[Tsunamarama]

Each year the Euro NCAP crafts additional tests in order to constantly hold vehicles to the highest standards of safety, and each year the organization reveals the vehicle from each class that performed best when put through those tests. This year the Euro NCAP added the full width frontal test which had a significant influence on the fitment of rear seatbelt pretensioners and load liners across all sectors. The proliferation of autonomous braking technology continued and tests for the presence and efficacy of such systems continued to weigh heavily on vehicles' ratings.

The Infiniti Q30 performed better than all of its rivals in the Small Family class. It did well in all areas of the test, but it did particularly well in the pedestrian protection metric due to its active bonnet. By this measure the Q30 was actually one of the best performers of all vehicles for the year. It scored a 91%.

The Q30 received an 81% score when it came to safety assist equipment, an 84% for the adult occupant protection metric, and overall achieved the maximum 5-star rating. Infiniti certainly benefited from some Mercedes-Benz engineering since the Q30 is based on the Mercedes-Benz A-class, which also received the maximum 5-star rating from the Euro NCAP.

Take a look at this video to see the winners in each category along with their crash tests. The winners are listed below by class.

Large Off-Road --> Volvo XC90
Small Off-Road --> Mercedes-Benz GLC
Large Family --> Jaguar XE
Small Family --> Infiniti Q30
Supermini --> Honda Jazz
Large MPV --> Ford Galaxy
Small MPV --> Volkswagen Touran
Roadster Sport --> Mazda MX-5

Next year the Euro NCAP will add an assessment of AEB Pedestrian systems. Many premium vehicles already contain this type of technology, but others may have to make strides to maintain scores that they deem appropriate.

 

[infinite]

That's quite impressive and it benefits us even more being buyers in an entry-level luxury segment. Infiniti is sure to see this be reflected in their sales since families looking for an entry-level practical luxury vehicle should have it right up their on their list.

 

[alcatraz]

There are plenty of options at this point in this segment, so winning this is a good sign. I'm not sure it will do too much for sales, but in terms of seeing how Infiniti is doing at making products that are comparable to its German rivals, it's awesome. And who doesn't like being safe?

 

[Indiana Jones]

It scored very high on the pedestrian crash tests and when I re-watched the Q30's crash test video I noticed how flexible the bumper really is.

 

[infinite]

It scored very high on the pedestrian crash tests and when I re-watched the Q30's crash test video I noticed how flexible the bumper really is.

That flexibility will help a lot in the city as people tend to run into situations where the bumper is touched... which will in us not getting spider webs on the bumper from impact. I'm guessing its some urethane hybrid or something

 

[Tsunamarama]

I thought the main feature of the hood that makes it safer was a release function so that when it hits someone the hood moves with them instead of just continuing to crash into them. Something like that. Is the material also a defining part of the pedestrian safety rating?

 

[alcatraz]

Hhere is what Euro NCAP has to say about the active bonnet.

The Q30 has an 'active' bonnet. Sensors in the bumper detect when a pedestrian has been struck and actuators lift the bonnet to create more clearance between the surface and the rigid structures in the engine compartment. Infiniti showed that the system worked robustly for a variety of pedestrian statures and over a range of speeds. Accordingly, the system was tested in the deployed (raised) position. The protection provided to the head of a struck pedestrian was almost entirely good or adequate, with poor results recorded only at the base of the windscreen and on the stiff windscreen pillars. The protection provided to pedestrians' legs by the bumper and that of the pelvic region was good at all points tested, and maximum points were scored for these aspects of the assessment.

Official Infiniti Q30 2015*safety rating

 

[infinite]

I can imagine the type of metal used as a prime thing to concern since one that acts as more of a cushion does help rather than something that is solid and offers no range of flexibility.

 

[Indiana Jones]

Think the lifted bonnet will become the new standard for vehicles since Infiniti scored so well with it?

 

[infinite]

There's a good chance it will, or it might be an option for car makers if design can't meet a certain requirement and due to the barrier these pedestrian rules create in design, it's a good direction for car makers to go, probably saves them a lot of trouble in the R&D process.

 

[Tsunamarama]

Infiniti may have the patent for that technology too, and that would be great for them because if other companies want or need to use it in their vehicles, Infiniti would make a profit from the licensing fee. Patents are a huge source of revenue for companies that are involved in research and development.

 

[Indiana Jones]

Doubt other companies would pay infiniti for it. They've gone so long without a pedestrian safety hood and probably don't see a need for one anytime soon.

 

[Tsunamarama]

A company like Volvo may be interested, unless they develop their own instead.

If the NHTSA or IIHS make pedestrian safety more heavily weighted or difficult to score well on, we may also see automakers place a greater degree of importance on the technology.

 

[infinite]

I have a feeling this is one of those systems that's easier to develop then to partner up with a company on, it's just too low on the scale. The resources it would require would be minimal.

 

[way up north]

It scored very high on the pedestrian crash tests and when I re-watched the Q30's crash test video I noticed how flexible the bumper really is.

The bumper is plastic injection molded quite standard it's the crumple zone behind it that's the clever bit....rigid but flexible at the same time...clever engineering, the hood is aluminium and super light

 

[Indiana Jones]

If anyone is interested, I found pictures of what the Q30 look like post crash test. The both look like there's minimal cabin intrusion.

 

[Answer42]

The side crumpling doesn't actually look that bad but the front looks demolished. I heard the IIHS safety tests are harder on cars than that of the NCAP so it'll be interesting to see their safety data.

 

[Indiana Jones]

Infiniti has generally scored pretty well in the IIHS tests including the small overlap front crash test. Cabin intrusion is kept to a minimum and even though the Q30 uses a Mercedes platform, I assume it would still score pretty well in the IIHS tests.

would have been great to see pictures of the interior after the side crash test to see how far the door bends into the cabin.

 

[Answer42]

It actually doesn't look like the side door has collapsed all that much but it's hard to tell from a picture and not up close to it. I trust the IIHS and NCAP results so it should be safe enough.

 

[Answer42]

I noticed that there isn't a Side Pelvis Airbag in teh Infiniti Q30. Is that not an important airbag for passenger safety?