Latin NCAP Rating: Ford Ka (Aka Figo) Adequately Safe For Adult And Child Passengers

The Reworked Ford Figo christened as the KA in Latin American markets has shown significant improvement in Latin NCAP crash test ratings. The hatchback has displayed 3 stars result for adult occupancy and four stars result for child occupancy. Reportedly, the 2017 KA had received zero ratings for adult occupant protection a year earlier. This prompted Ford cars to request a fresh assessment of the reworked 2018 model bound for Latin American Roads. Quite interestingly, Hyundai Accent (Latin America Model) received zero safety ratings during the same tests this year.

What is the Latin NCAP crash test?

The Latin New Car Assessment Program came into effect in 2010 as an independent system for evaluation of safety and crashworthiness of consumer cars bound for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region. Until now, about eighty cars have been rated under the program. It also has support from the Global New Car Assessment Programme (Global NCAP).

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The KA NCAP TEST Reports

Overall the Ford Figo (Ka in Latin America and the Caribbean) has been found to offer average protection for passengers. It has however succeeded in improving side impact performance for adult occupants which was earlier zero-rated during 2017 tests. But chest protection in case of side impacts remains a concern. Other than this new structural improvement in the B Pillar and addition of shock (energy) absorption elements for side impact ensure adequate adult safety. Child safety has improved considerably on the KA 2018 with significantly improved frontal and side impact elements.

Alejandro Furas, Secretary General of Latin NCAP noted that KA’s safety improvements are encouraging but it is still a far cry from those seen in European versions. Some key highlights from the test that show Ford KA 2018 in poor light include:

• Rear disengaged opened side impact tests.
• Driver Airbags bottomed out on head-on impacts.
• Marginal driver and front passenger protection.
• The absence of electronic stability control.

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Reportedly, the Brazil-spec Figo comes equipped with dual front airbags, ABS, front seatbelt passengers, and Rear Isofix child seat mounts as standard.

The Indian Ford Figo comes equipped only Passenger Airbag, Rear Seat Belts, Side Impact and Front Impact beams, ABS and EBD as standard. ISOFIX Child Seat Mounts, Pretensioners & Force Limiter Seat Belt, Rear Side Airbag are absent. Currently, Ford India prepares for the launch of its Aspire, an updated Figo-based compact sedan, on October 4, 2018. The new Aspire borrows looks and equipment from Figo. It will be powered by the new 96hp, 1.2-litre petrol engine which also powers its sibling i.e the Figo hatchback.