Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/679878
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 15 MAY 2016 Motoring III New Toyota Prius triumphs in Euro NCAP Safety Testing THE all-new Toyota Prius has secured the top five-star rating in independent Euro NCAP safety testing. The result maintains Prius's reputation as one of the safest cars in its class, building on the previous five-star performance of the second and third generation models. Toyota's constant improve- ment of its safety technologies has helped Prius – the world's best-selling full hybrid car – comply with Euro NCAP's more stringent and wider- ranging test criteria, which cover not only how vehicle occupants and pedestrians are protected in real-life accident scenarios, but also the quality and range of safety equipment provided. The new Prius achieved an excellent 92 per cent score for overall adult occupant pro- tection; 82 per cent for child occupants; 77 per cent for pedestrian protection perfor- mance; and 85 per cent for safety assist performance. In its report, Euro NCAP commended the new Prius for maximum point scores achieved in its side barrier impact test, with "good protec- tion of all critical body areas" and a further maximum score for the performance of its au- tonomous emergency braking system. This safety function is included in the car's PreCol- lision System, and is able to detect and react to pedestri- ans as well as vehicles in the car's path. The Pre-Collision System is part of the Toyota Safety Sense package of active safety features, together with Adaptive Cruise Control with Full Speed Following func- tion, Lane Departure Alert with steering control, Automatic High Beam and Road Sign As- sist, provided as standard on all new Prius models. Addi- tional radar-controlled systems including a Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert are also available. The new Prius's crash test performance reflects the fundamental strength of its Toyota New Global Archi- tecture-based platform and body, which make good use of strategic reinforcements and use of high-strength steels to absorb and channel impact forces away from the cabin. For more information on Toyota and its products visit the Toyota showroom situated in Mdina Road Zebbug log on the Toyota Malta Facebook page or call on 2269 4000 Tough new driving theory test leaves French learners in the lurch FRENCH learner drivers were confronted with a tough new theory and highway code test earlier this month – and failed en masse. Only one in six candidates passed the new test on its first cou- ple of days of operation. Seven out of ten candi- dates, on average, passed a previous, much simpler examination in which the same questions appeared each time. As part of a drive to reduce road deaths in France, on the rise again after falling for 13 years in a row, the government devised a much tougher theory test with 1,000 possible ques- tions. The subjects were wid- ened to include how to drive more economically, first aid and how to spot "vulnerable" road users. As before, 35 out of 40 questions had to be an- swered correctly before French learner drivers could take their driving test proper. Although candidates merely had to choose one right an- swer out of two, the new test has proved a disaster. Only 16.7 per cent of can- didates passed in the first two days after the new tests started on Monday. In some French departments, only 1 person passed. In some towns, no one passed. "Obviously, we will have to rethink the questions," France's road safety tsar – or "interministerial delegate for road safety" – Emmanuel Barbe told Europe 1 radio. He insisted, however, that the results were not as bad as they seemed. The great majority of candidates nar- rowly failed to reach the pass target of 35 out of 40 ques- tions, he said. The problem was partly caused by the failure of the government to issue new guidance and software in time to driving schools. Many candidates were poorly prepared, Barbe said. He ex- pected this to change rapidly – especially since under the new rules candidates have to pay €30 to take their first theory test. Previously, they had only paid for a resit. Questions in the new theory test include the following. "To reduce my petrol consump- tion, do I take my foot off the accelerator? A. yes. B. no."