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Introduction
In late 2022, the Mahindra Scorpio N made headlines by achieving a remarkable 5-star safety rating from the Global New Car Assessment Programme (Global NCAP) and this three-row SUV, a symbol of Mahindra's commitment to safety extended its market presence to international arenas including Australia and New Zealand. However, a recent crash test conducted by the Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) yielded unexpected results, revealing a 0-star safety rating for the Scorpio N and this contrasting outcome has sparked inquiries into the intricacies of safety assessments and the roadmap for Mahindra's future safety initiatives.
Adult Occupant Protection: A Spectrum of Results
The evaluation conducted by ANCAP yielded a nuanced result in the field of adult occupant protection and the Scorpio N secured 17.67 out of 40 points, corresponding to a modest 44 percent. Notably equipped with 6 airbags, the SUV showcased stability in the passenger compartment during the frontal offset test. However, concerns arose during the full frontal impact test, highlighting weaknesses in protecting the driver's chest and the rear passenger's head, neck, and chest. Some aspects of the test were rated favorably despite these reservations highlighting the difficulty of safety evaluations.
The Scorpio N exhibited resilience in the side impact test at 60 kmph, securing full marks, and garnered 5.31 points out of 6 in the oblique pole test. However, challenges emerged in the far side impact test (0 out of 4 points), coupled with poor front seat protection against whiplash injuries in rear crash scenarios. Notably, the SUV was not subjected to far-side impact testing adding nuances to the overall evaluation.
Child Occupant Protection: A Respectable Yet Caveated Score
ANCAP acknowledged the Scorpio N's commendable performance in child occupant protection, awarding it 39.27 out of 49 points (80 percent). Despite this, the frontal offset test revealed a marginal safety rating for the 10-year-old child dummy's neck and chest. ANCAP issued cautions about the absence of top tether anchorages in specific seating positions, rendering those areas unsuitable for young children. The absence of a kid presence detection system and the challenges associated with accurately installing child restraints utilizing ISOFIX anchorages because of seat trim interference were two other issues.
Vulnerable Road User Protection: Identifying Areas of Vulnerability
In evaluating vulnerable road user protection, the Scorpio N raised concerns by scoring 14.94 out of 63 (23 percent). ANCAP identified areas of marginal or adequate protection by the bonnet to a pedestrian's head but highlighted weaknesses in the front of the bonnet, the base of the windscreen, and the stiff pillars. Low scores also applied to the protection of the femur, pelvis, and lower legs highlighting the need for improvements and the absence of autonomous emergency braking (AEB) further contributed to the overall rating.
Safety Assist: ADAS Features Not Provided = Zero
The Scorpio N faced a resounding zero out of 18 in the safety assist section due to the absence of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) features and this stark rating underscored the SUV's limitations in adopting essential autonomous driver assists aligning with evolving global safety standards.
Addressing the Discrepancy: A Future Outlook
The apparent discrepancy in safety ratings stems from a technicality rather than an overly harsh testing criteria. In Australia, the mandate for the presence of autonomous driver assists for all new cars became effective in March 2023. Mahindra, recognizing this requirement, capitalized on a compliance loophole, allowing the Scorpio N to be sold without ADAS and this strategic maneuver, while compliant emphasizes the need for automotive manufacturers to adapt to evolving standards across diverse markets.
Safety features alone do not comprehensively represent occupant protection, but stringent measures are in place to ensure manufacturers embrace new technologies. The Indian authorities are poised to adopt a similar approach, mandating a minimum of 6 airbags for all new cars in the near future.
Looking Ahead: Mahindra's Commitment to Safety
Mahindra's response to the contrasting safety ratings involves a forward-looking commitment to enhancing the Scorpio N's safety profile. Plans are underway to introduce ADAS features, aligning with the evolving industry standards set to become compulsory for all cars sold from 2025 onwards and this strategic decision reflects Mahindra's dedication to continually improving safety measures and aligning with global safety norms.
Conclusion: A Lesson in Dynamic Safety Standards
A lesson on the shifting nature of safety regulations and the necessity for automakers to adapt to changing regional requirements can be learned from the story of the Mahindra Scorpio N's disparate safety ratings. As the automotive industry develops this case emphasizes how important it is to continue adhering to local laws and seeking comprehensive safety measures. Astute consumers are presented with the Scorpio N by Mahindra as a more dependable and secure option, in addition to solving urgent problems through its focus on enhancing safety features.