Euro NCAP: 5-Star Safety For New Holdens, 4 For Chinese Pair

Euro NCAP 5-Star safety ratings awarded to Holden Malibu and Volt, Kia Rio, Mercedes-Benz B-Class and C-Class Coupe, Range Rover Evoque, Subaru XV, Volkswagen Up and Beetle.

Holden's upcoming Malibu medium sedan and Volt plug-in hybrid electric car have been awarded top marks in a new round of Euro NCAP crash safety tests.

While both cars were tested in their European-market Chevrolet and Opel forms, the scores offer a solid idea of what we can expect when they hit the Australian market in 2012.

In Chevrolet form, the Volt is equipped with eight airbags as standard, along with adjustable head restraints up front, a collapsible pedal assembly and a full Electronic Stability Control system. 

Standard safety features for the Malibu include dual-stage front airbags for the driver and front passenger, along with pelvic/thorax side-impact and knee airbags up front also. Roof rail airbags with rollover protection will also be standard.

A number of models already available in Australia have also picked up the top 5-Star Euro NCAP rating, including the new Kia Rio, the Range Rover Evoque and the new Mercedes C-Class Coupe. 

Other 5-Star models bound for Australia in the new year include the all-new Subaru XV and Mercedes B-Class models, along with Volkswagen's new Beetle and Up! city car.

The latest round of Euro NCAP tests have also marked a milestone for the Chinese industry, with the Geely Emgrand EC7 and the Chinese-developed MG 6 sedan.