The Ibiza and Arona achieve the highest rating in Euro NCAP tests

The new Seat Ibiza and Seat Arona maintain their impeccable five-star rating in the Euro NCAP safety tests, five years after being achieved this beautiful result for the first time. Recognition becomes even more relevant given the difficulty the security testing process has faced in recent years. The tests have become stricter and now include the new mobile barrier in the frontal crash test with the car in motion, which replaces the previous deformable static barrier. This test helps Euro NCAP measure the protection of the occupants in the cabin, as well as how the front part of the vehicle structure reacts in a collision. The side impacts have also been updated to include speed and mass adjustments in the crash test on the driver’s side of the barrier, raising the bar. In addition, Euro NCAP evaluates side impacts on the right side of the vehicle, taking into account not only driver protection, but also their possible interaction with the passenger.

“Achieving the highest rating in Euro NCAP testing is a source of pride for everyone involved in the development of the new Ibiza and Arona,” he says. Werner Tietz, Vice President R&D at Seat. “Seat always places great emphasis on safety and integrates the most advanced technologies, active or passive, to provide the safest vehicles on the market,” he adds.

One of the reasons that led SEAT to achieve success in the demanding tests was the evolution of the active and passive technologies of the new Ibiza and Arona. The safety aspect of the two models has been complemented by changes to the structure of the front part of the body, which has been redesigned to match the new mobile barrier frontal crash test. Structural reinforcements have also been added to improve side impact protection.

The restraint systems have also been updated with the addition of a dual pretensioner for the front seat belts and a reminder to fasten the rear seat belts. All this, added to a new passenger airbag, increases safety on board. Euro NCAP testing has also shown the effectiveness of impressive active safety technology that helps reduce and in some cases prevent certain incidents. And it is that the new Ibiza and Arona now include new camera technology as standard, as well as the involuntary lane change assistant (Lane Assist). In addition, the integrated adaptive radar software, linked to cruise control, has been optimized with pedestrian and bicycle recognition, protecting vulnerable road users.

The new Ibiza achieved a high score in every area evaluated: adult occupants (83%), child occupants (82%), vulnerable road users (66%) and safety assistants (70%). The new Arona achieved equally high results in the same tests: adult occupants (83%), child occupants (83%), vulnerable road users (65%) and safety assistants (70%). The new Ibiza and Arona, which retain their five-star rating – like the rest of the models in the range – demonstrate the brand’s commitment to continue to launch the safest vehicles on the market.