2012 Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet Aces Euro NCAP Tests

At the last batch of tests by the European safety body, Volvo managed to shine, but this was expected. However, the latest results published show that reborn cabriolet version of the Golf was a cut above its class competitors, managing to get a 96 percent score for adult occupant protection.

The passenger compartment remained stable in the frontal impact and dummy readings showed good protection for the knees and femurs of both the driver and front passenger. The Golf Cabriolet scored maximum points for the protection it provided in the side barrier test. The front seat and head restraint provided good protection against whiplash injuries in a rear-end collision.

The model tested, a 1.2 TSI three-door weighing 1.4 tons, received 42 points regarding child occupant protection, receiving maximum points for both the 18 month old child and 3 year old child tests. However, although the passenger airbag can be disabled to allow a rearward-facing child restraint to be used in that seating position, insufficient information is provided to the driver regarding the status of the airbag preventing any reward for the system.

“The bumper and front edge of the bonnet - the areas where a pedestrian's legs would contact - predominantly offered marginal or poor protection. In most areas likely to be struck by the head of a child, the protection was mostly good with some poor performing areas,” Euro NCAP stated.

The car only got 71 percent for its safety assist technologies, as there was no seatbelt reminder system for the rear passengers. However, the Golf convertible has a speed limitation device and good ESP, which meets Euro NCAP standards.