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| April 14 |
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Hyundai Elantra and XG Receive 5-Star Safety Rating from NHTSA |
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(Seoul, Korea) The Hyundai Elantra and XG sedans received the highest possible safety rating from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA).
In front crash tests conducted under the NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program, the Elantra four- and five-door sedans earned the maximum five-star score for driver safety while also earning the five-star rating for front seat safety in the side impact test.
Of 21 models tested thus far in the heavy car category, XG was one of five models to receive a five star front seat passenger and driver seat safety rating, placing the XG in the company of the Lincoln Town Car, Ford Crown Victoria, Acura 3.2TL and Mercury Marquis.
Under NCAP frontal collision test procedures, crash-test dummies are secured in driver and front passenger seats with the vehicle's seat belts. Vehicles are crashed into a fixed barrier at 35 miles per hour (mph), which is equivalent to a head-on collision between two similar vehicles each moving at 35 mph. Sensors measure the impact force to each dummy's head, chest and legs. A five-star rating denotes a 10 percent or less chance of incurring a serious injury in the event of a collision.
For testing side impact collisions, crash-test dummies are placed in driver and (driver's side) rear passenger seats, on the side of vehicle struck, and secured with the vehicle's seat belts. This test represents an intersection-type collision with a 3,015 pound barrier moving at 38.5 mph into a standing vehicle. The barrier is covered with material that has "give" to replicate the front of a vehicle. Since all tested vehicles are impacted by the same size barrier, it is possible to compare all vehicles with each other when looking at side crash protection ratings.
Side-collision star ratings indicate the chance of a life threatening chest injury for the driver, front seat passenger, and the rear seat passenger. Head injury is not measured in these tests
Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Co. has grown into the Hyundai Automotive Group which includes Kia Motors Corp. and over two dozen auto-related subsidiaries and affiliates. Employing nearly 50,000 people worldwide, Hyundai Motor posted US$21.94 billion in sales in 2002. Hyundai motor vehicles are sold in 166 countries through 4,504 dealerships and showrooms. Further information about Hyundai Motor Co. and its products is available on the Internet at http://www.hyundai-motor.com |
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