Mahindra Scorpio N earns five-star GNCAP score under new rules

The Mahindra Scorpio N SUV, launched in the Indian market on August 19, 2022 and already one of the company’s best-sellers, is the latest Mahindra SUV to ace the Global NCAP crash test with a five star rating. It becomes the third made-in-India SUV, after the Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun in October 2022, to get the top ranking under the automotive safety watchdog’s new testing protocol. 

Global NCAP’s updated protocols assess frontal and side impact protection for all tested models, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), pedestrian protection and side impact pole protection assessments are also required for vehicles scoring the highest star ratings.

The Scorpio N scored 29.25 points out of a total of 34 in adult occupant protection tests, resulting in a 5-star rating. GNCAP testers rated the protection offered by the Mahindra Scorpio N to the driver’s and passenger’s head and neck as good. However, protection for the driver’s and passenger’s chest is shown as marginal. 

As per the new testing procedure, in the side impact test with a deformable barrier, the Scorpio N showed good protection to the occupants with a score of 16 points out of a possible  seventeen. The Mahindra SUV received an ‘OK’ rating for the side pole impact tests; however, the chest region of the occupants got a ‘weak’ rating. 

GNCAP’s testers’ note mentions that the bodyshell and the footwell area of the Scorpio N were stable and capable of withstanding further loadings. 

Child occupant crash test rating: 3-star rating
With 28.93 points out of 49 in the child occupant protection tests, the Scorpio received a 3-star rating here. This includes 4.93 points out of 12 for the CRS (child restraint system) installation and the maximum dynamic score of 24. 

GNCAP tested the Scorpio N with dummies of an 18-month-old and a 3-year-old child, both seated facing rearward. They were placed in the car using i-size anchorages and a support leg, and both helped in preventing head exposure in a frontal crash. The CRS also offered full protection in a side impact. 

The testers also noted that the SUV has ISOFIX mounting points in the outer rear seats in the second row.

Commenting on the Mahindra Scorpio N’s performance, Alejandro Furas, Secretary General of Global NCAP said, “Global NCAP congratulates Mahindra on its continuing commitment to safety, achieving five stars for adult occupant protection under our new, more demanding crash test protocols.”

David Ward, Executive President of the Towards Zero Foundation added, “"Indian manufacturers such as Mahindra have clearly demonstrated their ongoing commitment to improving vehicle safety performance. This is very welcome and we look forward to this promising momentum being maintained when Bharat NCAP is launched next year.”

What are the new GNCAP rules? 
Under the new Global NCAP protocols, a vehicle is given a 5-star rating only if it secures the required scores while also conforming to the ESC, pedestrian protection, pole side impact and seat belt reminder requirements of GNCAP.

It also becomes a bit difficult to compare vehicles tested under the old protocols with vehicles tested under the new ones, as the entire process has been overhauled. A star rating under the old protocols is reflective of performance in a front crash test, however, a star rating under the new protocols is reflective of more rounded protection that takes into account side impact as well as active safety like ESC, which helps prevent an accident in the first place.

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