Top stars were the order of the day for the new Volkswagen Golf VI at EuroNCAP. It received the full compliment of five stars during evaluation. As a cherry on top the VW hatch scored the highest total number of stars of all the cars taking part.
The new Golf has been tested under the new 2009 EuroNCAP rules which instead of valuating cars on frontal crash, side crash and pedestrian protection tests, stars are awarded for other categories too. These categories are adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, pedestrian protection and safety assist.
Previously electronic safety systems installed in cars such as ESP were not considered when EuroNCAP testing was conducted. Under the new system these are taken into account. Officials have also added a new rear crash test which will inform them of the severity of loads to the cervical spine when performed. The Mk VI Golf has a system called "Whiplash-optimised head restraints" (WOKS) which is designed for these kinds of injuries.
Officially revealed in September 2008, the Golf VI can be fitted with safety systems like ESP (standard), seven airbags (standard), automatic distance control, automatic park assist, adaptive chassis control and a rearview camera.
Engines introduced with the Golf include a 1.6-litre petrol producing 102hp (75kW) and a turbo diesel 2.0-litre with 140hp (103kW).
The new Golf - an all-round safe vehicle
- Top score for the Golf in the new EuroNCAP test procedure
- Compact vehicle sets standards even in the strict new evaluation scheme
Once again the latest Golf has received five stars in the EuroNCAP evaluation: the European crash test programme EuroNCAP awarded the new Golf the highest score of five stars, even according to the stricter and more comprehensive assessment criteria. Furthermore, the Golf received the highest overall rating of any vehicle. In the latest rating of the EuroNCAP all safety and assistant systems of the individual vehicles are now being assessed. Up until now, safety systems such as the Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), which is fitted in the Golf as standard, were not taken into account in the evaluation.
Since February 2009, a vehicle must receive a minimum value in all four categories (adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, pedestrian protection, safety assist) as well as in the overall assessment to gain a five star award. The process in use up to now had been applied since 1997 and only tested the frontal crash, the side crash and pedestrian protection. In the new assessment procedure, electronic safety and assistant systems which help to prevent accidents and avoid serious injury are also included in the evaluation.
In addition, a rear crash test which will provide information on the load on the cervical spine is part of the new evaluation scheme. Volkswagen has responded to this kind of injury to the spine in the new Golf with "Whiplash-optimised head restraints" (WOKS). In comparison, the protective potential of WOKS was clearly better in the corresponding tests than the bio-mechanical figures of numerous active systems.
The new EuroNCAP rating has further advantages for the consumer: using the new overview evaluation, customers can quickly determine the overall safety rating of a vehicle and also make easy comparisons.
jandrews90
March 17, 2009 2:43 AM
