Car of the Year gets four-star NCAP rating

The Peugeot 307, last week voted Car of the Year 2002, has been awarded a four-out-of-five star rating in the latest Euro NCAP tests on front and side impact tests. Full marks were achieved in the side impact test and it performed well in the frontal impact assessment.

The NCAP reports says: "The 307's strong safety cell for passengers remained intact in the tests. The driver's door opened normally after the frontal impact and the footwell retained its shape. During the impact, the driver's chest hit the steering wheel and the passenger's head struck the facia. Both events increased the injury risk to vulnerable body areas. The results for the side impact test were very good, however.

However, the car only scored two stars out of a maximum of four in the pedestrian protection test, with NCAP concluding the car provided 'reasonable' protection where an adult's or child's head might strike, but the bumper and the leading edge of the bonnet were 'uncompromising'.

Alfa Romeo's competitor, the 147 fared less well in the tests, scoring three stars in the front and side impact tests and two in the pedestrian tests, which NCAP said was 'poor'.

NCAP concluded: "The 147 did very poorly in the frontal impact, exposing its occupants to serious risks and losing all but three marks available in testing. The car's safety cell became compromised because the screen pillar and door failed along spot weld seams and crimped seams and the beam running behind the fascia was driven rearwards relative to the screen pillars. The safety restraints did not protect the driver adequately and his head struck the fascia. By contrast, it protected well in the side impact, gaining a maximum score for the test. Its head-protecting airbag proved itself highly effective."