EuroNCAP: Mercedes C-Class, Renault Laguna & Volvo V70 Score 5-Star Rating

In EuroNCAP’s latest bath of results, the new Mercedes C-Class, Renault Laguna and Volvo V70 models all scored a 5-star rating for adult passenger protection. Mercedes’ new C-Class managed to get three stars for child protection and just two stars for pedestrian protection while the Volvo V70 was awarded with 4-stars for child protection and only two stars for pedestrian safety. Finally the Renault Laguna was awarded four stars for the safety it offers to children and as the other two models tested, a mediocre two star rating for pedestrian protection. –Details after the jump

VOLVO V70

Front impact
The passenger compartment remained stable during the impact. The steering column and steering wheel moved forward, creating more space for the driver dummy's head and chest. Dummy results showed that the knees and femur of the driver and passenger were well protected. Volvo were able to demonstrate that the car would provide similar levels of upper leg protection to occupants of different sizes and to those in different seating positions.

Side impact
The car scored maximum points for its performance in the side impact test. However, in the first pole test, the side airbags fired late which prevented the side curtain airbag from fully deploying, and the car was penalised. Volvo were dissatisfied with the performance of the car in that test and developed a fix for the airbag deployment problem. Euro NCAP agreed to a re-test on the condition that all cars were modified. Volvo have implemented the fix in all production vehicles and have recalled cars, telling owners to get their cars updated by their dealers. Unfortunately, the same problem occurred in the re-test and again the airbag failed to deploy correctly.

Child-protection
The V70 scored maximum points for its protection of both the 18 month and the 3 year old, based on dummy readings from the frontal and side impact tests. The passenger airbag can be disconnected by a Volvo dealer, allowing a rearward facing child restraint to be usedin that seating position. The label warning of the dangers of doing so without first disabling the airbag was not clear. The presence of ISOFIX anchorages in the rear seats was not clearly marked.

Pedestrian protection
The bumper scores maximum points for its protection of pedestrians' legs and the bonnet provided predominantly fair protection to children's heads. However, the part of the bonnet likely to be struck by an adult's head provided predominantly poor protection, as did the front edge of the bonnet.

RENAULT LAGUNA

Front impact
The passenger compartment remained stable during the impact. The driver's right lower leg was the only body region not to score maximum points in the frontal impact. The knees and femurs of the driver and passenger dummies were well protected during the impact. Renault were able to demonstrate that structures in the dashboard do not represent a hazard to occupants of different sizes or to those sat in different positions.

Side impact
The Laguna scored maximum points based on dummy responses. However, the rear door on the struck side opened during the test and the car was penalised by one point. Renault is investigating the problem.

Child-protection
The car scored maximum points for its protection of the 3 year old, based on the dummy results from the frontal and side impacts. The passenger airbag can be deactivated to allow a rearward facing child restraint to be used in that seating position but information provided to the driver about the status of the airbag was inadequate. The presence of ISOFIX anchorages was not clearly marked.

Pedestrian protection
The front edge of the bonnet scored no points for its protection of pedestrians' legs. The bonnet's protection of pedestrians' heads was predominantly poor.

MERCEDES C-CLASS

Front impact
The passenger compartment remained stable during the impact. The dummy results showed that the front seat passengers' knees and femurs were well protected and Mercedes were able to show that the car would provide similar protection to occupants of different sizes and to those sat in different seating positions.

Side impact
The car scored maximum points for its performance in the side impact and pole tests.

Child-protection
A system is available as an option on the C-Class which automatically recognises when a child restraint is fitted to the front passenger seat and disables the airbag. The system was not fitted to to the test vehicle. Without it, a rearward facing child restraint should not be used in the front passenger seat as the airbag cannot be manually disabled. The label warning of the dangers of doing to so was not permanently attached. The presence of ISOFIX anchorages was not clearly marked.

Pedestrian protection
The bumper scored maximum points for its protection of pedestrians' legs. However, the bonnet was rated as predominantly poor for the protection offered to pedestrians' legs by its front edge and to adults' heads by the bonnet surface.