While the BMW i3 did well in terms of adult occupant protection (86 percent) and child occupant protection (81 percent), it was penalized for a rather low score on pedestrian protection (57 percent) and for the lack of safety assist systems like a speed assistance system - although BMW offers an optional sign recognition speed limit system, EuroNCAP said it doesn’t reach its minimum fitment rate to be assessed. The score of 55 percent for safety assist (shared with the Ford EcoSport) is the lowest from this latest crash test session.
Speaking of the Ford EcoSport, the small SUV got a good rating for adult occupant protection (93 percent), managed 77 percent for child occupant protection and only 58 percent for pedestrian protection.
The Nissan Note scored 86 percent on adult occupant protection, 82 percent on child occupant protection, but only 58 percent for pedestrian protection. However, it got the highest rating for safety assist (70 percent) of the 4-star rated cars, together with the Mercedes-Benz Citan, thanks to the availability of a speed assistance system.
The Mercedes-Benz Citan returned for a reassessment after only getting 3 stars in May this year. It did better this time, getting a 4-star overall rating with a score of 79 percent for adult occupant protection, 81 percent for child occupant protection, 56 percent for pedestrian protection and 70 percent for safety assist.
Finally, the facelifted VW T5 accepted 4 stars, although it was the worst in terms of pedestrian protection, with a low rating of 32 percent. Adult occupant protection and child occupant protection were reasonable at 79 percent and 74 percent, respectively, while safety assist was rated at 57 percent.
By Dan Mihalascu
Fitted with a retractable hardtop that takes 20 seconds to be lowered down, the 4-Series Convertible will launch in the States next spring with two engine options, a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four delivering 240hp in the 428i, and a 300hp 3.0-liter turbocharged six for the 435i. Prices start from $49,675.
BMW's North American premieres at the show included the thinly disguised X4 Concept that will lead to a production crossover model next year, and the i8 Hybrid Coupe that's already available for order with the…low starting price of $135,700.
In order to put those figures into perspective, one needs an i3, an E92 M3 with a V8 under the bonnet and a slightly damp track surface on which to stage a drag race. This is what Business Car Manager did, and the fruit of their labor lies after the virtual jump, in video form.
As you’ll see, the i3 has no trouble sprinting off the line ahead of the M3, and even with its bike-skinny tires, it stays ahead up until around 30 mph or 48 km/h, when the bigger car gains traction and starts pulling ahead.
In fact, the quoted source states that one day prior to the video being shot, they tried out the drag race on a much wetter Brands Hatch track, and “the i3 gripped better and beat the M3 all the way to the chequered flag.”
By Andrei Nedelea
Story References: BMWBlog
