New Volkswagen Tiguan Awarded Five Stars By Euro Ncap

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The new Volkswagen Tiguan has been awarded a maximum five star rating for occupant protection by Euro NCAP ahead of its launch in the UK next year.
In addition the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) awarded the Tiguan four stars for child safety and two stars for pedestrian protection.
The new Tiguan benefits from an extremely rigid body structure to afford as much protection as possible for the passenger safety cell. Constructed out of high tensile steel the Tiguan features panels designed to deform in the event of the accident to soak up the energy of an impact. Despite the keen focus on the strength of the Tiguan, Volkswagen engineers also reduced the potential mass of the chassis to bring the overall kerb weight of the vehicle to as little as 1,451 kg.
The new body structure is linked to a total of six airbags (twin front, side and curtain), ABS, Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP) and brake assist fitted as standard. Three-point seatbelts on all seats are joined by belt force limiters to reduce the impact on the chest for both front seat passengers and the occupants of the outside rear seats. Front seat passengers gain electronic belt tensioners while in the rear ISOFIX child seat preparation is fitted.
In the event of an accident the Tiguan’s safety systems work together to protect the occupants with the belt tensioners and airbags deploying in accordance with the severity of the impact. In addition the hazard warning lights are activated, the doors are unlocked, interior lights are switched and the fuel pump is deactivated.
Euro NCAP subjects vehicles to a frontal impact test at 40 mph into an offset deformable barrier, the side impact test consists of a 30 mph impact, the pole test at 18 mph and the pedestrian tests constitutes a 25 mph impact.
Pedestrian safety is improved through the adoption of a deformable bonnet and foam sections placed behind the front bumpers to reduce the risk of leg injuries.
The new Tiguan joins the Golf, Touran, Passat and Touareg models in achieving five-stars for occupant protection. The Tiguan goes on sale in February 2008 with a starting price of around £19,500 fitted with a choice of efficient new TSI petrol and common rail diesel engines.
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