New 2009 Verso-airbags For 3rd Row Passengers?

[R Tang]

The new 2009 Verso will be launch at the Geneva Motorshow next month. I wonder if the last row of passengers will get the new airbag for rear crash as in the iQ. I am concern after watching 5th Gears programme back in Jan 2009 in which a truck was crashed into a Zafria at 40 mph and the 3rd row of passengers didn't survive.

The car does look nice though and hopefully the auto version is better than the current MMt.

[hertsnminds]

I had a transit with trailer go into the back of my Verso at around 10 mph, all that needed replaced was a rear bumper.

[R Tang]

That was good. I know my current Corolla Verso is tough-I was hit by joy riders back in 2006 and I was well protected-but it did cost £6000 to repair. Have a look at that video clip on 5th gear's website on that clash test of the Zafria. Hopefully the new 2009 Verso will be even tougher.

[hertsnminds]

Had a look at the clip and a few things that are notable...

They are using an old style Zafira (pre 2005) EuroNcap rating 3 stars, whereas the post 2005 model has 5 stars with 4 stars for child safety.

Even though they state having the headrests up would make no difference the test was performed with the headrests down.

The dummies were not in any child seats, when using the rear two seats in my Verso I put the grandchildren in their correct child seats.

Have a look on the EuroNcap website, the thing they look for in a rear impact is how well supported your head is by the seat and does your body move up out of the seat causing your head to rise above the headrest.

Yes there is a smaller crumple zone between the rear bumper and the seat than front bumper and seat but the Verso has a lot of impact protection outside the car (chunky rear bumper with impact bar behind it).

[R Tang]

I am glad you had a look at the video. The back seats are quite small so trying to put two Graco car seats is actually quite difficult. Also, I think if the dummies were adults, they will be hit by the lorry too. Although the Verso has a 5 star rating, Euro Ncap don't really perform a similar test. What I said to 5th Gear was now you have done the test, what are you going to do about it? Are they going to present it to Euro Ncap? I am actually concern not just the small MPVs but cars like Fiat 500 may have the same effect.

Any way, back on the new Verso, if you check out the Toyota.com /international website, Toyota has developed an airbag for rear crash-It would be great if they could put this to the new 2009 Verso. After all, the current car has 7 airbags, so one more wouldn't do any more harm?!