In Latin NCAP’s latest results, the Brazilian-spec Citroën Bassault has received 0 stars. Based on the same platform as the India-spec Basalt, the test car came standard with 4 airbags and electronic stability control (ESC), but due to the lack of side airbags it did not undergo the side pole impact test, giving it an automatic 0 star in the segment. This also proves how rigorous the Latin NCAP test is compared to the Bharat NCAP, where the Bharat-spec model got four stars.
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According to the accident report, the harnesses provided good head and neck protection, while driver’s chest protection was limited, and passenger’s chest protection was poor due to poor performance of the pretensioners. The footwell area was considered constant. The bodyshell was considered unstable, and not capable of supporting forward load. The good thing is that the front passengers’ head, stomach, chest and abdomen were well protected. As for whiplash, the seat provided limited neck protection.
Overall, the Brazil-made Busault scored 39.37% in adult occupant protection, 58.35% in child occupant protection, 53.38% in pedestrian protection and 34.88% in safety assist. In comparison, the India-made Citroën Basault scored 26.19 points out of 32 in adult occupant protection and 35.90 out of 49 points in child occupant protection and offered good head and neck protection, while chest and thigh protection was mediocre. It also got 16 out of 16 points in the side impact test.
Criticizing Stellantis’ poor score, Alejandro Furas, Secretary General of Latin NCAP, said, “This result for Citroën Bussault makes it clear that for Stellantis the lives of Latin Americans do not matter as much as the lives of Indians.” Basalt’s low safety results came to light only because Latin NCAP decided to fund its testing with its own funds.
