While the 2015 Skoda Fabia is set to go on sale in the UK in the next couple of days, Euro NCAP has already crash tested a few test mules to see how this new hatchback performs in case of an accident. Fortunately, the Fabia has been awarded the maximum five-star rating in the crash tests.
The Euro NCAP rating is based on results for occupant protection for adults and children, pedestrian protection and safety assistance systems. Impressively, the new Fabia has received the maximum five-star rating in all four areas. According to Skoda, it’s been made possible thanks to safety features that were previously reserved for higher vehicle segments.
For instance, the new Fabia features front assistant with integrated emergency braking function which uses a radar sensor to measure the distance to the traffic ahead. Whenever the distance is too small, the assistant intervenes – from warnings to a full automatic emergency stop. Also on offer is the multi-collision brake which is part of the standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system. The multi-collision brake reduces the risk of the vehicle becoming involved in a secondary collision following an accident.
For the first time, the Fabia is available with the optional Driver Activity Assistant which is a fatigue detection system. Besides ABS, EBD and airbags, other safety systems include speed limiter, hill-hold control and an electronic tyre pressure monitor.
Thanks to the incredibly stringent European safety norms, small cars sold in Europe are now benefitting from safety features that were previously available only on bigger, much more expensive cars. Compare that to Indian safety norms which are plain laughable, it is easy to see why even the most modern of small cars sold in the Indian market are so unsafe.
