Citroen C3 hatchback scores 0 stars in Latin NCAP crash tests due to unstable structure, weak frontal impact protection, lack of side head protection and seatbelt reminders
In the latest round of crash test results released by Latin NCAP, another Stellantis model has received zero stars. The Citroen C3 compact hatchback was evaluated across a string of crash tests and it came out scoring zero out of five due to unstable structure, weak frontal impact protection, lack of side head protection and seatbelt reminders.
Manufactured in Brazil, the Citroen C3 comes with two frontal airbags and ESC (Electronic Stability Control) as standard. It scored just 30.52 per cent in adult occupant protection, 12.10 per cent in child occupant, 49.74 per cent in pedestrian protection and vulnerable road users and 34.88 per cent in safety assistance.
In the frontal impact class, the hatchback showed weak protection to the driver’s chest and marginal to that of the passenger as the absence of pretensioners comes into play. In addition, the footwell area and the structure were found to be unstable. Latin NCAP did not perform pole impact test as the C3 does not offer standard side head protection even as an option.
Poor performance was seen in the adult’s neck during the whiplash protection test. However, the child occupant showed almost full protection but the dynamic points were affected because of the poor marking of ISOFIX anchorages for CRS (Child Restraint Systems). It has also been observed that the airbag warning marking for the passenger seat did not meet LNCAP standards.
The disconnection of the airbag in the passenger seat position was not possible too. Besides not meeting UN 127 or GTR 9 pedestrian protection regulations, some CRSs failed even in the installation assessment. Pedestrian protection subsystems indicated marginal to good protection for the head with poor protection and weak protection areas closer to the windscreen edge and A-pillar. The pelvis protection of the Citroen C3 was adequate to good and leg protection was just marginal.
Seat Belt Reminder (SBR) in the front seat did not meet Latin NCAP requirements and it is not available for the passenger side and on the rear seat row. Stephan Brodziak, Chairman of Latin NCAP, said: “It is shameful that Stellantis, that knows how to develop safer cars at affordable prices, have designed a car with such poor safety as the Citroen C3. A car of this nature represents an offense to the health and integrity of Latin Americans, who are equally vulnerable in crash or run-over situations as the inhabitants of those countries where Stellantis would never dare to sell a car with such low safety.”