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VW may change Up to get crash star

The VW Up earned only four stars in initial testing by independent safety body EuroNCAP.

... to ensure its crucial new baby earns five stars in EuroNCAP crash testing.

The Volkswagen Up, which goes on sale in Europe later this month, earned four stars in initial testing by independent safety body EuroNCAP, the results of which are yet to be officially released.

Volkswagen says the test result is unfair because the Up’s main rivals were tested prior to the tougher pedestrian regulations which come into force for all 2012 model year cars.

To be awarded five-star safety, a 2012 model must now score 60 percent or better on pedestrian safety. Ten vehicles in the Up’s ‘supermini’ class have five stars, including the Audi A1, Citroen DS3 and Suzuki Swift which each failed to achieve a 60 percent pedestrian safety rating. Under the 2012 regulations, none of those cars would be able to claim a five-star safety rating.

The Up’s issue, technical project manager Helene Vogel told Carsguide at the global launch in Rome, is to do with the combined length of the front bumper and bonnet.

“The European Up’s small bumper and short bonnet means the pedestrian’s head impacts the windscreen, and not the bonnet itself. So there’s no give, no flexibility to cushion the impact. If we were to fit a bigger bumper [to European models] that the Up will have for other countries, then it would be five stars. The [VW] board is discussing this.”

Vogel wouldn’t comment on which countries the bumper was originally developed for, or how much global fitment of the bumper would cost Volkswagen.

EuroNCAP is due to release the Up’s crash test results on October 26. Australia’s independent crash testing body (ANCAP) adopts EuroNCAP’s ratings where applicable, so the outcome will have ramifications for Australia.