Today was the big day when the Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer built BMW i3 received the results obtained by Euro NCAP in their tests. The EV was rated at 4 stars in the European vehicle safety rating system.
What does that mean? Well, according to the agency’s website, the i3 performed very well in frontal impact tests, offering good protection of the knees and femurs for both the driver and passenger.
Furthermore, in the side barrier test, the i3 scored maximum points showing good protection of all body regions. However, in the side pole impact test the chest protection indicated was weak and it was the same in the case of rear impacts.
For infants, the car proves safe enough, scoring maximum points for infants protection both for frontal and side impacts. For pedestrians, the i3 scored maximum points for their legs, in case of an impact but the bonnet scored no points because of its front edge.
The biggest problem though, was recorded in the safety assist area, where the i3 recorded the lowest numbers. The car was penalized for not being equipped with a seatbelt reminder for the rear seats and other systems were not taken into consideration because they are listed as optional features.
Overall, the adult occupant protection was rated at 86%, child occupant protection at 81% whilst the pedestrian protection came in with 57% and safety assist features 55%, giving the i3 an overall rating of 4 stars, mainly because of the last two.
You can also watch the i3 getting trashed on EuroNCAP’s track in the videos below.
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