safety

MINI USA announced today that the 2019 MINI Hardtop 2 Door has earned a “2018 Top Safety Pick” award by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The MINI Hardtop earns this designation when equipped with Active Driving Assistant and newly available LED headlights. The 2019 MINI Hardtop 2 Door received a “Good” rating across a wide range of crashworthiness tests, including “driver-side small overlap front”, “moderate overlap front”, “side, roof strength” and “head restraint” tests.

The dynamic new MG ZS has achieved a three-star rating from Euro NCAP after undergoing its rigorous testing program. The Compact-SUV, which is proving popular with families thanks to its affordability, outstanding design and digital extras as standard, received the positive rating following vehicle testing that represents real-life accident scenarios. In both the side barrier test and the more severe side pole impact, the MG ZS scored maximum points and protection of all critical body areas was good.

The Range Rover Velar has achieved a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, confirming one of the world’s most desirable luxury SUVs as among the safest too. The fourth member of the Range Rover family scored 93% for adult occupant protection, 85% for child occupant protection and 74% for pedestrian protection.

MINI USA announced today that the all-new 2017 MINI Countryman, the biggest, most adventurous MINI ever, has earned a TOP SAFETY PICK award by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Countryman earns this designation when equipped with the optional front crash prevention system, which earned an advanced rating from the independent, nonprofit scientific and educational organization. The 2017 MINI Countryman earned the designation thanks to good crash-worthiness ratings across the board, including the small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests. The MINI Countryman also benefits from an optional advanced-rated front crash prevention system, which in IIHS track tests at 12 and 25 mph, the system mitigated a collision, reducing the impact speed by 7 mph in both tests.

Land Rover has issued a recall for 797 of its 2017 model-year Discovery Sport and 2016-17 model-year Range Rover Evoque SUVs fitted with the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine and automatic transmission, over concerns a wiring fault could cause several issues including loss of electric steering, engine cut-out, or even a fire. The British manufacturer reports the engine harness may have been routed incorrectly and as a result could contact the water charge air cooler bracket.

The Jaguar XE sports saloon triumphed in Euro NCAP’s prestigious Best in Class Cars of 2015 awards, coming first in the large family car category. The XE has already received the maximum five star rating from Euro NCAP against 2015’s highly demanding test protocols. In awarding the XE with best in class honours, Euro NCAP praised the high levels of active and passive safety systems fitted to the XE as standard. “We set out to develop the driver’s car in the segment, but also we wanted to provide outstanding levels of occupant and pedestrian safety. By combining our Advanced Aluminium Architecture with the most advanced technology available we were able to meet all of our targets. The XE has already proven itself the benchmark for vehicle dynamics, and now this Euro NCAP award is recognition that we delivered on safety […]

The Jaguar XE and all-new Jaguar XF saloons have been awarded the maximum five star rating in Euro NCAP’s 2015 safety tests. XE and XF scored highly in every category – Adult Occupant, Child Occupant, Pedestrian and Safety Assist – and are among the most highly-rated models in their respective segments. As well as outstanding crash protection, the XE and XF also benefit from a range of active safety systems including Autonomous Emergency Braking (fitted as standard in Europe), which uses a forward-facing stereo camera to detect vehicles which could pose a threat of collision: the system can give the driver visual and audible warnings and automatically apply the brakes if a collision is deemed imminent. 

Please be respectful of both yourself and others this holiday season – drive carefully! Sure I am worried about you, the loyal reader, but I am also worried about the rest of us and our prized cars. Even if no one is injured, repairing cars can be expensive. Of course it is always cheaper to fix the damage with used car parts, but this can still be costly as well as time and aggravation. Plus damage can often leave deep psychological scars – at least it can with me. Two cases in point that don’t involve injuries at all. First is my sister and her fairly new Mitsubishi Eclipse. She arrived home to visit for this holiday season with a favor to ask of me. She needs me to help her replace the passenger side mirror on her car. Seems […]