The new Fiat 500L recently received a five star crash test rating in the demanding Euro NCAP tests and with that, secured a best in class ranking. The Fiat 500L is ranked the top safety choice in the MPV category (tying with the European only Ford B-Max) with its best in class test results.
Note how the Fiat 500L A pillar and door openings remain stable and barely move during this severe impact. Proof of the twin A pillar design's strength.
Euro NCAP is an organization that assesses the safety performance of cars sold in Europe. There are four different areas that are graded: adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, pedestrian protection and safety assist systems.
The Fiat 500L received particularly high marks (94%) in adult occupant and was awarded maximum marks in pedestrian safety.
Fiat 500L Euro NCAP adult occupant results:
The passenger compartment remained stable in the frontal impact. Protection of the passenger dummy was good for all body regions. Dummy readings indicated good protection of the knees and femurs of both the driver and passenger. FIAT showed that a similar level of protection would be provided to occupants of different sizes and to those sat in different positions. In the side barrier test, the 500L scored maximum points, with good protection of all body areas. Even in the more severe side pole test, protection of the chest was adequate while that of other body regions was good. The seat and head restraint provided marginal protection against whiplash injuries in the event of a rear-end impact.
Roomy and versatile, the Fiat 500L is a car that is aimed at families that are always on the go. Safeguarding its occupants played a key role in designing the 500L. Nowhere is this more evident than when you look at the Fiat 500L's signature anterior A pillar design.
Besides this being a styling element used to obtain a bright airy interior, it is also a significant safety feature. The pillars add a secondary load path to the front structure of the car. The design of the 500L calls for maximum passenger space and has the wheels pushed out to the edges of the vehicle with a resulting short hood. To achieve maximum passenger compartment strength the twin A pillar design was chosen in lieu of a traditional single pillar design that would have been made excessively bulky to attain the required strength.
The Fiat 500L will hit Fiat Studios as a 2014 model early this summer.
Source: Euro NCAP
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