eMobility

Road to Five Stars

the ENYAQ iV has been rated as one of the safest cars currently available. What does this rating entail?

T

he ENYAQ iV T he highest possible number of five stars from the independent consumer organisation Euro NCAP has already become the standard for ŠKODA cars. However, the new fully electric SUV scored exceptionally well, and in the key category (adult crew protection), it received the highest rating of all the cars tested so far in the 2020–2022 period. The journey took almost three years and involved experts from several departments throughout the development process. The design of a fully electric car posed new challenges, such as modifying the body and chassis for heavier loads and securing the high-voltage battery from damage.

Time for a crash plan

Virtual development, design, construction and other project activities are accompanied by a number of practical tests, which are governed by the so-called crash plan. “It defines the exact number of bodies, parts and cars, their delivery dates in relation to the project milestones, production and supplier capabilities, as well as test room capacities”, explains Dušan Podzimek from EKS – Car Safety. Then it is time to carry out all the necessary tests, which culminate in the official Euro NCAP tests performed in the Spanish crash laboratory, IDIADA.

From frontal impacts to emergency braking

Euro NCAP tests are very complex and are currently divided into four areas. “The oldest one concerns the protection of the adult crew, and its rating makes up the largest share in the car’s final rating”, says Podzimek. It is based on the well-known impact tests with dummies, such as frontal collisions with a deformable barrier or a solid wall, but also a side crash into a pole. The tests include monitoring of the driver’s movement during an impact and how their head impacts with that of the passenger – a situation in which a centre airbag is deployed in the ENYAQ iV. The functionality of the headrest, and recently also post-crash safety (including, among others, the eCall automatic calling function), is also assessed.

In the category of child crew protection, frontal and side impacts on children between 6 and 10 years of age are monitored . The location and fastening of selected child seats in the individual places is also tested, including the deactivation of the front passenger airbag when using the rear-facing child seat. Several interesting tests involve the protection of vulnerable traffic participants, such as pedestrians and cyclists. The probability of an adult’s or a child’s head, thigh or lower leg sustaining an injury when hitting various parts of the car is monitored. The automatic braking system is also thoroughly tested in both day and night scenarios.

The ENYAQ iV is equipped with numerous assistance systems that are also covered by the Euro NCAP rating. The correct unbuckled seat belt signalling function and driver fatigue detection function is verified, and the accuracy of speed measurement and road sign recognition is checked. Various scenarios also test the Lane Assist function and emergency braking to limit the risk of a collision with another car. ED

Model rating ENYAQ iV

94 %

Adult occupant protection

89 %

Child occupant protection

71 %

Vulnerable road users protection

82 %

Safety assist

Euro NCAP

The Euro New Car Assessment Programme consortium was established in 1997 to contribute to higher car safety in Europe. It is supported by the European Commission and has 14 members. The tests take place in 11 accredited testing facilities. Car rating criteria are usually tightened at two-year intervals and include not only active and passive but now also tertiary safety scenarios.

You can watch a video of the Euro NCAP test of the ENYAQ iV model.