ANCAP crash test results

Ford Falcon FG Sedan | 2008 on

Front+side+head airbags

Occupant protection score: 34.61 out of 37

Model history and safety features

The tested model of Ford Falcon was introduced in Australia during 2008. These results apply to Falcons built from July 2008. From January 2008 ANCAP has required Electronic Stability Control (ESC) for a 5 star occupant protection rating. ESC is not currently available when the optional LPG engine is specified so the 5 star rating is only applicable to petrol fuelled vehicles.

Dual front airbags, antilock brakes (ABS) and electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) are standard across the range. All sedans also have head protecting side airbags as standard equipment. Vehicles have either head/thorax side airbags or thorax side bags plus inflatable side curtains. ANCAP tested a vehicle with head/thorax side airbags. Emergency Brake Assist and ESC are standard on all petrol-fuelled sedans but are not currently available for the LPG version. Intelligent seat belt reminders are fitted to both front seats. Power adjustable pedals and a reversing camera are available. Several other safety features are incorporated in the Intelligent Safety System.

The front seat belt buckles are mounted on the seats and the upper anchorages are adjustable. These features improve the fit of the seat belt. Pretensioners are fitted to the front seat belts to reduce slack in the event of a crash. A three point seat belt is fitted to the centre rear seat. This provides better protection than a two point (lap) seat belt.

Occupant protection:

The Falcon scored 14.61 out of 16 in the offset crash test. The passenger compartment was in excellent shape after the test. There was a slight risk of serious chest and leg injury. The vehicle scored 16 out of 16 in the side impact crash test and a further two points in the optional pole test. This is the first Australian-built vehicle to receive a 5 star rating from ANCAP.

Frontal offset crash test

Body region scores out of 4 points each: Head/neck 4 pts, chest 2.92 pts, upper legs 4 pts, lower legs 3.69 pts.

The passenger compartment held its shape extremely well in the offset crash test. The accelerator pedal moved rearwards by 29 mm and downwards 2mm. By design, the brake pedal moved forwards to reduce injury risk. The steering wheel hub moved 53mm forward, 47mm
downward and 10 mm sideways. All doors remained closed during the crash. After the crash all doors could be opened with normal effort.

The airbag cushioned the head of the driver and contact was stable. There were no knee hazards. The passenger's head was cushioned by the airbag.

Side impact crash test

Body region scores out of 4 points each: Head 4 pts, chest 4 pts, abdomen 4 pts, pelvis 4 pts.

The vehicle was eligible for an optional pole impact test, since it had head-protecting side airbags and scored four points for the head in the side impact test. The manufacturer decided to go ahead with the pole test and the vehicle earned a further two points. The seat-mounted
side airbag protected the driver's head. Ford provided information to ANCAP which confirmed that the same score can be expected for vehicles equipped with thorax side bags plus curtains.

Injury measurements

Body region		Offset crash test at 64 km/h (v4.1)		Side impact crash test at 50 km/h (v4.1)
		Driver	Passenger	Driver
Head HIC		201	282	117
Acceleration (g for 3ms)		40.6	44.2	50.9
Neck - Shear (kN)		0.54	0.39	-
- Tension (kN)		1.49	0.98	-
- Extension (Nm)		17.1	17.0	-
Chest Accln (g for 3ms)		33.80	37.40	-
Compression (mm)		29.58	23.00	20.30
Viscous criterion (m/s)		0.11	0.07	0.23
Abdomen - Force (kN)		-	-	0.743
Pelvis - Force (kN)		-	-	1.610
Upper legs - Force (kN)	Left	0.68	0.15
	Right	0.11	0.37
Knee displ (mm)	Left	0.05	0.11
	Right	0.09	0.62
Lower legs - Force (kN)	Left	1.93	1.36
	Right	1.39	1.85
Index (Upper/Low)	Left	0.45/0.21	0.31/0.20
	Right	0.34/0.24	0.25/0.47

Bonus points (maximum 5)

Pole test: 2 pts

Seat belt reminders: 2 (see table below for details)

Modifiers - deductions from offset test scores

Head		No deduction
Chest		No deduction
Upper leg	Variable & conc. loading	No deduction
Lower leg		No deduction
Foot score		Score 4 points

Note: Steering column and pedal movements are measured relative to the driver's seat.

Modifiers - deductions from side impact test scores

Chest

No deduction

Safety features

These specifications are subject to change. Please check with manufacturer for the latest specifications.

Driver airbag	S
Passenger front airbag	S
Side airbags, front seats -chest protection	S
Side airbag, front seats -head protection	S
Side airbags, rear seats -head protection	O
Driver knee airbag	X
Seat belt pretensioners (Front/rear outboard)	S/X
Antilock (ABS) brakes / Electronic brakeforce distribution / Emergency Brake Assist	S/S/S*
Electronic stability control (ESC, VSC, DSC, ESP, VSA)	S*#
3 point centre rear seat belt	S
Active head restraints -front seats	X
Intelligent seat belt reminder -driver	S
Intelligent seat belt reminder -front passenger	S
Rear seat belt status indicator	X

Key:
S = standard on all variants
S* = standard for petrol models but not available where optional LPG engine is fitted
O = optional on base variant. May be standard on higher variants
V = not available on base variant but standard or optional on higher variants
X = not available on any variant
# ESC required by ANCAP for 5 star rating from 2008.

Pedestrian protection rating:

An improvement from the previous Falcon, but still performed poorly at the base of windscreen and sides of the bonnet. Upper leg protection was also poor.

Child head impacts	7.25
Adult head impacts	2.10
Upper leg impacts	Zero
Lower leg impacts	1.60
Total (out of 36)	10.95

 

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Page created: 6 August 2008