Global NCAP Crash Tests To Get Tougher From July 2022; Testing Parameters Revised

NCAP, short for New Car Assessment Program is a car crash testing and quality evaluation program. Global NCAP started out in 2011 as an independent charity organization, as a collaborative effort between various NCAP bodies with the sole purpose of promoting and reporting vehicle crash-testing scores in emerging markets. Under their #SaferCarsForIndia initiative which is specifically catered to the Indian car market, they aim to make the cars offered to us much safer and more secure by offering either voluntary crash tests by companies or acquiring vehicles on their own to perform the crash tests.

Current Testing Parameter

The current crash test parameters of Global NCAP are not as stringent as other NCAPs and are done solely through a full-frontal impact test. During the test, the vehicle is remotely driven at a speed of 64kmph and a 40% overlap onto a deformable barrier. 

Also Read: Bharat NCAP Likely To Follow Global NCAP Protocols; Draft To Be Released Soon

Updated Global NCAP Crash Test Parameters

From July 2022, Global NCAP has decided to update its testing parameters for the Indian market to make it more stringent and compliant with better safety norms. Several modifications will be made to include testing protocols of active and passive safety comprising modern technology.

The new protocols for evaluation are:

• A 64km/h offset deformable barrier frontal impact: Similar to our current testing parameter with minor adjustments.
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Test: From the base variant, all new cars will have to be equipped with Electronic Stability Control (ESC). It will be tested via an automated sine-dwell test which involves bringing the vehicle to 80 km/h without any steering or braking input, letting it coast at 80 km/h, and then via a robot, gently applying an input to the steering wheel. Checks in displacement level are made and to pass the vehicle must pass all the runs. Cars without ESC are guaranteed to fail the test.
• A 29km/h lateral collision into a side pole: In this test, the vehicle will be crashed sideways into a rigid pole at 29 km/h to check the sidewards body and head protection. Cars equipped with curtain airbags will do well here and score more.
• A 50 km/h MDB side impact: This is a side-impact test and consists of a 950 kg trolley impact on the driver’s side of the test vehicle. The trolley is equipped with an MDB-R95 barrier, which aims at simulating the impact of another vehicle’s front on your side.
• Pedestrian Protection: Based on GTR9 regulations, it ensures that cars are built in compliance so that in a case of an impact with a pedestrian, minimal damage is caused. This includes not having protruding logos or undulations on the bonnet. Active safety features are also of note here.
• Front and Rear Seat Belt Reminders