When Mahindra’s Scorpio N underwent its first global NCAP test in December 2022, it achieved an impressive 5-star safety rating, grabbing attention for all the right reasons. However, a year later, the SUV is back in the headlines, but this time for a shocking reason – it received a dismal zero-star rating in the recent ANCAP crash test. How did the same car manage such drastically different ratings under distinct safety regulations? Let’s delve into the details.
To understand the situation, let’s rewind a bit. The Australian Government mandated Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) as a crucial Advanced Driver-Assistance System (ADAS) for all new cars post-March 1, 2023. However, a regulatory loophole allowed vehicles to be registered for sale before this date without the mandated safety features.
Mahindra took advantage of this loophole and registered the Scorpio N before the deadline, even though the units were not yet available at dealerships. Unfortunately, this strategy backfired when the ANCAP crash test awarded the SUV a zero-star safety rating, exposing its vulnerabilities. Let’s break down the assessment and its rationale:
Adult Occupant Protection: The Scorpio N scored 17.67 out of 40 points (44 percent) for adult occupant protection. While the passenger compartment performed well in the frontal offset test, it showed weak protection for the driver’s chest and inadequate safeguarding for the rear passenger’s head, neck, and chest in certain scenarios.
Child Occupant Protection: For child occupant protection, the Scorpio N attained a rating of 39.27 out of 49 points (80 percent). Although it received good ratings in various tests, ANCAP cautioned against using certain seating positions for young children due to missing safety anchorages.
Vulnerable Road User Protection: Scoring 23% (14.94 out of 63), the Scorpio N’s protection for vulnerable road users was deemed inadequate. ANCAP highlighted deficiencies in pedestrian safety, particularly around the bonnet and windscreen areas, and identified poor protection for the pelvis, femurs, and lower legs.
Safety Assist: Due to the absence of ADAS features, the Scorpio N received a 0 out of 18 in the safety assist category.
The discrepancy between the global NCAP’s earlier 5-star rating and ANCAP’s zero-star evaluation raises questions. Some argue that penalizing the SUV for lacking autonomous functions might be excessive, especially considering the vehicle’s fundamental safety engineering.
Mahindra plans to equip the Scorpio N with ADAS features, aligning with future compulsory requirements for all cars sold from 2025 onward. Presently, the XUV700 remains the sole Mahindra offering in India boasting autonomous driving capabilities.
In summary, the Scorpio N’s contrasting safety ratings underscore the importance of evolving safety standards and the critical role of advanced safety technologies in modern vehicles.