India-bound Renault Captur scores 4/5 in LatinNCAP crash test [Video]

Captur is available with 4 airbags, ABS and ISOFIX child seat anchor points as standard in Brazil.

The Brazilian-spec Renault Captur underwent Latin NCAP's crash tests and emerged with 4 stars out of 5. The model tested came equipped with four airbags, ABS, ISOFIX child seat anchor points and ESC as standard.

According to Latin NCAP's report, the protection offered to the driver and passenger head and neck in frontal impact tests was good, while chest protection for driver was only marginal. Both front occupants knees showed good protection without reaching dangerous structures. The footwell area and body shell was rated as stable. In the side impact test, the side head-thorax airbags offered good protection to the occupant's head, abdomen and pelvis, but only adequate protection to the thorax.

The ESC was also tested and meets the regulatory requirements of Latin NCAP. However, the pole test has not been performed. As for child protection, the Captur received three stars as it was not able to prevent forward movement during the frontal impact just beyond the excursion limits.

Alejandro Furas, Secretary General of Latin NCAP said:

The Captur shows the potential of local industry to produce and offer safer cars that exceed governmental requirements and that perform good with today’s tougher protocol. Renault should be proud to show their consumers the crash test result of the Captur. We encourage Renault and other manufacturers to keep improving their model ranges to achieve four and five stars.

It's unclear if the model to be sold in India will conform to the same safety standards given that safety regulations in India aren't as stringent or tough, and Renault has made changes to the safety specification like installing a smaller airbag on the Duster. Addition of 6 airbags and ESC will drive up the India-spec Captur's final cost, but the safe configuration must at least be an option to Indian buyers.

Also Read: Renault Kwid for Latin America revealed ahead of debut tomorrow

It's likely that the India-spec Captur could come equipped with dual airbags and ABS as standard across the range, while the range-topping model may add side airbags and ESC, given the Captur's expected premium positioning in India's SUV segment.