Renault Modus Breaks the Mould

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The Renault Modus Breaks the Mould, not the Passengers!

Proving that small cars can be as safe as bigger models for their occupants.

(Please note that beneath this Euro NCAP press release there is also the press release from Renault. Click here.)

31 August, 2004

The Renault Modus -- which goes on sale next week -- is the first Supermini to secure the maximum 5-star rating in crash tests carried out by Euro NCAP, it was announced today (Tuesday August 31st).

The model also broke new ground by being the first in its class to achieve the coveted 4-star rating for child protection.

The announcement marks a major milestone in car safety design proving that small cars can be as safe as bigger models for their occupants.

Modus has benefited from all Renault's safety expertise and is a fine illustration of the automaker's strategy of 'Safety for All'.

Renault is the only carmaker to have seven vehicles with the coveted 5-star rating in Euro NCAP tests, so confirming its commitment to safety.

Adrian Hobbs, Secretary General of Euro NCAP, the independent body charged with driving home safety improvements by motor manufacturers, said: "A supermini offering 5 star occupant protection will help reduce death and injury on the roads. It proves once and for all that if manufacturers are committed to safety, they can introduce leading-edge safety designs that will protect people in the event of an accident. The Modus rating shows that you don't have to buy a big car to be safe."

Euro NCAP tests showed that the Modus offered a high level of protection to passengers thanks to:

A strong passenger compartment with an efficient energy absorbing front structure
Sophisticated seat belts that detect the impact and tighten to help prevent the wearer from slipping under the lap belt in the impact.
A six airbag system
ISOFIX attachments for child seats

Jacques Faure, Head of Passive Safety at Renault said: "Modus' performance is particularly satisfying as it's more difficult to protect the occupants of a small car. The Euro NCAP rating is the pinnacle of the approach developed by Renault for many years now -- 'Safety For All'. Our aim is to provide maximum safety for front- and rear-seat occupants in all cars, large or small."

Euro NCAP inspectors noted the excellent levels of occupant protection which Modus afforded.

Analysis showed that the damage sustained by Euro NCAP's state of the art crash test dummies demonstrated the effectiveness of its restraint system, with its two-stage adaptive front airbags and double pre-tensioners. The body crumpled so dissipating energy and preventing any engine parts from intruding into the cabin.

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Organisations participating in Euro NCAP include the Departments of Transport of Sweden, The Netherlands, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Catalonia as well as the European Commission, the FIA Foundation, the Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club (ADAC), Thatcham representing the British Motor Insurers and the International Consumer Research and Testing (ICRT) on behalf of the European consumer organisations.

Source: Euro NCAP

Link, here, to a related article on the Euro NCAP system.

MODUS: FIRST EVER FIVE-STAR SMALL CAR IN EURO NCAP TESTS

AND AN UNPRECEDENTED SEVENTH RENAULT TO ACHIEVE THE MAXIMUM FIVE STAR RATING

(Also see: The Renault Modus Breaks the Mould, not the Passengers!, above)

Renault continues to lead the way in providing 'Safety for All' with its New Modus which has just been awarded the maximum five-star rating in independent Euro NCAP crash tests, making it the first five-star small car and the safest in its class, notching 32.84 points out of 37.

As if that isn't enough success, Modus - which hits UK showrooms on 10^th September - also becomes an unprecedented seventh Renault vehicle to achieve the top five-star rating enforcing Renault's leading position in safety as the only manufacturer to have seven vehicles with the coveted five star rating. Modus has benefited from all Renault's safety expertise and is a fine illustration of its strategy of "Safety for All".

At the same time, Modus confirms its family orientation by scoring a best-in-class four stars in child protection.

"Modus' performance is particularly satisfying as it's more difficult to protect the occupants of a small car," says Jacques Faure, Head of Passive Safety at Renault. "The Euro NCAP rating is the result of the approach developed by Renault for many years now – "Safety for all". Our aim is to provide maximum safety for front- and rear-seat occupants in all cars, large or small."

Euro NCAP inspectors noted the excellent levels of occupant protection which Modus afforded. Analysis showed that the damage sustained by dummies demonstrated the effectiveness of its restraint system, with its two-stage adaptive front airbags and double pre-tensioners. The car's structure crumpled perfectly, so dissipating energy and preventing any intrusion into the cabin.

A side-impact 'pole' test, where the vehicle is projected sideways into a vertical barrier simulating a telegraph/utility pole, etc. Photo: Euro NCAP

Small car, great safety

Passive safety in Modus was developed to particularly stringent specifications. Its restraint system was designed to complement the car's structure so as to ensure optimal safety for all occupants, wherever they are seated and whatever the type of impact. The third generation System for Restraint and Protection (SRP3) comprises six airbags: two twin-stage, adaptive airbags in the front seats, two front side airbags and two curtain airbags that protect the heads of front and rear occupants. In the event of a frontal impact, a seat slide sensor enables the SRP3 to adapt to the size of the driver. Front safety belts afford additional protection thanks to their double pre-tensioners and 4kN load limiters that avoid excess pressure on the thorax.

An audible seat belt reminder sounds and an icon on the dash display lights up if drivers forget to fasten their seat belts.

Rear safety belts with pre-tensioners, short, vertically installed belt buckles and a special seat design provide highly-effective anti-submarining protection, that is found in no other car in its category.

Child Protection

Modus offers the Isofix three-point attachment system for side child seats at the rear and rear-facing child seats at the front. Along with the high-performance Renault child seats, it offers unequalled protection for children in that range of cars. Here also, Modus benefited from Renault’s long-time commitment to child protection and was able to score four stars in the Euro NCAP child protection assessment. It was once again the best scoring car in its class.

Reinforced cabin structure

Very High Strength Steel (VHSS) panels and members make Modus' structure very strong on impact. It absorbs the energy released and turns the cabin into a survival cell which safeguards occupants from any intrusion.

To protect occupants in the event of head-on impact, the structure distributes loads through several load paths: the main sidemembers, the lower load path fitted to the subframe and the upper load path at waist level.

On impact, powertrain components (engine, gearbox, battery, casings and accessories) stack and nest together so that the cabin structure can crumple as programmed. The magnesium frame of the steering wheel deforms and the steering column retracts to increase the space for occupants, thus avoiding any hard contact to the chest or the head. The brake pedal collapses to the floor to reduce the risk of lower limb injury, while footwell padding on the driver and passenger sides protects shins and ankles. The Triptic rear seat's fixtures remain secure in all four positions and do not tear free.

In the event of side impact, Modus protects its occupants by means of a stiff centre pillar with programmed deformation. In addition to the low deformation structure, door panels are fitted with padding which protects the pelvis and abdomen of occupants, while side airbags deploy to keep the thorax safe. If the side impact is against a pole or a tree, a curtain airbag also deploys to protect the heads of front and rear occupants.

In the event of rear impact, the spare wheel's attachment system and floor shape prevent it from moving around. If the impact is violent, the spare wheel's tyre is punctured to provide additional crash space.

Star performance at Euro NCAP

With seven five-star cars in Euro NCAP crash tests, ranging from supermini to executive cars, Renault boasts the safest line-up on the automobile market.

-- Espace IV 5 stars, "safest in class" (2003)

-- Vel Satis 5 stars, "safest in class" (2002)

-- Laguna II 5 stars, first 5-star vehicle in segment (2003)

-- Scénic II 5 stars, first 5-star vehicle in segment (2003)

-- Mégane II 5 stars, first 5-star vehicle in segment (2002)

-- Mégane II Coupé-Cabriolet 5 stars, " safest in class " (2004)

-- Modus 5 stars, first supermini "safest in class" (2004)

-- Clio 4 stars (2000)

-- Kangoo 4 stars (2003)

Source: Renault

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