grade-specific seat color and coverings convey a sense of sophistication.

Models with Aerodynamic Trim Available (Passo Sette S, S C package, and Boon Luminas CX Aero)

• Adopted to pursue a powerful and aggressive design, aerodynamic parts create a bold silhouette for an even more refined image.
• Subdued colors produce a consistent and sporty interior.  Dark brown seat covers with a dot pattern convey a refined and cool image.

Advanced Safety Functions and Outstanding Cruising Performance Advanced Safety Functions

• A Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system, which monitors lateral traction on slippery road surfaces and automatically controls engine output and distribution of braking force, combines with Traction Control (TRC) that controls wheel spin when starting or accelerating on slippery road surfaces to maintain forward motion and vehicle stability (available as a manufacturer’s option on two-wheel drive Passo Sette models under the name “VSC & TRC”; available as a manufacturer’s option on two-wheel drive Boon Luminas models).
• A six-airbag system features Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) curtain shield airbags that cover all three rows of seats (the SRS side air bags for the driver’s and front-passenger’s seat and SRS curtain shield airbags are standard on all models except for the Passo Sette X* and available as a manufacturer’s option on all Boon Luminas models).
• Headrests for the driver’s seat and front-passenger seat reduce the risk of whiplash from a rear-end collision (standard on all Passo Sette models under the name Active Headrest; available as a manufacturer’s option on all Boon Luminas models under the name Dynamic Support Headrest).
• The vehicle body incorporates the omni-directional compatibility (collision safety) concept and meets the requirements of both Toyota’s GOA (Global Outstanding Assessment) and Daihatsu’s TAF (Total Advanced Function).
• The body has been designed to reduce pedestrian head injuries in the unfortunate event of a collision with a pedestrian.

*Available as a manufacturer’s option on the X Outstanding Cruising Performance

• The 1.5-liter 3SZ-VE engine and a four-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with a lockup mechanism provide excellent acceleration performance.

Engine Specifications

*Under the 10-15 Japanese test cycle, as certified by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

• The long wheelbase and wide track provide excellent cruising stability.
• Optimization of the engine mount position and placement of sound-absorbing and sound-blocking materials achieve quietness in the cabin that aids relaxed conversation.
• An Eco-Drive Indicator lights up to indicate fuel efficient driving.
• Toyota employed the Eco-Vehicle Assessment System (Eco-VAS), its original comprehensive environmental impact assessment system.  This includes setting environmental targets at the start of vehicle development to help reduce factors harmful to the environment by such means as the balanced reduction of CO2 emissions.
• A life-cycle assessment was carried out to achieve a reduction in air contaminants and CO2 from the vehicle throughout its life, from production and use to disposal.

Affordable Price Despite their roomy interior, three rows of seats, ability to accommodate seven occupants and full range of family-oriented functional features, the Passo Sette is priced from an affordable 1,490,000 yen (tax incl.; two-wheel-drive X) and the Boon Luminas is priced from 1,535,000 yen (tax incl.; two-wheel-drive CL).

Euro NCAP has released the results for some of Europe’s best-selling cars. This is the last time that Euro NCAP will release results under its current rating system, before the organisation’s new rating system is launched in February 2009. Of the twelve vehicles whose results are released today, eight received Euro NCAP’s maximum award of five stars.

Euro NCAP’s top scorers for adult occupant protection in this release were the Alfa Romeo Mito, Ford Fiesta, Peugeot 308CC, Volkswagen Golf VI, Renault Megane, Honda Accord, Opel Insignia and the Volvo XC60. Not all of these cars performed as well in child occupant or pedestrian protection.

Euro NCAP rated the Dacia Sandero fitted with the basic level of safety equipment and also crash tested the car equipped with the ‘safety pack’, which is standard on some variants and optional on others. The Sandero fitted with the basic level of equipment scored three stars in adult occupant protection whilst the car with the optional safety pack, scored the equivalent of four stars. Euro NCAP is disappointed that this pack is not offered as standard on all variants, given the additional safety it offers to adult occupants.

Following Euro NCAP’s first tests on pickups earlier this year, the organisation today also releases the result for another: the Ford Ranger. The vehicle received a two star rating for adult occupant protection, underlining the lack of emphasis given by most manufacturers to the safety of cars in this category.

Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General of Euro NCAP says ‘It is clear that Euro NCAP’s new rating scheme in 2009 will offer a more discriminating view of the overall safety performance of today’s best selling vehicles and give customers the opportunity to prioritise and maximise the safety options on their vehicles.’

The first results for vehicles tested under the new rating system will be released in February 2009.

Pick-up

Make and model		Adult	Child	Pedestrian	Compare
	Ford Ranger

Supermini

Make and model		Adult	Child	Pedestrian	Compare
	Alfa Romeo MiTo
	Dacia Sandero
	Ford Fiesta
	Ford Ka

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TOKYO, Japan, September 18, 2008 – Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced that it will begin using its new third generation pedestrian dummy, POLAR III, in vehicle-to-pedestrian crash tests before the end of this year, with the aim of reducing pedestrian lower back and upper leg injuries which are common in collisions between a pedestrian and a SUV or mini-van.

With POLAR III, the reproduction fidelity for the lower back and upper leg areas has been further improved enabling the evaluation of bone fractures in these areas in addition to the prior ability to evaluate injuries to knee ligaments and fractures to lower leg bones.

In 1998, Honda became the first in the world to develop a pedestrian crash test dummy to reproduce the human body’s kinematics during vehicle-to-pedestrian collisions, with the aim of identifying parts of the vehicle body most often resulting in injuries, and developing safety technologies to reduce pedestrian head injuries during the collision with a vehicle. In 2000, Honda broadened the scope of its effort to mitigate pedestrian injuries by developing the second generation pedestrian dummy, POLAR II, which improved reproduction fidelity of the human body’s kinematics and measured the level of injury in eight body areas, including the head and neck through use of embedded instruments. Additionally, Honda conducted independently developed simulations in which the kinematics of the body and injuries were reproduced.

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Euro NCAP today releases the results for five cars in five different vehicle classes: the Daihatsu Cuore, Hyundai i30, Lancia Delta, Renault Koleos and the Mercedes Benz – ML class. Four of these five cars received the maximum five-star award for adult occupant protection. Yet, not one of them achieved higher than a two star score in Euro NCAP’s pedestrian rating. Euro NCAP plans to address this concern with the launch of a new rating system in 2009.

When Euro NCAP was established in 1997 the achievement of five stars in adult occupant protection did not even seem possible. Ten years later, out of the 34 car models tested and assessed by Euro NCAP in one year, 97% of them achieve either a four or a five star result. Yet there are still areas of safety that Euro NCAP believes need to be prioritised by manufacturers and where lives could be saved. In comparison to these good adult occupant protection results, no manufacturer achieves a four star result in pedestrian protection. In our tests last year, 67% of models were awarded just two stars in this rating, despite approaching legislation. Euro NCAP is concerned that many manufacturers set out to achieve high scores for adult occupant protection to attract consumers, whilst compromising safety investment in other areas. Euro NCAP believes that consumers are interested in the safety offered to all occupants and also to other road users when they are choosing a new car. For this reason, Euro NCAP is developing a new rating system that will reward the overall safety of a vehicle.

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New small SUVs received high enough marks in the latest round of insurance industry crash tests that testers recommend them over small cars for buyers looking for more fuel-efficient rides.

Among eight new models tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, four earned the “top safety pick” award — the Ford Escape, Volkswagen Tiguan, Nissan Rogue and Mitsubishi Outlander — for highest grades in front, side and rear crashes.

Other SUVs tested — the Suzuki Grand Vitara, the Chevrolet Equinox and the Jeep Patriot — received a mix of grades. And the new Jeep Wrangler suffered the only poor score, recorded on the test for side-impact protection, a downgrade from the old model’s results.

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