Global New Car Assessment Program, or Global NCAP, has released a bunch of crash test results under the Safer cars for India initiative. One of these is the Maruti Suzuki Alto K10. The hatchback received a 2-star adult protection and a 0-star child protection result.
The Also K10 secured 21.67 points out of a maximum 34 points. In the front impact test, the hatchback was certified as offering good protection for the head and neck of the driver and the front passenger. That said, the chest was rated at marginal for both of them. The knees were rated at poor to marginal. It was said that the knees could get impacted by structures behind the dash.
In the side crash test, the head and pelvis offered good protection but the abdomen and chest were rated at adequate and poor respectively.
Further, the report said that the foot well and the body shell of the car were rated as stable and could be loaded further.
Global NCAP also noted that the footwell area as well as the bodyshell were stable, and capable of withstanding any further loadings. It, however, did not test the Alto K10 for side pole impact test as it does not offer side airbags.
The Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 managed to secure only 3.52 points out of a possible 49. The 3 year old dummy was installed in the forward facing seat and the car was unable to secure the seat, resulting in excessive frontal movement. This also led to exposure of the head to higher risks.
That said, the 18 month old dummy was installed in a rear facing seat. The car showed good protection to its head but what to the chest. The car is lacking dedicated child restraint systems and the fact that it comes with only 4 3-point seat belts was the reason for the low score.
Additionally, the Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 is deficient in the Electronic Stability Control or ESC and hence was not tested for safety assist test. The small hatch also lacks compliance with the pedestrian protection norms.
Also Read – Maruti Suzuki WagonR is NOT SAFE! Scores 1-star Global NCAP crash rest rating.