As you can see, itò€™s...
As you can see, itò€™s set to cause a real stir in the SUV market, thanks to its sleek, coupé-like looks. Following on from our spy shots in Issue 970, these images, which were taken near to BMWò€™s Munich base, show the car virtually undisguised for the first time.
Some pick-ups provide...
Some pick-ups provide far less protection in an accident than the average supermini, new crash tests show.
Euro NCAP has started examining the vehicles due to their increasing popularity with buyers. Out of the three models tested, the Nissan Navara fared worst. It only scored one star for adult occupant protection.
However, the star has been scored through because testers said there was an unacceptably high risk of life-threatening injury to the driver’s head and the passenger’s neck. The Navara did better in terms of child protection, earning three stars. It was awarded two marks for pedestrian protection.
Izusu’s Rodeo was also tested by Euro NCAP. It scored two stars for adult occupant protection, but its second one was struck through because readings from the dummy’s neck and chest demonstrated a high danger of injury. Two points were awarded for child protection and one for pedestrian safety.
The Mitsubishi L200 was the best performer of the trio, with a respectable four-star adult occupant rating. It also received three stars for child protection and one in the pedestrian assessment.
Dr Michiel van Ratingen, secretary general of Euro NCAP, said “Testing these vehicles becomes imperative as they are no longer simply being used for the carriage of goods. Makers must realise we will test all cars that could have an impact on the safety of motorists and their families.”
Part of the reason for the Nissan Navara’s score was due to the relatively slow response of its airbag. The company is calling cars back to dealers to adjust the sensitivity of its airbag control units. A revised Navara has since been tested by Euro NCAP, but the results have not been published yet.