Bharat NCAP's Latest Crash Test Results: Anticipation And InsightsBharat NCAP‘s recent teaser on social media has set the stage for the imminent announcement of its latest crash test results, igniting anticipation among automotive enthusiasts and safety-conscious consumers alike. This teaser hints at the forthcoming unveiling of safety ratings that prioritize road safety, following the footsteps of the inaugural crash test report in December 2023, which lauded Tata Harrier and Tata Safari with perfect 5-star safety ratings.
The latest social media post by Bharat NCAP underscores the imminent release of safety ratings, promising insights that place paramount importance on road safety. While the list of models submitted for crash tests remains undisclosed, industry insiders suggest that major automakers such as Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, and Mahindra have each submitted three models for evaluation by Bharat NCAP. Confirmation of this submission was provided by Rahul Bharti, Head of Corporate Affairs at Maruti Suzuki India Limited, during a recent earnings report.
The eagerly awaited set of results is slated for release in June, marking six months since the announcement of crash test results for Tata Motors’ twin SUVs. While the inclusion of the Maruti Swift in this batch of tests remains uncertain, there are compelling reasons why it could be a strong contender for evaluation.
The third-generation India-spec Maruti Swift faced scrutiny in December 2022 when Global NCAP awarded it a dismal 1-star safety rating for both adult and child occupancy. This rating tarnished the hatchback’s reputation, triggering widespread criticism on social media platforms. In response, Maruti Suzuki has an opportunity to redeem itself with the impending launch of the 2024 Swift, which is based on a revamped version of the existing Heartect platform.
Although the Japanese iteration of the new Swift secured an impressive 4-star safety rating in the Japan NCAP crash test, boasting a commendable 90 percent score, disparities between the Indian and Japanese models are expected. Notably, the Japan-spec Swift benefited from a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), which may not be fully integrated into the India-spec variant.
Moreover, key questions regarding the stability of the body shell in frontal impact crashes and the child occupant protection score remain unanswered for the new-gen Swift. Therefore, a Bharat NCAP evaluation of the new Swift holds the promise of shedding light on Maruti’s commitment to enhancing safety standards in the Indian automotive landscape.
The forthcoming release of Bharat NCAP’s crash test results, potentially featuring the Maruti Swift, underscores the pivotal role of safety evaluations in shaping consumer perceptions and driving industry-wide advancements in vehicle safety standards.