India-bound Suzuki Ignis gets 3 stars in Euro NCAP

Standard version gets three-star rating while the one fitted with an additional safety pack scored a perfect five-stars

Maruti is all set to bring in the Ignis to India early next year, but before its official launch, the European-spec model has been put through a test by Euro NCAP (New Car Assessment Program). The standard model of the Suzuki Ignis scored a three-star rating. This variant comes fitted with front and side airbags, seat belt pretensioner, seat belt loadlimiter and ISO Fix at the back.

The standard Ignis scored a reasonable 79 per cent in adult and child occupant safety, and 67 per cent in pedestrian safety. The fully loaded version of the Ignis with additional features for pedestrian safety, lane assist and more, scored a perfect five in the test. Thanks to all these features, the adult occupant safety goes up to 87 per cent and pedestrian safety up to 77 per cent.

The official Euro NCAP report read, “The passenger compartment of the Ignis remained stable in the offset deformable frontal impact test. Dummy readings indicated good protection of the knees and femurs of the driver and passenger. Compression of the driver dummy's chest indicated weak protection of this part of the body and injury parameters for the lower legs revealed marginal protection.”

The Suzuki Ignis will only be launched in India in the first half of 2017. Although Maruti Suzuki had announced its launch during the festive season this year, there have been delays due to the response the Baleno hatchback has been receiving. The Manesar-based car maker is currently focusing its production capacity on the Baleno until the new plant in Gujrat becomes fully operational.

The Maruti Suzuki Ignis will employ a 1.2-litre petrol motor that is good for 88bhp. It is also likely to come with the trusted Fiat sourced 1.3-litre diesel motor on offer. In order to keep the costs in check, the Ignis that will come to India may not get as much safety tech as the European spec model.