Euro NCAP announces the results of several highly anticipated cars, including the best-selling Volkswagen Tiguan, two people carriers – the Maxus MIFA 7 and the Ford Tourneo Custom – and two car models from new brand ZEEKR, the 001 and the X.
In a media statement released on Wednesday, Euro NCAP also announced the 5-star Green NCAP performance of the two ZEEKRs, which according to the organization, achieved a 5-star rating.
There is a wider choice of powertrains available for the consumer, but all versions come with the latest safety technologies like automatic emergency braking (AEB) and lane-keeping assistance and a system that monitors driver fatigue. The Tiguan sold approximately 169,000 units in 2023 and was in the top 10 best seller list at number 8.
Available in Europe this summer, the car achieved high scores during crash tests in the lab and comfortably achieved an overall rating of 5 stars.
The car offers a premium look and feel to its customers and its high density ‘One Pack’ 90 kWh promises a drive of 479 km on a single battery charge with its modern design and seven seats, offers a pricy, electric vehicle targeting reviving market segments.
Ford has a reputation for producing very drivable vehicles and in addition this car has a flexible seating arrangement and a modern interior. However, it scores an overall safety rating of 3 stars with standard equipment, with the possibility of 4 stars when upgrading to an optional safety pack.
The same vehicle, but where the van has a large loading area designed to make it practical and useful as a commercial vehicle, the Tourneo Custom as a passenger car can fit up to nine seats. This is the passenger car version of the Ford Transit Custom van. For those consumers with large families or those wishing to accommodate more passengers, a less pricy alternative is the Ford Tourneo Custom.
Reacting, Dr. Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General Euro NCAP expressed the belief that Ford would feel disappointed by this result, particularly given their recent efforts and commitment in improving the safety of its commercial van line-up – the Ford Transit Custom.
“The Tourneo Custom is highly equipped with active safety technologies, yet it is slightly let down by this performance. achieved our highest van rating of Platinum,” he added.
ZEEKR also offers a competitive compact SUV in its model line-up in the form of the X, which has an appealing and innovative interior and, like its sibling, also achieves a high safety performance and an overall 5-star rating.
Referred to by some media as a comelier Porsche Panamera, it does not disappoint in its safety performance either, achieving Euro NCAP’s top overall rating of 5 stars. The first car model tested by Euro NCAP, the ZEEKR 001, is a large executive hatchback and a car that Europe’s premium car makers may slightly fear with its competitive pricing and quality, design, and technology.
With experienced Chinese parent company, Geely, and a Swedish team pushing it forward, the brand is quickly expanding into the European premium electric market. ZEEKR is a new brand launched as recently as 2021 but, it already has three models selling well in China.
The Both ZEEKRs also achieved the highest Green NCAP rating of 5 stars in a recent Green NCAP assessment. ZEEKR X achieved an overall score of 96% whilst, the ZEEKR 001 achieved 95%.
Euro NCAP plans to, in the future, consider these aspects more closely, not just the car’s performance in its track tests.
“More generally, Euro NCAP is committed to the promotion of ADAS systems which are neither distracting nor annoying to drivers. Their vehicles show that safety and sustainability can sit alongside each other in modern cars. Congratulations to ZEEKR for producing two vehicles with such good safety and overall environmental performance just as they begin their journey into the European electric vehicle market,” said Dr. Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General Euro NCAP.
Following Euro NCAP’s further evaluation, the Renault Scenic E-Tech was awarded a 5-star rating in line with 2022 test protocols and like its partner vehicle the Renault Megane E-Tech.
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