Since about 2000, French cars have been safe relative to most cars, as a general rule. Modern Citroens, Peugeots, and Renaults feature advanced safety features. Since these makes of car are no longer sold in the US (Citroen pulled out in 1974, Peugeot in 1991, and Renault in 1987), crash tests using EuroNCAP methods are used for the new models.
New: Citroen C6 (2005) and C5 (2008)
http://euroncap.com/tests/citroen_c6_2005/235.aspx
http://euroncap.com/tests/citroen_c5/312.aspx
This pair of Citroen large cars show that drivers would walk away from severe front and side collisions. The five star ratings these cars achieved were above average for their class.
New: Citroen C4 (2010)
http://euroncap.com/results/citroen/c4/2010/405.aspx
This midsize Citroen gave excellent protection to its occupants in front and side collision; the new pole collision, more severe than the other crash tests, was survivable unlike in many of its competitors.
Old: Citroen Xantia (1997)
http://euroncap.com/tests/citroen_xantia_1997/16.aspx
This 1997 crash test was based on a 1993 design, and it was not good. Side impacts would prove potentially fatal, and frontal crashes were little better, being survivable - with major driver injury. Overall, a below average - though not terrible - result for the time.
New: Renault Megane (2008) and Laguna (2001)
http://euroncap.com/tests/renault_megane_2008/337.aspx
http://euroncap.com/tests/renault_laguna_2001/90.aspx
The Megane's performance was simply beautiful. Front and side crash tests resulted in almost no potential injury to the driver and passenger, with possible minor chest injury to a more frail driver. The Laguna - a design now 11 years old - showed only minor injury at worst in front and side crash tests. The Laguna was the first car to earn a 5 star Euro NCAP rating.
Old: Renault Alliance (1985), Sportwagon (1984), and Fuego (1982)
http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/database/aspx/vehdb/occupantinfo.aspx?LJC=799 (Alliance)
http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/database/aspx/vehdb/occupantinfo.aspx?LJC=711 (Sportwagon)
http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/database/aspx/vehdb/testtabledetails.aspx?LJC=463 (Fuego)
These were 35 mph full frontal crash tests instead of 40 mph offsets, but the focus is on comparative safety to cars of its time. Most cars of this era (1982-1985) would result in a likelihood of moderate injury to both occupants. The Alliance showed severe driver and fatal passenger injury. Sportwagon - two fatally injured occupants. The Fuego - once again, two fatal injuries. All three of these cars were among the worst performers of the era.
New: Peugeot 508 (2011)
http://euroncap.com/results/peugeot/508/2011/433.aspx
No or minor injury to both front occupants in the front test, and minor injury in the side impact.
Old: Peugeot 505 (1989) and 504 (1979)
http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/database/aspx/vehdb/occupantinfo.aspx?LJC=1327
http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/database/aspx/vehdb/occupantinfo.aspx?LJC=219
Both of these vehicles would have caused fatal injury to both occupants. Once again, 35 mph NHTSA test. The 504, however, did have head injury forces twice as high as the 505. That shows some improvement.
The point is: French car safety is an interesting thing. Here is my recommendation. If you do get a French car, get a newer one - 2000 seems like a reasonable cutoff - or retrofit racing seatbelts to an older model, or use it only for special occasions such as car shows.
Comments
Post a Comment