Renault Duster India gets 0 Star Safety Rating - Press Release

1. Renault Duster Scores Zero Stars In Its Basic
Version
In the second setof #SaferCarsForIndia results for 2017,Global NCAP has released the ratings for crash tests
conducted on the RenaultDuster in its basic version withoutairbags and atthe requestof the manufacturer in the
version with an optional driver airbag.
The Duster,which is sold withoutairbags in its basic version,recorded a disappointing zero stars for adultoccupant
protection.The crash test showed thatdue to the lack of airbags the driver injuries would have been unacceptably
high.The Duster also scored 2 stars for rear seat child occupantprotection.
Following the test Renaultasked Global NCAP to test a version of the Duster which included a single driver airbag.
This increased the score to 3 stars for adult occupantprotection,child protection remained the same at2 stars.
Global NCAP decided to further investigate the Duster as a single airbag version was tested byLatin NCAP in 2015
where it scored 4 stars.It was found that the
Indian Duster airbag was smaller than thatof the Latin American Duster.
The difference in airbag size brings corresponding differences in protection.With the Indian Duster the head of the
driver did not contact the airbag in the centre as it should,exposing the head to impacton the steering wheel and
therefore more risk of injuries.This can be seen when the head reaches maximum frontexcursion and compresses
the airbag.The Latin American Duster airbag on the other hand was a larger size and covered the head and chestof
the driver. With the head in maximum forward excursion the airbag still shows containmentto the head protecting it
from the steering wheel.
These differences explain the difference in protection level and why the Latin American version scored 4 stars and
the Indian version only 3 stars under same testing assessmentand criteria.
David Ward, Secretary General of Global NCAP said:

2. “It is troubling that during the UN Road Safety Week we yet again encounter a zero star car in our crash testing in
India. Renaultproduce the Duster in a number ofmarkets and yet it seems contentto provide a version for India
which falls so far shorton safety.
“The version of the Duster with an airbag scores three stars,butthis too fell shortas it was fitted with a smaller
airbag.A model with a correctly sized airbag should be provided as standard.”
RohitBaluja,Presidentof the Institute of Road Traffic Education said:
“The maximum speed limitfor passenger cars in India has been notified as high as 100kph.Highways in India are
witnessing very high speeds ofLightMotor Vehicles (LMV) and therefore it is of utmostimportance thatour new
generation cars are builtto the highestsafetystandards.The RenaultDuster has been created as a sporty vehicle
and drivers tend to drive these at high speeds.Renaultmustmake the Duster with an airbag as standard,as they do
in other parts of the world.Indian consumers should no longer be subjectto second class status on occupant
protection from global manufacturers who achieve high levels ofsafety in other markets.
“The Prime Minister’s call for ‘Made in India’ should be well respected by car manufacturers to demonstrate the that
Indian cars are as safe as the bestproduced in the developed world.”