The new Fiat Bravo has scored the highly important 5-star Euro NCAP rating it was announced this morning by the independent crash testing organisation, fulfilling a key objective set by Fiat during the designing of the car. Euro NCAP provides motoring consumers with a realistic and independent assessment of the safety performance of some of the most popular cars sold across Europe.

The Bravo scored a total of 33 points on its way to collecting the maximum 5-star rating for "Adult Occupant Protect", having picked up 13 points (81%) for frontal protection, 18 points (100%) for side impact and 2 points for the seatbelt reminder. It was also awarded a 3-star rating for "Child Protection" after collecting 36 points (73%), and 2-stars for "Pedestrian Protection" (16 points, 44%). The model crash tested was a Bravo 1.9 Multijet 'Dynamic' in left hand drive format.

Established in 1997 and now backed by five European Governments, the European Commission and motoring and consumer organisations in every EU country, Euro NCAP has rapidly become a catalyst for encouraging significant safety improvements to new car design. Euro NCAP provides consumers with independent information about a car's safety. This compliments all the other information available to consumers wishing to buy a new car. The ratings also provide an incentive to manufacturers to continually strive to improve protection. Euro NCAP has an important influence in improving road safety. Independent research has shown that improvements in vehicle safety have been responsible for the greatest reduction in road accident casualties over the last ten years.
 

Euro NCAP has been responsible for a dramatic change to overall car safety. This is readily seen in how quickly manufacturers improve their safety equipment and the steps they take to do well in the tests. Real world injury studies carried out by SNRA (Swedish National Roads Aministration) and SARAC (Safety Advisory Rating Committee) demonstrate a reduction in injury risk for every Euro NCAP star received.

Euro NCAP was originally developed by the Transport Research Laboratory for the UK department of Transport. Subsequently many other interested parties have joined. Current members include the Catalonian region of Spain, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and the UK. Consumer groups in Europe are represented by International Consumer Research and Testing. Motoring Clubs are represented by members of the FIA Foundation and ADAC, the German Motor Club. British Insurers are represented by Thatcham. The European Commission is an observing member of Euro NCAP's board and provides additional support. This wide consortium of members ensures their independence. Euro NCAP itself is an International Association under Belgian law. Euro NCAP is independent of the automotive industry and political control. No individual member can bias Euro NCAP towards their individual interests.