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The Mahindra Scorpio N, celebrated for its 5-star safety rating from Global NCAP, faces a surprising twist in its safety narrative as the Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) delivers a shocking 0-star safety rating. It was quite the news when the Mahindra Scorpio N received a 5-star safety rating from Global NCAP in late-2022. The three-row SUV offering is also being sold in international markets, including Australia and New Zealand. Now, the Scorpio N has been crash tested by the Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), and to the surprise of many, it scored a 0-star safety rating.
Features
1.Global Success vs. Australian Setback: tThe article opens with the stark contrast between the Mahindra Scorpio N's global success and its setback in the Australian market. A brief recap of the SUV's earlier 5-star safety rating from Global NCAP sets the stage for the surprising turn of events in the Australian crash test.
2. Adult Occupant Protection: The core of the article dives into the detailed breakdown of the Australian ANCAP's evaluation of the Scorpio N's adult occupant protection. With a score of 17.67 out of 40 points (44 percent), the SUV's performance is characterized as a mixed bag. The frontal offset test findings reveal stability in the passenger compartment but raise red flags concerning weak protection for the driver's chest and inadequate safeguarding of the rear passenger's head, neck, and chest in full frontal impacts at 50 kmph.
3. Critical Insights from Crash Tests: The article meticulously analyzes each aspect of the crash tests conducted by ANCAP, including the SUV's performance in the side impact test at 60 kmph and the oblique pole test. While the Scorpio N shines in certain areas, achieving full marks in the side impact test and scoring well in the oblique pole test, it faces significant setbacks in the far side impact test (0 out of 4 points).
4. Comparative Analysis with Global NCAP: A comparative analysis with the earlier Global NCAP rating raises questions about the consistency of safety standards across different testing bodies.
5. Industry Implications: The unexpected 0-star safety rating for the Mahindra Scorpio N in Australia has broader implications for the automotive industry.
Child Occupant Protection: Decent Scores with a Caveat
ANCAP rated the Mahindra Scorpio N way better for child occupant protection, handing it 39.27 out of 49 points for a respectable 80 percent. The frontal offset test, however, revealed a marginal safety rating for the 10-year-old-child dummy's neck and chest. Furthermore, ANCAP issued a caution, highlighting the absence of top tether anchorages in specific seating positions, rendering the vehicle unsuitable for transporting young children in those areas. It also mentioned that the SUV does not come with a child presence detection system. Another issue highlighted by the ANCAP test was that the child restraints could not be correctly installed using ISOFIX anchorages as the seat trim interfered with it.
Vulnerable Road User Protection: Areas of Concern
Scoring 14.94 out of 63 (23 percent) in vulnerable road user protection, the Scorpio N raised eyebrows. ANCAP identified marginal or adequate protection offered by the bonnet to a pedestrian's head but reported weaknesses on the front of the bonnet, the base of the windscreen, and the stiff pillars. Poor ratings extended to pelvis, femur, and lower leg protection, with ANCAP noting the absence of autonomous emergency braking (AEB).
Safety Assist: Zero Rating for the Absence of ADAS Features
Lacking any Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) features, the Mahindra Scorpio N received a resounding zero out of 18 in the safety assist section.
Addressing the Discrepancy: A Future Outlook
So, how did a vehicle like the Mahindra Scorpio N, which secured a commendable 5-star safety rating in the Global NCAP crash test, go on to score 0 stars in the ANCAP evaluation? It’s not that their testing criteria is overly harsh, but rather a technicality. In Australia, the presence of autonomous driver assists became mandatory for all new cars from March 2023. Mahindra had found a loophole in the compliance requirements and was able to take the Scorpio N on sale without any ADAS.
While safety features alone are not representative of the true occupant protection offered by a car, these harsh measures are in place to ensure carmakers update their models to offer new technologies and not hide behind cost cutting practices. The same approach will soon be applied by the Indian authorities once it becomes mandatory for all new cars to come with 6 airbags minimum. Looking ahead, Mahindra plans to enhance the Scorpio N's safety profile by introducing ADAS features, aligning with the evolving industry standards set to become compulsory for all cars sold from 2025 onwards. Presently, the XUV700 stands as Mahindra's flagship offering with autonomous driving capabilities in India.