Volkswagen
Golf 4
| Front and side impact rating |
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Pedestrian test rating |
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Test Scores: Front 10(63%) Side 15(83%) Overall 25(74%) Pedestrian 17(47%)
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The
Volkswagen Golf's structure performed well in frontal- and
side-impact tests. One of the child restraints tested was
based on a new system (ISOFIX) but installation in the car
was problematic. VW has told Euro NCAP that all problems
have been resolved and ECE approval should be granted on
May 20. Pedestrian protection, though, was rather
unbalanced – it was above average for the head test
sites but needed attention for the upper and lower legs or
bonnet leading edge and bumper. |
Impact
Protection
|
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 |
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| Driver
Front Impact |
Passenger
Front Impact |
Driver
Side Impact |
|
Frontal
Impact
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| The
passenger compartment remained stable during the impact,
showing relatively low levels of intrusion. The driver's
airbag worked well, providing stable contact for his head.
Test results for the passenger's chest were worse than for
the driver's, so these were used. Volkswagen has inserted
a composite metal and foam pad within the steering column
shroud which should prevent concentrated loading on the
driver's knees. It was not capable of preventing high
loads being transmitted to his upper legs. |
Side
Impact
|
|
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| The
seat-mounted side airbag provided padding for the driver's
chest and abdomen. Protection for his chest and abdomen
was adequate and for his pelvis, good. His head lightly
struck the central door pillar and seat belt loop. The
door pillar trim cover contained energy-absorbing padding
which should help to protect the head if the contact was
more severe. |
Child
Restraint
|
|
|
| One
conventional and one ISOFIX-type restraint were fitted.
ISOFIX is designed to provide more rigid support for the
restraint than a conventional design using the car's
belts. Difficulties were experienced with this
pre-production restraint, however. Its mountings were
difficult to engage correctly and the indicator showing it
was properly fitted was difficult to see and misleading.
The rear belts had automatic locking for use on
conventional restraints. However, there was no instruction
label on the belt so this feature was not used. There was
also a text label advising occupants that a passenger
airbag was fitted, but it did not warn against using a
rearward-facing child restraint in that seat location. |
Pedestrian
Protection
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| Head
protection for child and adult pedestrians was better than
average. Leg protection needs more work by the designers
and was poor at all bumper and bonnet leading edge sites. |
Model
history and safety equipment
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| The
Mk4 Golf was launched last October and UK sales begin in
May. Driver and passenger front airbags, belt
pre-tensioners, anti-lock brakes and power steering are
standard on all cars sold in the EU. Side-impact airbags
will be fitted as standard to all cars ordered from May
21. |
| Body
type |
5-door
hatchback |
| Model
year |
1998 |
| Kerb
weight |
1140
kg |
|
