Audi Q7's star has fallen?
Audi's new-age SUV misses out on a top rating in the latest round of EuroNCAP crash testsIn a somewhat surprising outcome, Audi's Q7 full-size SUV has scored just four stars in the latest round of EuroNCAP crash tests, while the Citroen C4 Picasso, Mercedes-Benz B-class and Ford Galaxy all scored the full complement of five stars.
The Ingolstadt car-maker had previously expressed confidence that its gargantuan all-terrainer would breeze through the NCAP testing protocol with flying colours.
Yet, it has 'lost' a star due in part to potentially dangerous intrusions into the footwells during the front-offset crash test (see below for an explanation of the NCAP testing procedure).
EuroNCAP was less than effusive in its summary of the Q7's performance.
"Poor welding resulted in rupture of the footwell area," said the testing authority.
"There was separation of the seam connecting the firewall to the footwell and failure of spot-welds in the footwell and its connection to the A-pillar... Structures in the dashboard presented a potential risk to the knees and femurs of the driver," it added.
Audi has reacted quickly to the announcement of the result, according to UK's Autocar, saying it has already made changes to the Q7 to strengthen the area in question.
The Q7 also got four out of five for child protection as EuroNCAP said that "the label warning against the use of a child restraint [in the front passenger seat] did not meet requirements."
However, the Q7 aced the side-impact and pole tests, scoring five stars for each of these.
The front bumper also scored a top result for pedestrian's lower legs, but the bonnet scored no points -- leading to a modest two out of four total for pedestrian safety.
Some industry pundits suggest the Q7 may have performed slightly poorer than expected in the EuroNCAP tests because it has been designed primarily to perform well in the American NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) crash tests.
In case you need ask why, bear in mind that the US accounts for the lion's share of the Q7's global sales.
Be that as it may, expect Audi to tweak the Q7 so that it fares better in NCAP tests, as BMW was forced to do a couple of years ago with the 5 Series (as it, too, received only four stars in 2004 testing).
What do NCAP crash tests comprise?
- The offset frontal crash test simulates colliding with another vehicle. In this test, 40 per cent of the car, on the driver's side, initially makes contact with a crushable aluminium barrier at 64km/h.
- The side impact test consists of running a 950kg trolley into the driver's side of the test vehicle at 50km/h. The trolley has a crushable aluminium face to simulate the front of another vehicle.
- A pole test is an optional extra test, available at the manufacturer's cost, if the vehicle performs very well in the side impact test and is fitted with head protecting side airbags. The vehicle impacts a steel pole lined up with the driver's head, at 29km/h sideways.
- The pedestrian impact test estimates injuries to pedestrians struck by a vehicle travelling at 40km/h.
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