C5 Euro Ncap Test Results

[Gteuk]

Impact test 4/5
Pedestrian test 2/5

During testing, one of the C5's door opened. Euro NCAP allowed Citroen to submit a modified car.



During testing, one of the C5's door opened. Euro NCAP allowed Citroen to submit a modified car. The changes were partly successful: during a re-test of its side impact performance, the C5's door moved onto its secondary latch but remained closed. Otherwise, the car's strong passenger cell provided a safe survival space that remained intact. The driver's door could be opened normally after the frontal impact and the footwell retained its shape. The driver's chest hit the steering wheel, increasing the injury risk to this vulnerable body area.

Frontal Impact
The body proved very strong and the driver's screen pillar showed no distortion after the impact. However the driver's chest struck the steering wheel and the rim of the wheel was distorted by the driver's head. The footwell was virtually undisturbed and protected the driver's feet, but hard structures behind the fascia were likely to injure his knees and legs. The centre rear seat was fitted with a three-point belt, which provides superior protection to that of a two-point, lap-only belt.

Side Impact
The car offered impressive levels of protection and its restraint systems included four airbags plus a head curtain. It gained full marks in this test. The only problem testers noted was that, even after modifications were carried out, a door moved from fully closed to its secondary latch position.

Child Restraint
A switch operated by the ignition key can be used to turn off the passenger airbag, to allow a restraint facing rearwards to be installed on the front passenger's seat. A second key could be used to turn it off (but not on) while the engine is running. However, should this happen, a warning illuminates and so provides a safety check. Even so, there is too little warning of the dangers of an active airbag. Both restraints faced forward and gave some protection, but not in all situations.

Pedestrian Protection
The areas where an adult's or child's head might strike provided a reasonable degree of protection, but the bumper and the leading edge of the bonnet were uncompromising.

Model history and safety equipment
The C5 was launched in Europe during March 2001. Equipment fitted includes dual (smart) front airbags, side airbags (thorax), head-protecting curtain, front belt pre-tensioners and load limiters, three-point centre rear belt, head restraints for all seats, ABS and brake assist, emergency braking and auto warning system. ESP is optional.



Make, model and hand of drive: Citroen C5 1.8i 16v SX LHD
Body type: 5-door hatchback
Model year: 2001
Kerb weight: 1330 kg
VIN and date when rating applies: VF7DCZB6219701
Cars built on the same platform: None
Test Scores: Front 13(81%) Side 18(100%) Overall 30(88%)

[Kevin]

I own a C5 and the car is huge.... a barge on wheels and the estate version could double as a hearse in the right colour! It does give the impression that it is built like a tank!

With the drivers head hitting the steering wheel, it appears that the C5 along with the Picasso has a driver's airbag that is marginal in performance. Shame that something so easily corrected has not been addressed as yet in either car.

[bencowell]

Surely if your head hits the wheel, it depends on the dimensions of your body, your preferred seating position etc

I'm 6'3 and like to sit a long way from the wheel. I have very long arms and set the seat and wheel so that I can hold the wheel at the top with my arms streched while pushing my shoulders back into the seat.

As I am tall I guess that in the event of an impact, my legs would be in more danger than my head hitting the wheel.

Ben

[Guest Mike K]

The thing is with the NCAP tests they are a bit of a blunt instrument. They take no account of rear end collisions for example or the chances of a car rolling.

 

So for example people think big 4X4's are really safe but in reality they have a much higher center of gravity than say a C5 & a higher chance of rolling but the NCAP tests take no account of this.

 

There is an intersting site run by a big sweedish insurance company that publishes stats on real world accidents & the chances of serious injury or death depanding on your car here:

 

http://www.folksam.se/engelsk/index.htm

 

Unfortunately the C5 isn't in the stats yet but what struck me is that BIG CARS ARE SAFER THAN SMALL ONES in the real world which I guess we all knew anyway but it's nice to see some real evidence!!