The Tata Zest has scored a 4-star rating in adult occupant protection and 2-star for child protection in a round of crash tests conducted by the Global NCAP as part of #SaferCarsforIndia campaign.
The Zest was able to achieve the 4-star rating following an enhancement of its safety quotient with the addition of two airbags and two pretensioners.
Initially, the standard non-airbag version of the Zest received a zero star score for adult occupant protection and one star for child occupant protection.
However, the Global NCAP offered Tata Motors the opportunity to test another version of the Zest with more safety features as has been the case with other manufacturers. Accepting the opportunity, Tata introduced a structural improvement to the entire Zest range and the Global NCAP tested the new version with optional airbags. Tata also selected other child restraint systems for the airbag version, improving the rear seat child occupant protection.
Encouraged by the scores, Tata Motors has announced that the improvements made to the structure will be brought to the entire vehicle range for both airbag and non-airbag versions.
Commenting on the results, David Ward, Secretary General of Global NCAP, said, “It is encouraging to see a major Indian brand improving the safety of their models. We strongly encourage Indian consumers to opt for the much safer 4-star rated option. We also urge Tata to consider making the two airbag version of the Zest their basic model.”
"The concept of star rating should not be limited to compliance, but should be taken as the challenge of producing a safe vehicle that would have the ability to support the avoidance of a crash, limiting the injury to vehicle occupants and that of people outside the vehicle in case of a crash," said Rohit Baluja, president, Institute of Road Traffic Education.