New measures putting more emphasis on pedestrian protection, plus the fitment of stability control systems are set to be introduced in the way safety testing organisation Euro NCAP rates cars. In future evaluations it plans to put more emphasis on pedestrian protection and the fitment of stability control systems.

Euro NCAP has confirmed it will stick to its current five-star rating system, confounding rumours it was set to adopt a six-star standard, but that in future the overall rating will reflect a combination of adult and child occupant protection scores, along with how a car copes with pedestrian impact and whether stability control systems are offered as standard.

“It is imperative that Euro NCAP continues to set higher benchmarks for carmakers to aspire to,” said Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP’s secretary general, “I have no doubt manufacturers will step up to the challenge, just as they did when we first started.”