A buzz throughout the whole Indian Automobile Industry has erupted since the news of Mahindra Scorpio N scoring 0 stars in Australian NCAP came across. Mahindra is not only active in India with their vehicle business but also in other countries like Australia, South Africa, etc. So, with Mahindra being present in Australia, the Australian NCAP decided to test the Scorpio N for its safety ratings, which resulted in 0 stars. Now, we know your question is - Why did Mahindra Scorpio N score 0 Star in Australia NCAP? Is it not a safe vehicle? Is Global NCAP, who declared 5 Stars for the Scorpio N, a scam? What is the matter?

Well, we need to first accept that neither Global NCAP nor the Australian NCAP is a scam. Secondly, the sky-rocketing difference between the organizations’ results is because of their protocols. So, let us understand how the Scorpio N scored 0 stars in the Australian NCAP.

What is Australian NCAP?

Now, before we get straight into the matter, we shall first throw some light on this and understand what the Australian NCAP actually is and how it works.

So, Australian NCAP, also known as A-NCAP, is an independent organization that conducts crash tests of popular-selling Passenger Vehicles, Sport Utility Vehicles, and Light Commercial Vehicles. This organization works not only for Australia but also for New Zealand. Thus, whichever vehicle lies under any of the three categories is selling well in any of the above-mentioned countries, the A-NCAP decides to test them to know their safety ratings. 

This should also clear your probable doubts like, Is A-NCAP a branch of Global NCAP or Bharat NCAP? The answer to this is NO, as it is an independent organization. It works and runs on its own rules and regulations, and it does not have to follow any rules made by Global NCAP or Bharat NCAP.

What are the Protocols of the Australian NCAP?

The next important aspect is the Protocols. Now, protocols are very important, as based on the protocols, a car is rated for its safety performance. As said, the A-NCAP has its own rules, which it runs on. 

Now, if we go through every minute protocol, it might take hours to explain to you how An NCAP rates the tested cars. So, instead, we will just go through the important protocols that played a major in Scorpio N getting 0 stars. 

Well, as said, An NCAP is not related to Bharat NCAP or Global NCAP in any way, but there is one small similarity. It is that these organizations’ protocols have a similar structure that they are dependent on, with some obvious differences, which makes them unique. 

The Global NCAP and Bharat NCAP consist of two primary protection criteria - Adult Protection and Child Protection. On the other hand, the A NCAP consists of a total of four protection criteria: Adult Occupant Protection , Child Occupant  Protection , Pedestrian Protection , and Safety Assist . Based on the particular car’s crash test scores in every one of these four criteria, the A NCAP awards that particular car deserving stars, which happens to be out of 5.

How much did the Scorpio N score?

Now, this is where we will understand the reason that how come Scorpio N scored 0 stars. Let us start the discussion. 

After every car’s crash test, the particular crash test’s evaluation is revealed via a PDF and a Detailed Summary of the crash. Both of these can be accessed from the A NCAP’s website.

The Adult Occupant Protection scores are given after conducting various impacts. These impacts are conducted on the Front and the Side of the vehicle. These impacts are made with the help of strong, destructive objects. In this test, the Scorpio N scored 17.67 out of 40, which is adequate but definitely not good.

Then comes the Child Occupant Protection scores. This score is awarded based on the result of the same impacts made while conducting the Adult Occupant Protection test. In this test, the Scorpio N scored 39.27 out of 49 points. This is for sure a good score made by the SUV. 

Next is the Pedestrian Protection test. In this test, the Scorpio N was pathetic. It gained a total of 14.94 out of 63 points. These tests are conducted in order to test how hazardous the consequence would be if the particular car hits a pedestrian on the road. 

Lastly, the Safety Assist test. This test does nothing but test all the Advance Driver’s Assistance System or ADAS features. Well, Scorpio N just could not pass it, as it has none of the ADAS features. So, it scored a 0 out of 18 points.

The A NCAP has also shared the reasons behind these scores -

The Side Protecting Airbags do not extend to the rear to protect the passengers seated in the Third row. 

There is no Centre Airbag to prevent Occupant-to-Occupant interaction. 

The Middle Passenger of the Second row is provided with a Lap-only Seatbelt. Lap-only Seatbelts do not offer a similar kind of protection compared to other Seatbelts. 

Seatbelt Reminders are fitted, and they work only for the Front row. The Second and Third are not provided with the function of Seatbelt reminders. 

The ADAS Features are not provided in any of the variants.

So, is the Scorpio N unsafe?

Everyone would be curious now, as after this analysis we did. Well, the simple answer to this has two sides -

First side - The Scorpio N is safe if you are sitting inside the car. It is built with the help of strong metal, and overall, the structure (Chassis) is also robust. So, the ultimatum is that it is one of the safest SUVs to buy if you are the one using it. 

Second Side - This side might be a little complex because it is not safe when you are the one who has been hit by Scorpio N. Let us explain. 

Basically, in the past, there have been many cases where a pedestrian was hit by a car, and the end result was nothing but death. So, over time, car makers around the world have been working hard to reduce the possibility of death if, in case, a pedestrian gets hit by a car. Then, have they come up with any solution?

Well, yes, they did. The solution was simple, which was to keep the height of the car’s bonnet low. This helps bring down the possibility of death, as there will be a minimum amount of area getting in contact with the pedestrian. 

Well, today, this is what SUVs hate because everyone wants that tall, bold stance, so they have to keep the nose of the bonnet stand high. But, it is not like there is no remedy for this, as there is a remedy for this, too. This remedy is called ADAS, which, unfortunately, the Scorpio N misses out. ADAS has one feature of Autonomous Emergency Braking, this feature makes the car brake itself and prevents the probable crash. 

So, maybe the only thing restricting the Scorpio N from getting a 5-star safety rating is nothing but ADAS. But, all we can do is just hope the Scorpio N gets the needed features in its facelift or next generation, for which we have very little hope. Why, you ask? Well, the Scorpio N’s top model already costs ₹30 lacs , and now add the ADAS features; here you go, the prices have jumped from ₹33 lacs to ₹35 lacs . Well, we really cannot presume these things, as they might or might not happen, so we should wait for the time to tell us.