In September, we reported that Euro NCAP, which deals with the safety inspection and evaluation of vehicles sold in Europe, will test heavy-duty trucks. The organization recently published its first official assessment, based on which it is even possible to establish a “power order” between certain types. A total of nine models manufactured and developed in Europe were tested, which are mostly used in long-distance or regional transport.
On the tests a Volvo Trucks products were the best, as both the Volvo FH Aero presented this year (pictured below) and the FM model received the five-star rating. For both types, the efficiency of the driving support systems, which pay special attention to vulnerable road users, was highlighted. Thanks to this, they also earned the CitySafe certification.
The second was Scania, which is also a Swedish manufacturer. The company from Södertalje received a four-star rating with the G-series. The R-series presented in 2016, on the other hand, received a worse rating, three stars. In the case of the former, safe driving and proper collision avoidance were emphasized the most. The Renault Trucks T tractor unit also earned four stars, for which the blind spot monitor function, which draws the driver’s attention to cyclists when turning right, was praised.
The Mercedes-Benz Actros L earned three stars, but the organizers of the test specifically highlighted that Daimler Trucks did not provide a test vehicle, so they tried a version put on the market in July 2024. They noted that although it is one of the tallest vehicles in the segment, it still received good ratings for safe driving. They also pointed out that the Actros L does not lack collision avoidance assistants at all, but some functions are limited.
The MAN TGX also scored only three stars, but it is suspected that a model that was not equipped with a digital rearview mirror was tested. It is important to note that the Bavarian manufacturer did not provide a test vehicle to Euro NCAP either. They praised the wide range of driver support systems and the excellent lane keeping system. Similar to the mentioned German brands, the Dutch DAF finished more in the middle. Although the low belt line and the platform window were emphasized in the XF, it managed to collect very few points in terms of collision avoidance.
One of the biggest surprises of the test was the Iveco S-Way, which arrived in 2019 with a completely new cab to replace the Stralis. This model has earned only one star, which is equivalent to insufficient. The organizers noted that the Italian manufacturer did not provide a test vehicle either. According to their reasoning, they wouldn’t even have known, since copies that comply with the latest safety regulations (GSR2) will only be released on the market later in the year. So presumably they got the one star because of an earlier variant.
The tests were carried out at Euro NCAP-accredited facilities in Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Italy, among others.
Source: www.vezess.hu
