New dual NCAP shows differences in Baleno safety
The Suzuki Baleno which is due to arrive South Africa later this year has just completed the Euro NCAP scoring – and it’s not all good news. The Suzuki Baleno which is built at the Maruti plant in India could only muster 3 stars, or 4 with the optional safety package.
In a world where 5-star NCAP ratings are almost a given (unless you’re Datsun) this comes as a shock especially since we’ve often praised the Japanese carmaker’s outstanding build quality.
Why two ratings? This is the first time the Euro NCAP has made provision for dual ratings to accommodate cars that have optional safety packages. Included in this safety package is Radar Brake Support.
Without it the Suzuki Baleno ranked low (25%) in the safety assist category but with Radar Brake Support this score was elevated to 43% – still not enough to earn it the maximum number of stars. The Baleno with standard equipment scored the same in child and pedestrian safety but in the adult occupancy test, the car scored 80 per cent – 5 per cent less than ones fitted with RBS.
The good news is that Euro NCAP commented that the passenger compartment remained stable, and adult and child protection were both good in all tests.
Suzuki South Africa has not confirmed which variant will be available in South Africa and truthfully the optional safety package, to our minds at least, won’t be essential to its local success. We’re also eager to see if Suzuki will bring the new BoosterJet turbo engine.
