The ASEAN NCAP test programme continues where three cars were recently given the ASEAN NCAP 5 star rating for their crash test ratings. The New Car Assessment Programme for Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN NCAP) performed its latest crash tests exercise for the second quarter of 2018 on three models sold within the ASEAN region. The three models which were tested on their crash- worthiness were the Hyundai IONIQ Hybrid (above), Toyota Rush and Toyota C-HR.
The Hyundai IONIQ Hybrid
First up is the Hyundai IONIQ hybrid test results. Under the assessment for 2017-2020 rating system, the Hyundai IONIQ achieved an overall score of 91.98 points, which placed it as a 5-Star ASEAN NCAP rated car. The IONIQ’s total score comprised 46.34 points over 50.00 for Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) category, 21.48 points over 25.00 for Child Occupant Protection (COP) and 24.17 points over 25.00 for Safety Assist Technologies (SATs).
This innovative hybrid vehicle is currently sold in Malaysia as well as in Singapore. It comes equipped with seven airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), ABS, EBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution) and Seatbelt Reminder System (SBR) including for rear passenger standard across all variants.
In addition to the safety equipment mentioned above, which are now quite common in most passenger cars these days, the IONIQ is also equipped with advanced safety technology systems like the Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) system for City, Inter-Urban and Vulnerable Road Users, Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Forward Collision Warning (FCW) Systems and Lane Keep Assist (LKA). The car packs a lot of active safety features and the IONIQ to us could be the safest (and actually most refined) car that you can buy under RM120,000.
The New Toyota Rush (Indonesian spec)
Next, the Indonesian market all-new Toyota Rush has been tested by ASEAN NCAP. The budget MPV's first assessment was conducted in 2015 was on the previous generation model. That model was awarded with 4-Star rating for both AOP and COP categories at 12.47/16.00 and 82%, respectively. The new Toyota Rush under the new rating system gain a better performance rating under ASEAN NCAP 2017-2020 rating system where it achieved 5-Star rating with a total score of 84.03 points.
As for the breakdown of the score, the new Rush obtained 43.25 points for AOP, 21.33 points for COP and 19.44 points for SATs categories. The gains that the Rush has made came from the installation of more safety equipment to the people carrier. The variant that was tested had ESC, Antilock Braking System (ABS) and SBR for frontal and rear passengers as standard fitment.
Of course, we did ask the people from UMW Toyota whether this new Toyota Rush would make it to our shores but there has been no concrete answer. We think that this is because the Rush that we got here did not sell in large numbers and there was some overlap in terms of buyers of the Avanza MPV and the Rush. As Toyota is a conservative company in terms of strategy, it could be a while before the new Rush makes it way here.
That being said, the new Rush looks more like a super better looking Avanza X variant which was recently launched rather than the boxy looking Rush of before. We may see this model taking over the Avanza altogether as firstly, it looks better by three million times. Well, better by a fair bit lah anyway and secondly, Toyota is still in the midst of building their new plant here in Malaysia (Bukit Raja area). We may see more interesting cars being sold here after this at a more competitive price.
The Toyota C-HR
Finally, theThe Toyota C-HR was the third ASEAN NCAP crash test performed. The C-HR was also awarded a 5-Star rating with a total score of 91.31 points. For the AOP category, the fashion foward looking C-HR scored 49.72 points, it achieved 20.86 points for COP and 20.73 points for SATs.
It has seven airbags, ABS, ESC and SBR for frontal occupants fitted asstandard in all variants. However, the Toyota C-HR also comes with other advance safety technologies namely AEB for City, Inter-Urban and Vulnerable Road Users technologies, LDW, FCW and LKA. But these are only offered for the Singapore and Thailand market. Again, cost is a factor as the vehicle is still imported and not assembled here in Malaysia. Hopefully things will change when this happens as we do fancy the C-HR and think that more should be seen on the roads of Malaysia (with better specification too - especially the bodykit. Nope, it does not add any safety value, but it makes the C-HR look better).
Extra details on the cars tested
ASEAN NCAP would like to also state that when it comes to child safety, all of these three models are equipped with ISOFIX and top tether as standard for child safety seats. Additionally, both the Hyundai IONIQ Hybrid and Toyota C-HR are equipped with Blind Spot Technology (BST) sensing systems.
For Hyundai IONIQ Hybrid, BST is placed as a standard equipment in Singapore but it is available in Malaysia only on the high specced IONIQ . As for the Toyota C-HR, BST is fitted as a standard part in Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. For the Thailand market, BST is offers as an option for C-HR but it is not available in Brunei. So do take in mind of what has what equipment if you are located in one of the countries mentioned above.
The Opening of the MIROS Gallery & Other ASEAN NCAP Activities
This latest round of ASEAN NCAP crash test results were held in conjunction with the opening of the MIROS Gallery. The new gallery was built with the objective to showcase MIROS' achievement in forming a safer automotive ecosystem in Malaysia as well as the region. The new MIROS Gallery was officially opened by the Honourable Datuk Seri Hj. Saripuddin bin Hj. Kasim, Secretary General of Ministry of Transport Malaysia (fourth from left, holding the 5 star rating card).
During the event, ASEAN NCAP and MIROS also acknowledged several of their key research collaborators for the betterment of road safety. Isuzu was thanked for them providing their D-max pick-up truck for the testing of driving recorders (dash cams), Proton had basically lent them a dissected Iriz for display and there were also a whole bunch of child safety seats on display which are part of the seats tested during the child occupancy safety crash tests.
Nissan also came with their special smart rearview mirror technology and demonstrated it to the Secretary General. It was equipped in the MIROS Nissan Xtrail seen below. The motorcycle was the test subject that could be seen in the smart rearview mirror. Something available in Thailand, but not here in Malaysia though. Sometimes, the Thais get the better stuff. Sometimes, we get the good stuff.
When asked about the latest round of activities conducted by ASEAN NCAP, ASEAN NCAP Secretary-General, Ir. Dr. Khairil Anwar Abu Kassim said, “ASEAN NCAP recently organized a Blind Spot Technology development test on some of the popular models currently available in the market. This is according to our new rating system for 2017-2020."
He was speaking of their recent BST tests conducted by ASEAN NCAP aside from the normal crash tests. Based on this test, ASEAN NCAP had obtained significant results that the BST for Hyundai IONIQ Hybrid and Toyota C-HR had functioned according to ASEAN NCAP requirements for both the left and right side area of the vehicles in which the system had managed to detect the presence of the motorcycle rider in the blind spot zone. So aside to the crash tests that mentioned above, this is the first time ASEAN NCAP are releasing the results for their BST development test.
“ASEAN NCAP is proud that the models we released today achieved 5-Star rating. Other than significant crashworthiness structure of the car built to protect the vehicle occupants, the tested models are also equipped with advanced safety assist technologies that could prevent a crash from occurring or reduce the severity of the injury to the victims. We encourage consumers to utilize the NCAP safety rating in their decision making process when purchasing a vehicle for themselves and their family members.” added Dr. Khairil.
ASEAN NCAP has expanded their test to include active safety testing aside from the systems that will work during a crash. This is in line with their current philosophy which is also to prevent the number of motorcycle accidents caused by passenger cars.
This is a first step before they tackle other types of road going vehicles. Who knows, ASEAN NCAP could be conducting tests on different vehicles from motorcycles to commercial vehicles in the future.
For more details on ASEAN NCAP, click here.
For more details on ASEAN NCAP, click here.
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