As anticipated, VW Group’s newest sedan offerings, the Audi A4 and the Skoda Superb achieved a maximum five-star rating for adult occupant protection in Euro NCAP’s latest tests. Both sedans also managed to get four stars (out of five) for child occupant protection while in terms of pedestrian protection, both got a mediocre two out of four stars, something that displeased Euro NCAP officials who reported that no clear progress was seen in Pedestrian Protection despite approaching legislation. -Details and pics after the jump
Euro NCAP Comments:
Audi A4
Front impact: There was negligible distortion of the passenger compartment in the frontal test. Adapative airbags and seatbelts tailor the timing and the degree of restraint to suit the size of the occupant and the severity of the impact. In this case, the both the driver and passenger were well protected.
Side impact: The A4 scored maximum points in the side impact and pole tests.
Child-protection: The A4 scored maximum points for its protection of the 1½ year old infant and the 3 year old child based on dummy responses in the full scale tests. There was no label clearly warning of the dangers of using a rearward-facing child restraint in the front passenger seat but the presence of ISOFIX markings was clearly indicated in the rear outboard seats.
Pedestrian protection: The bumper scored maximum points for its protection of pedestrians' legs but the front edge of the bonnet scored none. The bonnet was rated as predominantly poor for the protection it offered to the head of a struck adult.
Skoda Superb
Front impact: The passenger compartment remained stable in the impact. Dummy readings indicated good protection of the front seat passengers' knees and femurs. Skoda showed Euro NCAP that occupants of different sizes, or those sat in different seating positions, would be equally well protected.
Side impact: The Superb scored maximum points for its performance in the side impact and pole tests.
Child-protection: Based on dummy responses in the dynamic tests, the Superb scored maximum points for its protection of the 1½ year dummy. The passenger airbag can be disabled to allow a rearward facing child restraint to be used in that seating position. However, information provided to the driver regarding the status of the airbag is not sufficiently clear. There was no adequate warning of the dangers of using a rearward facing child restraint without first deactivating the airbag. The presence of ISOFIX and top-tether anchorages in the rear outboard seats was not clearly marked.
Pedestrian protection: The bumper scored maximum points for the protection offered to pedestrians' legs. The bonnet surface provided mostly fair protection in the area where a child's head might hit. However, the bonnet was rated as predominantly poor for the protection offered to an adult's head and the front edge of the bonnet scored no points.
