Passat and Sharan achieve 5-star Euro NCAP rating
The latest Euro NCAP crash testing has awarded the top achievement of five stars to the new Volkswagen Passat and Sharan.
Scoring an overall rating of 96 per cent, the Sharan achieved one of the highest ever results in what are Euro NCAP’s most stringent tests to date. The results for adult protection in frontal, side and rear impacts as well as child and pedestrian safety mean Volkswagen’s most advanced people carrier is among the safest vehicles in its category.
Passive safety in the Sharan has been optimised through innovative restraint systems which include nine airbags; acurtain airbag system for all three rows of seats, side airbags for the first two rows of seats and driver and passenger airbags as well as an additional airbag to protect the driver’s knees.
Previously, the Passat had been awarded five stars by Euro NCAP and the recently-launched seventh generation model has retained the test’s top accolade, with strong scores for adult and child occupant protection and pedestrian safety.
The new Passat offers new levels of safety with two pioneering assistance systems making a debut which are completely new to the segment. An automatic fatigue detection system monitors driver inputs and emits an audible and visual warning automatically to recommend a break if required, and the new city emergency braking function which is a development of the Automatic Distance Control (ADC) system. If an unavoidable collision is sensed by the vehicle, the brakes are automatically engaged at speeds below 18 mph. The system is also able to accelerate the vehicle automatically should an imminent rear end collision be detected, providing the road ahead is clear.
Both models share a comprehensive range of safety equipment as standard with optimised body-shell rigidity and highly effective airbag and driver assistance systems including ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) with HBA (Hydraulic Brake Assist) and ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme).
Ahead of its planned launch next year, the Volkswagen Amarok pick-up also performed well in the Euro NCAP tests, achieving a four-star rating. As with all models in the Volkswagen range, the Amarok will feature a comprehensive list of advanced safety and assistance systems as standard. These will include EDL (Electronic Differential Lock), ASR (Anti-Slip Regulation), ESP with Hill Hold Assist, Hill Descent Assist and off-road ABS designed to significantly shorten stopping distances on loose surfaces.
