Chevrolet Spark
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Overall rating: Four stars
Adult occupation score: 81%
Child protection score: 78%
Pedestrian protection: 43%
Safety assist: 43%
Adult occupant
The passenger compartment remained stable in the frontal impact. Readings from dummies indicated good protection of the head and neck, but deflection of the chest indicated marginal protection for the chest of both driver and passenger.
Structures in the dashboard posed a risk of injury to the knees and femurs of both the driver and the passenger. The Spark scored maximum points in the side barrier impact. In the more severe side pole test, protection of the chest was adequate and that of other body regions was good.
Marginal protection was provided against whiplash injurues in the event of rear impact.
Child occupant
Based on readings from crash-test dummies in the frontal and side barrier tests, the Spark scored maximum points for its protection of the dummy representing the three-year-old.
Both dummies were sat in forward-facing child restraints. Forward movement of the head was well controlled in each case. In the side impact, the dummies were properly contained by the protective shell of their restraints.
The passenger airbag can be disabled to allow a rearward-facing restraint to be used in that seating position. However, information provided to the driver regarding the status of the airbag is not clear. A permanently attached label warns of the dangers of using a rearward-facing child seat in that position without first disabling the airbag.
Pedestrian
The bumper scored maximum points for its protection of pedestrians' legs. However, the front edge of the bonnet offered poor protection and scored no points. In those areas likely to be struck by the head of an adult, the bonnet offered predominantly poor protection.
Safety assist
The Spark has a seatbelt reminder for the driver, front passenger and rear seats as standard. Electronic stability control (ESC) is not currently available on any variant. Chevrolet advises Euro NCAP that ESC will become available on some versions during the course of 2010.
