The Toyota Starlet has achieved a four-star rating for adult occupant protection in the latest Global NCAP #SaferCarsForAfrica crash test results, following a safety upgrade that makes six crash bags standard across the model range.
The improvement comes after Global NCAP published a zero-star adult occupant protection rating for the two-bag version of the Starlet in May this year, which scored three stars for child occupant protection. The model, manufactured in India and among South Africa's top-selling vehicles with more than 20 000 units sold, was previously equipped with driver and passenger frontal crash bags and Electronic Stability Control as standard, but lacked side head protection crash bags.
Toyota introduced six crash bags as standard, including side curtain bags, in a production update at its Indian manufacturing plant. Global NCAP offered the manufacturer the opportunity to volunteer the upgraded Starlet for testing under its protocols to demonstrate the benefits of the additional safety equipment. Toyota declined, and Global NCAP proceeded with independent testing using its own funding.
The six-bag Starlet recorded four stars for adult occupant protection and three stars for child occupant protection.
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Richard Woods, Chief Executive Officer of Global NCAP, said the upgrade demonstrated what could be achieved when manufacturers prioritised safety. "We encourage all manufacturers to adopt similar improvements and to fit life-saving equipment as standard in the markets they serve. Safety should never be reduced to an optional extra."
Bobby Ramagwede, Chief Executive Officer of the Automobile Association of South Africa, described the improvement as considerable, moving from an unacceptable zero-star rating to a commendable four-star result. "Improving safety needn't cost much nor affect the production of entry-level model ranges. The result, when manufacturers prioritise the safety of their customers, saves many lives and revives the image of the industry."
Ramagwede added that the result served as an example of how improvements to safety specifications on entry-level vehicles could yield safer cars on local roads. "We strongly encourage those local brands with recent poorer #SaferCarsForAfrica results to work with us on improving the safety of their affected entry-level models, ensuring that safety is prioritised over cost and proving that African lives matter."
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The crash test assessment found that the footwell area was rated as stable, while the bodyshell was found to be unstable and not capable of withstanding further loadings in the frontal test. In the side impact test, head protection was rated as good and chest protection as adequate, with abdomen and pelvis protection good. In the side pole impact test, head protection was rated as good and chest protection as marginal, while abdomen and pelvis protection were good.
In the frontal impact assessment, the head of the three-year-old dummy made contact with the vehicle interior and chest protection was rated as low. In the side impact assessment, the head of the three-year-old dummy was exposed to impact.
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
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