Euro NCAP: Q5, Jazz, i20, Soul and 3008 Achieve 5-Star Rating, Suzuki Alto gets only 3-Stars

European car safety testing body Euro-NCAP has announced its latest batch of results for six new cars. Five of these models, the Audi Q5, Honda Jazz, Hyundai i20, Kia Soul and Peugeot 3008 received Euro NCAP's maximum five star award while Suzuki's made-in-India Alto scored only three stars, its rating limited by its performance in adult occupant protection, child protection and safety assistance technologies. Euro NCAP made a special note on the Honda Jazz and the Hyundai i20 as both cars managed to achieve a high score in pedestrian safety.

"We would like to commend the Honda Jazz and the Hyundai i20 for their impressive pedestrian scores that not only meet current requirements, but also meet Euro NCAP's future requirements," Euro NCAP said in a statement.

All six vehicles were tested with Euro NCAP's new overall rating scheme that was introduced in 2009 and covers Adult Occupant Protection, Child Occupant Protection, Pedestrian Protection and a new area of assessment, Safety Assist. Under the new testing regime, vehicles are awarded a single overall score from one to five stars with the overall rating being based on the car's performance in each of the four main areas and the scores are weighted with respect to each other.

Video: 2009 Suzuki Alto Mini

Suzuki performed the global debut of its all-new Alto mini car at the Paris show. If you were expecting to see a production version of the A-Star Concept that made a splash at last year’s Tokyo Show, then you’d definitely be disappointed with the outcome. At any rate, measuring just 3.5 meters in length the 2009 Alto is powered by the same three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine that’s already in the Splash delivering an average fuel economy of 4.5 lt /100km or 52.2 mpg US. Watch the video after the jump. -Continued

2009 Suzuki Alto fully Revealed

Revealed for the first time at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, the 2009 Alto is the fifth and smallest member of Suzuki’s European lineup. The all-new Alto has an overall length of 3,500mm, width of 1,600mm, height of 1,470mm and a wheelbase of 2,360mm, so it’s roughly the same size as the Fiat 500. Suzuki’s new mini car is powered by a three cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine with an output of 68 PS that was initially launched on the Splash. Fuel consumption is low at 4.5 lt /100km or 52.2 mpg US / 62.7 mpg UK on the combined cycle while CO2 emissions are 103g/km. -Continued

When the new Alto goes on sale in Europe during the first quarter of 2009 it will be offered with a standard five-speed manual transmission and optionally with a four-speed automatic transmission. According to the Japanese automaker's officials, Suzuki aims to achieve annual sales of 60,000 units of its Indian-built minicar in Europe.

Nissan Pixo: New Affordable Mini Car Made in India to Debut in Paris

Along with the revised 2009 Note mini MPV –see photos and details here- Nissan will also stage the global debut of its all-new mini car, the Pixo at this year’s Paris Motor Show. Built in collaboration with Suzuki Motor Corporation in Delhi, India, the Pixo is essentially a rebadged and restyled version of the new Suzuki Alto. Although hasn’t released pricing yet, the Japanese carmaker supports that when the Pixo goes on sale in Europe in spring 2009, it will be offered at ‘an extremely accessible price’. -Continued

Measuring 3,565 mm long, 1,470 mm tall and 1,600 mm wide with a wheelbase of 2,360 mm, Nissan’s Pixo is roughly the same size as Fiat’s Panda mini car. According to Nissan, five-door hatchback can accommodate four passengers with comfort. he Pixo will be offered with an efficient three cylinder 1.0-litre engine matted to a standard 5-speed manual gearbox while buyers can also opt for a full four-speed automatic.