Euro NCAP has officially named the Qoros 3 Sedan as the best performing car of 2013, achieving higher overall crash results than the 32 other models tested last year. It is also the first time that a Chinese car has scored a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating.
The Qoros 3 achieved an overall score of 88 per cent, helped in no doubt by the 95 per cent awarded for adult occupant protection, plus the 87 per cent achieved for child occupant protection - both of which were the highest category scores of the year. Elsewhere, the Qoros 3 scored 77 per cent for pedestrian protection and 81 per cent for Active Safety Assistance Systems.
"The Euro NCAP result demonstrates the high level of design, engineering and production quality that we have achieved with the Qoros 3 Sedan," comments Vice Chairman of Qoros, Volker Steinwascher. "Reaching these very challenging world-class standards - not just in safety, but in every attribute of the car - was an objective from the very beginning and it is very satisfying to gain recognition for our endeavours."
Other key performers in the 2013 Euro NCAP tests were the Lexus IS 300h and the Renault Zoe, taking joint first place in the EV/Hybrid section as well as winning their own respective categories of Large Family and Supermini.
The Small MPV category was tied between the Kia Carens and the Ford Tourneo Connect, the Small Off-Road 4x4 section was won by the Jeep Cherokee; and Maserati took the crown in the Executive class with the all-new Ghibli.
"Euro NCAP is continuously evolving in response to industry innovation and consumer expectation," says Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP Secretary General. "It is very positive that the number of four and five stars is still significant despite the ever increasing requirements."
Last year, the only vehicle to score less than four stars was the Nissan Evalia MPV.
Anything else?
The next results from the Euro NCAP tests are to be released on 26th February.