smart #1 Aces Euro NCAP, Proving Its Desirability

Chinese automakers are having a field day lately with many of them achieving extremely good results in the global arena. This is further backed by the world class products they have been putting up of late meeting and exceeding global standards. One such example is the brainchild of Geely Group and Mercedes the smart #1. 

In a recent Euro NCAP published test result the smart #1 managed to attain an impressive maximum 5-star rating proving to the world how well engineered their car is. 

According to Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP’s Secretary General, “Manufacturers are keen to achieve good scores in this year’s tests as next year protocols become more stringent and provide increased challenges for vehicle development. In 2023, in line with its Vision 2030, Euro NCAP will be focusing on a range of new aspects. For example, we are putting in place autonomous emergency braking (AEB) protocols for motorcycles as well as new scenarios in passive safety for pedestrians and cyclists, extending the area where these two vulnerable users might interact with a vehicle. This is necessary progress in safety for other road users, and we are collaborating closely with industry to ensure we meet Vision Zero objectives and that the demands of the protocols are met”.

The smart #1's passenger compartment remained stable in the frontal offset test, according to Euro NCAP. Dummy readings indicated that both the driver's and passenger's knees and femurs were well protected. Smart demonstrated that occupants of various sizes and sitting positions would receive a comparable level of protection. The analysis of the impact trolley's deceleration during the test, as well as the analysis of the deformable barrier after the test, revealed that the car would be a benign impact partner in a frontal collision. In the full-width rigid barrier test, the driver's protection was adequate for all critical body regions of both dummies, with the exception of the rear passenger's chest.

Protection of all critical body areas was good in the side barrier impact, and the smart received maximum points in this section of the evaluation. In the more severe side pole test, chest protection was adequate, and protection of other critical parts of the body was excellent. Control of excursion (the extent to which a body is thrown to the opposite side of the vehicle when hit from behind) was found to be adequate. The smart #1 has a countermeasure to reduce occupant-to-occupant injuries in such collisions.

In the event of a rear-end collision, tests on the front seats and head restraints revealed good protection against whiplash injuries. A geometric analysis of the rear seats revealed that they provided adequate whiplash protection. The smart #1 has an advanced eCall system that alerts emergency services in the event of a collision and a 'Post-Impact Braking' system that applies the brakes automatically to prevent secondary collisions.

In dynamic crash tests, the car provided adequate protection for both dummies' critical body regions, with the exception of the head of the 10-year-old dummy in the side impact. To use a child safety seat with the child facing backwards, the front passenger airbag can be turned off. Every type of child restraint that the smart #1 is capable of supporting and installing correctly.

The majority of the time, a pedestrian's head was adequately or well protected. At every test location, the bumper provided excellent protection for pedestrians' legs, but pelvic protection was primarily inadequate or nonexistent. The smart's autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system can react to both other vehicles and vulnerable road users. In tests of the system's response to pedestrians and cyclists, collisions were successfully avoided in the majority of test scenarios.

In tests of its reaction to other vehicles, the smart's autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system performed well. A seat belt reminder system is standard on the front and rear seats, and the vehicle has a system to detect driver fatigue. If the vehicle is drifting out of its lane, the lane support system gently corrects its path and also intervenes in some more critical situations. As part of its speed assistance system, the car employs camera-based traffic sign recognition. However, that component of the system failed to meet Euro NCAP's standards, and only the speed limiter was rewarded.