Zero Stars: Watch These Indian-Market Cars Prove What Death Traps They Are

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

Three versions of a Renault hatchback spectacularly failed their frontal crash tests in India, earning them zero out of five stars, even with an available airbag.

It’s food for thought for the 125,000 Indian buyers who placed orders for the subcompact coffin, but the Renault Kwid isn’t alone in flunking Global NCAP testing in that car-hungry country.

The Maruti Suzuki Celerio, Maruti Suzuki Eeco, Mahindra Scorpio and Hyundai Eon also failed to earn a single star, reports Business Standard.

Airbags aside, the main problem with these cheap vehicles is their lack of a rigid bodyshell. Without that protection, there’s little to stop a vehicle from crumpling all the way to the backseat. Global NCAP said the vehicle bodies were unstable, adding that the driver of each vehicle would suffer life-threatening injuries in a similar crash.

The Indian frontal tests were performed at 40 miles per hour. Imagine a head-on collision between two of these vehicles.

In response to its vehicle pooping the safety bed, Renault India stated it was “committed” to complying with the country’s looming 2017 crash test regulations for new vehicles.

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • "scarey" "scarey" on May 18, 2016

    The fact is that the only legitimate function of the government is to PROTECT its citizens from those who practice or threaten violence, theft, fraud, and abuse by other people, and protect its citizens from attack from other countries. Every other activity of the government is unconstitutional, and therefore illegal, no matter what congress, the president, and (increasingly) black-robed perverts on the federal courts deign to decree. Our country will be brought back to reality soon, whether by global or civil war, or by financial collapse. Ever wonder why there was no "gay rights movement" in the 30s or 40s ? It was because people were busy surviving- first, the Great Depression, and then World War II. To quote Bob Dylan, "It's a hard rain gonna fall." .

    • See 5 previous
    • Golden2husky Golden2husky on May 18, 2016

      ...To quote Bob Dylan, “It’s a hard rain gonna fall.” ... And he also said "The Executioner's face is always well hidden"...

  • Zipper69 Zipper69 on May 18, 2016

    Where were we ? Oh, yeah...cars, right.... Anywhoo...I believe these tests are run with empty gas tanks and engines turned off. If that is the case one can only wince at the fiery death awaiting any unfortunate survivor inside these deathtraps. Watching the A pillars pushing the roofline back and up was not a pleasant experience...

  • Tassos A terrible bargain, as are all of Tim's finds, unless they can be had at 1/2 or 1/5th the asking price.For this fugly pig, I would not buy it at any price. My time is too valuable to flip ugly Mitsus.FOr those who know these models, is that silly spoiler in the trunk really functional? And is its size the best for optimizing performance? Really? Why do we never see a GTI or other "hot hatches' and poor man's M3s similarly fitted? Is the EVO trying to pose as a short and fat 70s ROadrunner?Beep beep!
  • Carson D Even Tesla can't make money on EVs anymore. There are far too many being produced, and nowhere near enough people who will settle for one voluntarily. Command economies produce these results. Anyone who thinks that they're smarter than a free market at allocating resources has already revealed that they are not.
  • MaintenanceCosts I wish more vehicles in our market would be at or under 70" wide. Narrowness makes everything easier in the city.
  • El scotto They should be supping with a very, very long spoon.
  • El scotto [list=1][*]Please make an EV that's not butt-ugly. Not Jaguar gorgeous but Buick handsome will do.[/*][*] For all the golf cart dudes: A Tesla S in Plaid mode will be the fastest ride you'll ever take.[/*][*]We have actual EV owners posting on here. Just calmly stated facts and real world experience. This always seems to bring out those who would argue math.[/*][/list=1]For some people an EV will never do, too far out in the country, taking trips where an EV will need recharged, etc. If you own a home and can charge overnight an EV makes perfect sense. You're refueling while you're sleeping.My condo association is allowing owners to install chargers. You have to pay all of the owners of the parking spaces the new electric service will cross. Suggested fee is 100$ and the one getting a charger pays all the legal and filing fees. I held out for a bottle of 30 year old single malt.Perhaps high end apartments will feature reserved parking spaces with chargers in the future. Until then non home owners are relying on public charge and one of my neighbors is in IT and he charges at work. It's call a perk.I don't see company owned delivery vehicles that are EV's. The USPS and the smiley boxes should be the 1st to do this. Nor are any of our mega car dealerships doing this and but of course advertising this fact.I think a great many of the EV haters haven't came to the self-actualization that no one really cares what you drive. I can respect and appreciate what you drive but if I was pushed to answer, no I really don't care what you drive. Before everyone goes into umbrage over my last sentence, I still like cars. Especially yours.I have heated tiles in my bathroom and my kitchen. The two places you're most likely to be barefoot. An EV may fall into to the one less thing to mess with for many people.Macallan for those who were wondering.
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