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The official head injury crash tests, carried out by the European New Car Assessment Programme, involves cars being propelled sideways into a rigid pole.
We are keen for car companies to go even
further in safety protection  |
Euro NCAP spokesman Richard Woods
|
Previously, cars getting top marks in the tests, which are based on car occupant and pedestrian survivability in crashes, received a four-star rating.
But to encourage car manufacturers to improve safety still further a fifth star was introduced by the Euro NCAP, which use dummies to show crash injuries.
Side-impact airbags
The new pole test was conducted on five cars - the Mercedes E Class, the Saab 9-3, the Saab 9-5, the Volvo S70 and the Volvo S80.
None of the cars managed to gain the five-star distinction although all achieved four stars.
The Volkswagen Beetle, the Mercedes A Class and the Honda Accord all achieved four stars using the less-stringent side-impact test.
"The results are very good but we are keen for car companies to go even further in safety protection," said Euro NCAP spokesman Richard Woods.
The programme's chairman Max Mosley said the pole test had been added to the programme to encourage manufacturers to fit head-protection devices.
"Side-impact airbags help to make this kind of crash survivable," he said.
"Euro NCAP would like to encourage the increased use of head-protection airbags across manufacturers' model range."
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