Latin NCAP has crash-tested a Brazilian version of the Volkswagen Golf 7, with the popular German hatchback scoring a full five stars for both adult and child occupant protection.
The safety authority said that the Golf, along with the Seat Ateca, was “the first to achieve five stars under the stricter protocols introduced in 2016”.
A Mexican version of the Volkswagen Golf 7 was assessed under the old protocols back in 2014, where it also achieved five stars. In this latest test, a Brazilian version (of the pre-facelift model, it seems) was used, and despite stricter testing, including a pole impact test and electronic stability control evaluation, the vehicle still achieved a top score.
The VW Golf was furthermore awarded with Latin NCAP’s “advanced award” thanks to its autonomous emergency braking system, which is optional in the range in Brazil. The model tested was fitted with seven airbags, and the body shell was rated as “stable”.
“This is the first time since the latest protocol established in 2016 that we have good results in our region. Perhaps for the NCAPs from other regions, for example those where UN regulations are mandatory, this is quite normal, but for us it is something extraordinary,” said María Fernanda Rodríguez, Latin NCAP president.
“I am anxiously awaiting the governments to understand that it is totally feasible to require manufacturers of all brands to meet UN safety standards. Only by this we will be able to reduce the scandalous numbers of the dead and injured in our countries,” she added.
Watch the crash-test footage below, with the ESC evaluation below that…
