The Global NCAP is conducting its final tests shortly before the Bharat NCAP becomes fully active. This time, it has tested the Mahindra Bolero Neo, the Kia Carens, and the Honda Amaze.
The Kia Carens has been tested by GNCAP under its previous protocols, having scored three stars for both adult and child occupant safety. It was re-tested later under the revised protocols, and GNCAP says that while the structure showed improvement, neck damage was rated quite high, resulting in a zero-star rating for adult safety.
In the latest tests, the Carens has scored three stars for adult safety again, with 22.07 out of 34.00 points. However, side pole impact tests have not been conducted. Meanwhile child safety protection has gone up from four stars to a full five stars, with a score of 41.00 out of 49.00 points.
Under the latest protocols, the Honda Amaze too has seen its safety ratings go down; from four stars for adult occupant safety and two stars for child safety, the Amaze has now scored two stars for adult and one star for child occupant safety. This is due to the lack of optional side protection for the head. The child dummies showed high damage in the chest and neck for three-year olds, while also highlighting ejection risk for 1.5 year olds. This is further fueled by the lack of three-point seat belts for all passengers, a passenger airbag disconnection switch, and the fact that some child restraint systems failed during installation.
However, the Amaze was also recently updated with the addition of six airbags and seat belt reminders.
Now onto the oldest platform here. The Mahindra Bolero Neo has scored one star each for adult and child occupant safety, with 20.26 points out of 34.00 for adults, and 12.71 out of 49.00 for children. Frontal body shell integrity has also been rated as unstable. The Bolero Neo does not offer side protection for the head even as an option. Child safety was again affected by the lack of three-point seat belts for all passengers, a passenger airbag disconnection switch and the availability of only one child restraint system. The side-facing third row also contributed to the Neo’s low safety ratings.
However, it is important to note that the Bolero Neo sits on an older platform, and reports suggest that an all-new Bolero is in the works, which will be underpinned by a new platform. Given Mahindra’s high safety ratings in the Scorpio N, XUV700, and the Thar, we kinda know what to expect.
