New Matiz Scores Highest in KIDI Crash Tests

The newly-released Matiz Creative achieved the highest rating (officially known as Grade 1) in front offset crash tests posted by the Korea Insurance Development Institute (KIDI). The institute has almost the same methodology as the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) in the United States and conducts the crash tests at a speed of 64 km/h. The main difference is that KIDI rates the car with four grades, with Grade 1 being the highest and the safest.

GM Daewoo says the Matiz Creative is the first mini-car that manages to score the highest in the KIDI tests, as only four vehicles out of 13 tested between 2006 and 2008 receiving the same rating.

“Safety and the protection of our customers were priorities in the development of our new global mini-vehicle from day one. The test results confirm we are on the right track,” said Dongyoun Sohn, GM Daewoo Chief Engineer for Mini-Vehicles. “With its segment-transcending safety, we’re confident that our global mini will achieve high scores in other mature markets such as the U.S. and Europe.”

Rolled out in August, the new Matiz is powered by a 1.0-liter engine that produces 70 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 92.1 Nm of torque at 4,800 rpm. Mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission, the powerplant burns up to 5.8 liters of gasoline per 100 km (40.5 mpg) in combined cycle.

Safety features include driver, front passenger and side airbags as well as curtain airbags mounted on the roof rails to protect the front and the rear occupants plus EBD, ABS, seatbelt pretensioners, shock-sensitive door locks and rear parking assist sensors.