BMW i3 gets four-star Euro NCAP safety rating

BMW’s i3 electric city car has scored a four-star Euro NCAP safety rating in the latest round of crash testing by the European car safety body.

Although the i3 recorded strong results in the adult and child occupant protection categories, it missed out on a maximum five-star score due to weaker showings in the pedestrian protection and safety assist classes.

This is somewhat surprising as the BMW i3 features cutting edge technology in the city car sector, including a strong but lightweight carbonfibre body shell.

BMW

Racking up 86%, Euro NCAP highlighted that the i3’s carbonfibre make-up meant adult occupant protection was strong in the most part, with "the passenger compartment remaining stable in a frontal impact."

The i3 replicated its solid results for child protection, scoring 81%

The car also performed well in the side impact barrier test, scoring a maximum eight points, with "good protection of all body regions."

However, the i3 was less impressive in the side impact pole test, which simulates hitting a lamppost side-on. Euro NCAP remarked, "in the more severe side pole impact, dummy readings indicated that protection of the chest was weak."

Like the Ford B-Max compact MPV, the BMW does away with B-pillars, integrating them into the doors instead. However, constructed out of more conventional steel, the pillarless Ford scored maximum points for the same side impact pole test.

The i3 replicated its solid results for child protection, scoring 81% overall – the car achieved a maximum rating for infants in both the one and a half and three-year-old categories for the dynamic tests.

It is the pedestrian protection and safety assist categories where the i3 seems to fall down, however, scoring a below average result of 57% and 55% respectively.

While the i3’s bumper cushioned the blow to the dummy’s legs as best as possible, the front edge of the bonnet "was poor and scored no points." It was also recorded that "the bonnet provided only adequate or marginal protection to the head, with poor results at the base of the windscreen."

Mazda's Skyactiv chassic construction once again proved its worth when it comes to safety

With the potential to engineer in energy-absorbent crumple zones given the i3 doesn’t have a combustion engine lurking under the bonnet, Euro NCAP’s comments are something of a surprise.

ESC is fitted as standard, meeting testing requirements. However, with no seatbelt reminders for the rear seats, and BMW’s road sign recognition technology not expected to reach minimum fitment levels across all cars sold – therefore meaning the technology didn’t qualify for Euro NCAP assessment – the i3 scored just over half marks.

Euro NCAP analysed 11 vehicles in its latest round of testing, with many rated as top performers and receiving a full five-star score.

Included in the list of strong safety performers were the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, the new Mazda 3, Peugeot’s 308 family hatchback, the Maserati Ghibli saloon and the Infiniti Q50.

Mitsubishi

Thanks to the same set of safety systems as the regular Outlander, plus additional reinforced under-body protection around the hybrid SUV’s battery pack, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV scored highly.

Infiniti's controversial Q50 saloon also scored five stars

Interestingly, this rather large SUV was rated at 64% for pedestrian protection – that’s 7% more than the small i3 city car, despite the Mitsubishi’s greater frontal area.

Mazda’s Skyactiv chassis construction once again proved its safety credentials with a five-star rating for both the Mazda 3 hatchback and Fastback models, while the Maserati Ghibli was noted for its impressive passive safety.

Infiniti’s somewhat controversial Q50 saloon – which features a drive-by-wire steering system where the front wheels aren’t actually connected to the steering wheel – and the Peugeot 308 rounded out the group of five-star cars.

For the full rundown of results from the latest round of Euro NCAP safety testing, see the table below.

By Sean Carson, contributor, MSN Cars