Video: Hyundai Genesis Gets 5-Star Ratings in NHTSA’s Crash Tests

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded five-star crash test ratings to the 2009 Genesis for both frontal and side-impact crash tests, providing yet another helpful selling point to Hyundai's first venture into the luxury car segment. “These five-star results are just one indication of the dedication Hyundai engineers place on safety,” commented John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America’s vice president of Strategic Planning and Product Development. According to Krafcik, the Genesis owes its five star scores at NHTSA’s crash test to the rigid body structure combined with the car’s standard eight airbags and electronic active head restraints. -Check out NHTSA’s crash test video after the jump

Via: Safecar.gov

Euro NCAP to Reassess Crash Test Rating System

In a move that is more than welcome, European car safety testing body Euro NCAP announced today that it will revaluate its crash test rating system to take into account pedestrian safety and electronic stability controls with the results for the first vehicles to be tested under this new rating system due to be released in February 2009. Euro NCAP says that the reason behind these changes is that most manufacturers set out to achieve five-star ratings for adult occupant protection to attract consumers, but compromise safety investment in other areas.

While the the maximum rating in the new system will continue to be five stars, the new overall rating will reflect the protection offered to adult and child occupants as well as pedestrians and, for the first time, the fitment of systems such as electronic stability control (ESP). Moreover, the assessment of adult occupant protection will be expanded to include whiplash testing. -Continued

Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General of Euro NCAP says “I am delighted that more and more manufacturers are achieving five stars in our crash-tests, but it is imperative that Euro NCAP continues to set higher benchmarks for car makers to aspire to. Our new rating system will do this.”

“I have no doubt that manufacturers will step up to the challenge, just as they did when we first started. The creation of new technologies means enhanced safety performance and a potential reduction of fatalities on our roads,” added Michiel van Ratingen. “We intend to reward those manufacturers that make this their ultimate goal.”

Euro NCAP: Daihatsu Cuore, Lancia Delta, Renault Koleos, Hyundai i30, Mercedes M-Class

European car safety testing body Euro-NCAP announced its latest batch of ratings. Of the five cars whose results were released today, four models -the Lancia Delta, Hyundai i30, Renault Koleos SUV and the Mercedes M-Class, achieved Euro NCAP’s maximum five-star rating for adult occupant protection while the Daihatsu Cuore minicar managed a four star score. Hyundai’s i30 and the Renault Koleos were awarded with four stars in child occupant protection while the Lancia Delta, Mercedes M-Class and the Daihatsu Cuore achieved a mediocre three star rating in the same test. -Continued

Unfortunately, all cars performed poorly in Euro NCAP’s pedestrian protection with four vehicles obtaining just two stars (Lancia Delta, Daihatsu Cuore, Hyundai i30 and Renault Koleos) while the Mercedes M-Class managed a disappointing one star.