Euro NCAP has released the crash test results for four vehicles: the Honda CR-Z, the Suzuki Swift, the Citroen C4 and the Hyundai ix35 where all of the cars received a maximum five star rating.

The results show that manufacturers are rising to the challenges of Euro NCAP's new rating scheme and are continuing to make safety a priority. The Honda CR-Z demonstrates that good all round safety needs not be compromised by a fuel efficient petrol-electric hybrid powertrain: its pedestrian protection result continues the high scores achieved by recently tested Hondas. Several manufacturers are expected to release fully electric vehicles in the near future. Euro NCAP is poised to test them to ensure that high safety standards are maintained, with the first results expected early in 2011.

From October onwards, the new Euro NCAP Advanced will assess those technologies which are beyond the scope of the current crash tests. At least one of the cars presented today has a driver assistance technology which could be assessed by Euro NCAP Advanced. The organisation will release the findings of its first assessments at the Paris Motor Show on 1st October.

Euro NCAP's secretary general, Michiel van Ratingen, said, "I am looking forward to the launch of Euro NCAP Advanced. The new assessments will broaden the scope of our safety assessments and will greatly enhance the information we are able to provide to consumers. It is reassuring that, as well as developing these new advanced technologies, manufacturers are not neglecting fundamental crash protection and today's results show that car-makers are still striving for the very best levels of protection."

For more on car safety, come to the Fleet News car safety page.

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