ENCAP to enhance its testing

Euro NCAP, the crash test programme which has established the star rating system as the 'safety quality mark' for carmakers in Europe, is to set up an additional aspect which will highlight the safety potential of advanced vehicle safety technologies.

Details will be announced at the eSafety Challenge event at the Millbrook Proving Grounds in mid-July.

ENCAP is operated as a joint initiative by a number of European motoring organisations. It was set up in 1997 and the first car to gain a 5-star rating did so in 2001.

The rating system was upshifted in 2009 with improvements relating to whiplash potential and advanced car safety technologies such as ESP.