The Indian-manufactured Maruti Suzuki S-Presso for South Africa has bagged a 3-star Global NCAP crash safety rating. Like the #SaferCarsForIndia initiative, they also have a #SaferCarsForAfrice one.
Global NCAP has recently revealed that the Maruti Suzuki S-Presso scored 3 stars for Adult Occupant Protection and 2 stars for Child Occupant Protection. The mini SUV scored 8.96 points out of a possible 17 for Adult Occupant Protection. Meanwhile, it scored 15 points out of 49 for Child Occupant Protection.
Maruti Suzuki S-Presso – Adult Occupant Protection
According to Global NCAP, the S-Presso offered good protection to the head and neck of the driver and passenger. The mini SUV offered weak protection to the driver’s chest and adequate protection to the passenger’s chest. The driver’s knee showed marginal protection, while the passenger’s knees showed good protection. The driver’s left and passenger’s both tibias showed adequate while the driver’s right tibia showed marginal protection.
GNCAP rated the bodyshell and footwell area of the S-Presso as unstable. This was because either was not capable of withstanding further loadings. The Maruti Suzuki S-Presso offers standard SBR for the driver and passenger. However, it does not meet GNCAP requirements. The above factors explain the 3-star rating for the Maruti Suzuki S-Presso.
Maruti Suzuki S-Presso – Child Occupant Protection
Maruti Suzuki refused to recommend CRSs for this test. Global NCAP installed the FWF child seat for the 3-year-old using the adult seatbelt. However, it could not prevent excessive head excursion during the impact. Hence, the S-Presso offered poor protection to the chest and weak protection to the chest. On the other hand, the 1.5-year-old RWF child seat was installed using the adult seatbelt. The S-Presso offered good protection to the head and poor to the chest. GNCAP states CRS marking was ok. Furthermore, the CRSs did not show any incompatibilities.
The Maruti Suzuki S-Presso does not offer a 3-point seat belt in all seating positions. The centre rear position gets a lap belt. All of the above explains the 2-star rating for Child Occupant Protection.
How Is It Different Than The Indian S-Presso?
Maruti Suzuki started exporting the S-Presso in January 2020. In November 2020, Global NCAP rated it with a 0-star rating. This model only had one airbag for the driver. The company discontinued these trims in April 2022.
When Global NCAP tested the base variant of the S-Presso for India, Suzuki South Africa claimed its model was safer. The base model in India came with only one airbag and no seatbelt pretensioners. In comparison, the base model in South Africa came with dual front airbags and front seatbelt pretensioners.
GNCAP wanted to see if the claims were true. Hence, it tested the South African model and awarded it a higher safety rating. Thus, proving that Suzuki South Africa’s claims were indeed valid. Global NCAP’s Secretary-General said that S-Presso’s safety performance is still far from satisfactory. Suzuki South Africa’s claims do not reflect in levels of child occupant protection. This is because they remain the same as the Indian version, which Global NCAP tested in 2020.
Global NCAP appreciated the progress in vehicle safety in the Indian market. There will be new norms that will mandate the fitment of six airbags as standard. However, Global NCAP hopes Maruti Suzuki will not apply a double standard for the cars they sell in India and South Africa.
Also Read: Kia Carens scores 3-Star Global NCAP crash test result
