The Ford Mustang, rumoured as a worthy contender for replacing highway patrol pursuit vehicles, has performed poorly in ANCAP crash testing, performed in partnership with Euro NCAP.
Under consideration for the Australia New Zealand Policing Advisory Agency’s (ANZPAA) patrol fleet replacement program, the Mustang received a dismal two-star ANCAP rating, which could likely put it out of contention to replace the aging Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore highway patrol and pursuit vehicle in the next few years.
“This result is simply shocking for such a newly designed and popular model,” said ANCAP Chief Executive Officer, Mr James Goodwin.
“We have been very successful in encouraging not only general consumers, but corporate and government fleets to implement a 5 star purchasing policy which means only the safest vehicles are purchased.”
“The vehicle is a workplace for many people and safety shouldn’t be compromised whether it is in an office building or on the highway,”
“Our hardworking police officers have a dangerous job and deserve to be in the safest vehicle that meets their requirements,”
“The vehicle is often the last line of defence in a crash so it is vital that the maximum level of safety is considered.”
“The safety of adult occupants, child occupants and the ability to avoid a crash all form the basis of our ratings and the Mustang falls short in each of these areas. There’s strong consumer expectation that a new vehicle will be 5 stars and a sports car is no different – safety should never be compromised,” he said.
The pony car scored a dreadful two points out of 12 for safety assist/crash avoidance assessment. It only managed 27.66 out of 38 points in adult occupant protection, which included 4.67/8 for the full width frontal test, 6.91/8 for the frontal offset test, 6.88 for the pole test 1.21/3 for whiplash protection and 15.81/49 for child occupant protection. Pedestrian protection only returned 27/42 points. However it did manage a full 8/8 for the side impact test.
Adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking at any speeds, blind-spot monitoring, any form of speed assistance nor lane support system are available on the Mustang, despite asking a base $49,990 MLRP.
Particular areas the sports car lost points were in its deployment and contact of the airbag with the test dummy occupant. Quoted as “unstable airbag contact” for driver and passenger, plus the rear occupants suffered submarining by sliding down the seat and under the seatbelt, which also recorded excessively high loads. The brake pedal also suffered “excessive rearward movement” of 108mm, which could cause leg, hip and possibly spinal injuries in the event of a crash.
In the pole test, the Mustang’s door also lost a point for opening during the crash event, which could see limps exit the confines of the vehicle or objects enter the cabin space.
“This rating is not intended to shock or surprise – it simply presents the safety of this car against that of its contemporary competitors,” Mr Goodwin continued. “This rating should not come as a surprise to Ford as we maintain strong relationships with vehicle brands and they are informed on the development of our protocols.
“I would encourage Ford to swiftly introduce design and production changes to improve its safety performance,” he said.
“It’s disappointing speed assistance systems, lane support systems, autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning and rear seat belt reminders are all missing from the Mustang,” he added.
An updated Mustang is due in 2018.
