ANCAP SAFETY, Australasia’s independent voice on vehicle safety, has awarded a five-star safety rating to the BYD SEALION 6 plug-in hybrid (PHEV), which arrived in Australia and New Zealand earlier this year. the BYD SEALION 6 demonstrated solid all-round safety performance. Its ANCAP safety rating is based on results obtained from testing of the battery electric equivalent sold in Europe, the BYD SEAL-U. Additional tests on PHEV variants were also undertaken, including an additional frontal offset (MPDB) test and an oblique pole test.

Results from the MPDB test of the PHEV variant mirrored those achieved by the battery electric variant, with high levels of driver and front passenger protection. Full points were recorded for critical body regions with the exception of the driver’s lower legs which were assessed as Adequate.

In assessing vehicle-to-vehicle compatibility, the BYD SEALION 6 presented a moderate risk to oncoming vehicles in the frontal offset test. A 3.82 point penalty out of 8.00 points was applied.

In the full width frontal test, maximum points were achieved for protection of the rear passenger. Protection of the driver’s chest was Adequate.

In the oblique pole test conducted on the PHEV, Good protection was offered to the head, abdomen and pelvis of the driver. An Adequate level of protection was recorded for the driver’s chest. This chest protection result is slightly poorer than that achieved by the battery electric variant, which was assessed as Good.

The BYD SEALION 6 is fitted with an autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system capable of detecting and reacting to vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. Testing of this system showed Good performance in AEB Pedestrian, AEB Cyclist and AEB Motorcycle test scenarios, with collisions avoided or mitigated in most tests. Performance in reverse (AEB Backover) scenarios was Marginal. The SEALION 6 is fitted with a cyclist anti-dooring system that provides information if a bicycle is approaching from the rear, however the information was not sufficiently early to be awarded points for this function.

“The BYD stable continues to offer high levels of safety to its customers, with the SEALION 6 now joining the DOLPHIN, SEAL and ATTO 3 as five-star vehicles,” said ANCAP Chief Executive Officer, Carla Hoorweg.

Full details on the performance of the BYD SEALION 6 can be viewed here.

MEDIA NOTE

Subaru Crosstrek, Subaru Impreza & Jeep Avenger

ANCAP’s European counterpart organisation, Euro NCAP, has published safety ratings for Subaru Crosstrek, Subaru Impreza, and Jeep Avenger vehicles sold into the European market. Consumers should note that these Euro NCAP safety ratings do not apply to vehicles sold in Australia and New Zealand and vehicles supplied in these markets are currently unrated.

Subaru Australia has advised that the safety specification of Crosstrek and Impreza vehicles sold in Europe and tested by Euro NCAP is different to the specification currently sold in Australia and New Zealand. ANCAP will look to determine locally-applicable safety ratings for the Subaru Crosstrek and Subaru Impreza upon receipt of technical information from Subaru and local vehicle assessment.

ANCAP is working to determine the safety specification and safety performance of the Jeep Avenger supplied in Australia and New Zealand.