Aaron Brzozowski
Ford Motor Company has responded quickly to the Mustang’s lackluster two-star safety rating from the Euro New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), releasing an updated model with extra active-safety features and fixes that help it nab an additional safety star from the organization.
According to Motoring Research, the Mustang’s newly-standardized active-safety tech includes a forward collision warning system, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and a lane-keeping system. A deficiency with the old Ford Mustang’s steering wheel airbag, which allowed the crash-test dummy’s head to strike the wheel even after proper deployment, has also been corrected.
“In just a few months, Ford has responded to improve on the initial low safety rating given to the Mustang,” says Matthew Avery, Director of insurer-funded automotive research center Thatcham Research. “Our advice to buyers is to always to opt for a Euro NCAP five star car, so a three star Euro NCAP rating is never a cause for celebration. However, Ford’s rapid addition of a suite of standard-fit safety tech and its prompt updates to improve the performance of the airbags and restraints is to be applauded.”
Apart from the previously-absent active-safety features and steering wheel airbag deficiency, the 2016 Ford Mustang was also cited by Euro NCAP for concerns over rear seat-occupant safety.
