Table of NCAP Offset Crash Tests


1. FIA promotes consumer awareness of car safety

The FIA is helping to promote consumer awareness of car safety by supporting a crash test programme for new car models. The FIA is a founding member of the Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme) which is crash testing a representative range of models in different car sizes.

Using the same test procedures for front and side impact as the new directives (note : the front impact speed is higher at 64 Km/h) the Euro NCAP gives consumers a reliable and independent guide to the occupant safety performance of cars.
The first Euro NCAP report (testing seven Super-Minis) was published by the FIA and its partner organisations on 4 February 1997. Given the growing importance of safety in consumer choice, the Euro NCAP and similar crash test activities by member clubs of the FIA are a very significant additional means of improving road safety.

"We hope this information will encourage a market for safety and give manufacturers a stronger incentive to build safer products that perform above the minimum standards required by regulation" said Max Mosley, Chairman of Euro NCAP.

2. FIA's involvement in the advancement of new crash test legislation

From October 1998 all new car models sold in the European Union must meet tough new test standards for front and side impacts. The new standards replace a single front impact test that dates back to 1974.
This long awaited improvement in automotive safety standards has been achieved in part by a campaign launched by the FIA and by legislative decisions of the European Parliament.

3. FIA's participation in major research programme to further improve crash test procedures :

The FIA is involved in a major research programme (in part funded by the European Commission) to further improve crash test procedures. It is always possible to make improvements which will make crash tests more realistic.

Barrier configuration :
What improvements could be made to the design of the barrier face for frontal impact.

Impact speed :
What is the best speed for the legislated crash tests (currently set at 56 Km/h) and should this speed be increased.

Vehicle compatibility :
What are the implications of different car sizes (e.g. : larger cars hitting small ones) and the compatibility of such vehicles in accident situations.