Revamped Hyundai is a crash hit

IT’S a five star-first in crash 
tests for Hyundai. The Korean maker’s i30 has earned Euro NCAP’s top score for adult occupant protection – but only after its second attempt!

The family hatchback was originally tested a year ago, but was then awarded four out of five stars due to insufficient front impact protection. The results revealed potentially serious injuries in the knee area.

However, Euro NCAP regulations stipulate that 
if a manufacturer makes sufficient changes to the car’s safety systems and is prepared to pay for it themselves, they are eligible for a retest. And 
that is exactly what the manufacturer did.

Hyundai’s five-star car follows hot on the heels of sister company Kia, which first achieved a maximum score when the Cee’d was tested last year. A spokeswoman for Euro NCAP said: “The Koreans have certainly raised their game, and are now competing with 
more established European manufacturers for safety.”

Other cars tested include the Mercedes M-Class, which scored five stars for adult occupant protection – an improvement over the four stars achieved by the previous model. The Lancia Delta and Renault Koleos were also awarded the full five stars, but the Daihatsu Cuore city car could manage only four – it was let down by poor chest and upper thigh protection.

Surprisingly, not one 
model was given full marks for child occupant or pedestrian protection – with the M-Class scoring one out of a possible four for the latter, because of its large grille and high bonnet.