Cupra defends Tavascan's four-star ANCAP safety rating, welcomes real-world testing
The Cupra Tavascan has missed out on a maximum five-star safety rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), and it's because of a driver assist feature – or rather, its absence.
Despite receiving scores of 89 per cent for adult occupant protection, 87 per cent for child occupant protection and 80 per cent for vulnerable road user protection, the Tavascan's score of 67 per cent for safety assist systems saw it receive a four-star rating overall.
Vehicles must receive 80 per cent in adult and child occupant protection, and 70 per cent in the vulnerable road user protection and safety assist categories to get a five-star rating from the independent auto safety authority.
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ANCAP dinged the Cupra for the lack of an intelligent speed assistance system or speed limit information function, which saw it miss out on the five-star rating given to it by sister authority Euro NCAP in 2024.
'While some improved performance across the Safety Assist pillar could have enhanced its score, the absence of an advanced speed assistance system primarily contributed to this four-star result,' said ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg.
'Speed sign recognition and an intelligent speed limiter are standard in European models but have not been made available to current Australian Tavascan buyers.
'The Tavascan performed well in each of the other areas of assessment, and we encourage Cupra to consider an update to Australian vehicles to elevate it to the five-star level of its European equivalents.'
In response, Cupra issued the following statement:
'Cupra is committed to a high level of active and passive safety systems as standard across its range. The Travel Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Assist and Side Assist functions on the Tavascan have been recognised in real world testing by mainstream journalists as among the most comprehensive and intuitively tuned in the industry.
'The Tavascan comfortably exceeds five-star requirements in three of the four segments, including segments crucial to driver and passenger safety such as Adult Occupant Protection, Child Occupant Protection and Vulnerable Road User Protection.
'In the fourth segment, Driver Assist, the Tavascan fulfilled or exceeded all requirements with the single exception of a speed limit information function.
'Cupra welcomes independent testing of its safety systems on real roads.'
ANCAP said the Tavascan performed well in destructive crash testing, with the vehicle providing 'Good' protection for most body regions of front-seat occupants in frontal offset testing; the safety authority also noted it 'excelled' in side impact testing, earning maximum points.
Full points were also awarded for protection of both child dummies in frontal offset and side impact crash tests.
'Crash protection is a fundamental element of every ANCAP safety rating, and the Cupra Tavascan performed well in these areas with strong structural performance,' said Ms Hoorweg.
ANCAP said the Tavascan's autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system showed 'consistent performance when responding to pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists in a range of collision avoidance scenarios, where it successfully mitigated or avoided collisions'.
It noted, however, the AEB system can't detect pedestrians while reversing, while the safe exit warning system notified exiting occupants too late and its performance was therefore deemed 'poor'.
Standard safety equipment across the Tavascan range includes:
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MORE: Lamborghini Temerario says farewell V10, hello twin-turbo V8 PHEV Content originally sourced from: Synthetic fuel, also known as e-fuel, could save the internal combustion engine (ICE) according to Lamborghini's tech boss, who says electric vehicle (EV) performance parity is only a matter of time. Speaking to CarExpert, the Italian brand's chief technical officer, Mr Rouven Mohr, said the new Lamborghini Temerario powertrain – a twin-turbo V8 hybrid system with three electric motors producing total outputs of 677kW of power and 730Nm of torque – delivers the emotional experience the brand is known for. It can also run on synthetic fuel, making it somewhat futureproof amid ever-tightening emissions standards and alongside combustion-powered rivals in key Lamborghini markets around the world. "I'm not saying that synthetic fuel is better than fossil fuel, but it could be the saviour of the combustion engine," Mr Mohr told CarExpert. 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So after 2035, there must be an opportunity, and this is what I think is very important – that all of our customers can continue to drive their cars." MORE: Lamborghini Temerario says farewell V10, hello twin-turbo V8 PHEV Content originally sourced from: Synthetic fuel, also known as e-fuel, could save the internal combustion engine (ICE) according to Lamborghini's tech boss, who says electric vehicle (EV) performance parity is only a matter of time. Speaking to CarExpert, the Italian brand's chief technical officer, Mr Rouven Mohr, said the new Lamborghini Temerario powertrain – a twin-turbo V8 hybrid system with three electric motors producing total outputs of 677kW of power and 730Nm of torque – delivers the emotional experience the brand is known for. It can also run on synthetic fuel, making it somewhat futureproof amid ever-tightening emissions standards and alongside combustion-powered rivals in key Lamborghini markets around the world. 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To set the V8 further apart from its rivals, Mr Mohr's team then set a staggeringly high benchmark of a 10,000rpm rev limit. "We decided, okay, what we must do [is] to do the most emotional V8 engine in the segment, and this [high-revving] direction was right here. If you speak about the race-oriented engine, it's revs – revs are always bringing emotions, not only because of the sound." The pursuit – and customer demand – of a visceral experience is why Lamborghini will be later than rival Ferrari in adding an EV to its lineup, which it currently plans to do in 2029. Mr Mohr also said Lamborghini is working hard to keep ICE technology, which he says still has room for improvement, in production for as long as possible. "If you ask me the emotion side at the moment, like I said before, I don't see the [electric] solution that is convincing now," Mr Mohr said. "Its time will come, trust me, because this kind of technology transformation needs longer," he said. "But we should also not make the mistake to think that it [ICE] will stop, because I can tell you, the generation that is now growing up step-by-step with the electrification of the standard cars, for them there will be a point where they say, okay, the old combustion thing is cool." That's why synthetic fuels will be a key technology for brands such as Lamborghini, and fellow Volkswagen Group automaker Porsche – with both brands investing in it for future products, but also because of the critical role heritage plays in the image of each brand. In 2023, Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann said synthetic fuel technology will be employed by the automaker for several reasons. "There are different levels to how we see it," Mr Winkelmann said. "The first one is we might utilise synthetic fuels only for our race activities. "The second thing is to protect our car park, because the majority of our cars after 60 years still exist. So after 2035, there must be an opportunity, and this is what I think is very important – that all of our customers can continue to drive their cars." MORE: Lamborghini Temerario says farewell V10, hello twin-turbo V8 PHEV Content originally sourced from:
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Ford Ranger PHEV built for choice not compliance, says exec
Ford Australia has launched the Ranger PHEV to broaden customer choice, not meet emissions regulations, according to senior global product executive Jim Baumbick. The Ranger PHEV joins a growing collection of electrified Ford models in Australia that includes the all-electric Mustang Mach-E SUV and E-Transit and E-Transit Custom vans, as well as a plug-in hybrid version of the Transit Custom. All will serve as key pillars of Ford's initial response to the New Vehicle Emissions Standard (NVES) in Australia, with sales of the greener vehicles set to help offset fines accrued by dirtier models in the lineup such as diesel versions of the Ranger and the Everest SUV, as well as the petrol-powered Mustang sports car. However, Mr Baumbick says that Ford was working on diversifying its Ranger lineup well before the strict new emissions regulations were announced, and that the Ranger PHEV complements its other ute offerings. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "This is not a compliance play, it's a portfolio of options," Mr Baumbick told Australian media at the international launch of the Ranger PHEV. "At Ford, we want to let the customers choose so they can pick the right tool for the job. "The regulatory requirements in Australia have changed very rapidly, faster than normal process. But we already had this in development, and we'll continue to enhance the portfolio. "We're launching it now, but we didn't do this because of the new requirements. It's part of our overall mission to offer a portfolio of options." Despite his insistence that the plug-in hybrid version of the Ranger wasn't an emissions-led project, Mr Baumbick admitted that Ford was caught on the back foot by tightening regulations across the globe. The ink officially dried on the Australian Government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) at the start of this year, bringing with it regulations designed to reduce the carbon footprint of the Australian car market. While the NVES came into effect on January 1, 2025, penalties won't start being accrued until July 1. "Going electric isn't a light switch," explained Mr Baumbick. "We're trying to move as fast as we can, and when things change quickly there are development lead times, so stay tuned. As for the other measures Ford is set to take to survive in the Australian market, the brand is committed to shielding consumers from the financial burden of NVES fines. "We're not jacking up prices due to our regulatory status," Mr Baumbick asserted. MORE: Explore the Ford Ranger showroom Content originally sourced from: Ford Australia has launched the Ranger PHEV to broaden customer choice, not meet emissions regulations, according to senior global product executive Jim Baumbick. The Ranger PHEV joins a growing collection of electrified Ford models in Australia that includes the all-electric Mustang Mach-E SUV and E-Transit and E-Transit Custom vans, as well as a plug-in hybrid version of the Transit Custom. All will serve as key pillars of Ford's initial response to the New Vehicle Emissions Standard (NVES) in Australia, with sales of the greener vehicles set to help offset fines accrued by dirtier models in the lineup such as diesel versions of the Ranger and the Everest SUV, as well as the petrol-powered Mustang sports car. However, Mr Baumbick says that Ford was working on diversifying its Ranger lineup well before the strict new emissions regulations were announced, and that the Ranger PHEV complements its other ute offerings. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "This is not a compliance play, it's a portfolio of options," Mr Baumbick told Australian media at the international launch of the Ranger PHEV. "At Ford, we want to let the customers choose so they can pick the right tool for the job. "The regulatory requirements in Australia have changed very rapidly, faster than normal process. But we already had this in development, and we'll continue to enhance the portfolio. "We're launching it now, but we didn't do this because of the new requirements. It's part of our overall mission to offer a portfolio of options." Despite his insistence that the plug-in hybrid version of the Ranger wasn't an emissions-led project, Mr Baumbick admitted that Ford was caught on the back foot by tightening regulations across the globe. The ink officially dried on the Australian Government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) at the start of this year, bringing with it regulations designed to reduce the carbon footprint of the Australian car market. While the NVES came into effect on January 1, 2025, penalties won't start being accrued until July 1. "Going electric isn't a light switch," explained Mr Baumbick. "We're trying to move as fast as we can, and when things change quickly there are development lead times, so stay tuned. As for the other measures Ford is set to take to survive in the Australian market, the brand is committed to shielding consumers from the financial burden of NVES fines. "We're not jacking up prices due to our regulatory status," Mr Baumbick asserted. MORE: Explore the Ford Ranger showroom Content originally sourced from: Ford Australia has launched the Ranger PHEV to broaden customer choice, not meet emissions regulations, according to senior global product executive Jim Baumbick. The Ranger PHEV joins a growing collection of electrified Ford models in Australia that includes the all-electric Mustang Mach-E SUV and E-Transit and E-Transit Custom vans, as well as a plug-in hybrid version of the Transit Custom. All will serve as key pillars of Ford's initial response to the New Vehicle Emissions Standard (NVES) in Australia, with sales of the greener vehicles set to help offset fines accrued by dirtier models in the lineup such as diesel versions of the Ranger and the Everest SUV, as well as the petrol-powered Mustang sports car. However, Mr Baumbick says that Ford was working on diversifying its Ranger lineup well before the strict new emissions regulations were announced, and that the Ranger PHEV complements its other ute offerings. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "This is not a compliance play, it's a portfolio of options," Mr Baumbick told Australian media at the international launch of the Ranger PHEV. "At Ford, we want to let the customers choose so they can pick the right tool for the job. "The regulatory requirements in Australia have changed very rapidly, faster than normal process. But we already had this in development, and we'll continue to enhance the portfolio. "We're launching it now, but we didn't do this because of the new requirements. It's part of our overall mission to offer a portfolio of options." Despite his insistence that the plug-in hybrid version of the Ranger wasn't an emissions-led project, Mr Baumbick admitted that Ford was caught on the back foot by tightening regulations across the globe. The ink officially dried on the Australian Government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) at the start of this year, bringing with it regulations designed to reduce the carbon footprint of the Australian car market. While the NVES came into effect on January 1, 2025, penalties won't start being accrued until July 1. "Going electric isn't a light switch," explained Mr Baumbick. "We're trying to move as fast as we can, and when things change quickly there are development lead times, so stay tuned. As for the other measures Ford is set to take to survive in the Australian market, the brand is committed to shielding consumers from the financial burden of NVES fines. "We're not jacking up prices due to our regulatory status," Mr Baumbick asserted. MORE: Explore the Ford Ranger showroom Content originally sourced from: Ford Australia has launched the Ranger PHEV to broaden customer choice, not meet emissions regulations, according to senior global product executive Jim Baumbick. The Ranger PHEV joins a growing collection of electrified Ford models in Australia that includes the all-electric Mustang Mach-E SUV and E-Transit and E-Transit Custom vans, as well as a plug-in hybrid version of the Transit Custom. All will serve as key pillars of Ford's initial response to the New Vehicle Emissions Standard (NVES) in Australia, with sales of the greener vehicles set to help offset fines accrued by dirtier models in the lineup such as diesel versions of the Ranger and the Everest SUV, as well as the petrol-powered Mustang sports car. However, Mr Baumbick says that Ford was working on diversifying its Ranger lineup well before the strict new emissions regulations were announced, and that the Ranger PHEV complements its other ute offerings. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "This is not a compliance play, it's a portfolio of options," Mr Baumbick told Australian media at the international launch of the Ranger PHEV. "At Ford, we want to let the customers choose so they can pick the right tool for the job. "The regulatory requirements in Australia have changed very rapidly, faster than normal process. But we already had this in development, and we'll continue to enhance the portfolio. "We're launching it now, but we didn't do this because of the new requirements. It's part of our overall mission to offer a portfolio of options." Despite his insistence that the plug-in hybrid version of the Ranger wasn't an emissions-led project, Mr Baumbick admitted that Ford was caught on the back foot by tightening regulations across the globe. The ink officially dried on the Australian Government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) at the start of this year, bringing with it regulations designed to reduce the carbon footprint of the Australian car market. While the NVES came into effect on January 1, 2025, penalties won't start being accrued until July 1. "Going electric isn't a light switch," explained Mr Baumbick. "We're trying to move as fast as we can, and when things change quickly there are development lead times, so stay tuned. As for the other measures Ford is set to take to survive in the Australian market, the brand is committed to shielding consumers from the financial burden of NVES fines. "We're not jacking up prices due to our regulatory status," Mr Baumbick asserted. MORE: Explore the Ford Ranger showroom Content originally sourced from:
