A range of the latest active safety systems use data from a variety of feeds and sensors to ensure the new Leon is ready to adapt and react to different driving scenarios
Including Autonomous Emergency Braking, Side and Exit Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, Traffic Jam Assist, Light Assist and Pre-Crash Assist, working together to create a protective bubble around the vehicle and the passengers.
The Pre-Cash Assist system reacts in 0.2 seconds should it detect a collision is about to happen - the seat belts pre-tense, the hazard light flash, the side windows and sunroof close to help protect the passengers.
Dr Werner Tietz, SEAT’s Vice-President for Research and Development, commented: “We’re extremely proud that the new SEAT Leon achieved Euro NCAP’s top rating across all its different variants – five-door and Estate body types, combustion engine and PHEV powertrains. This is a reflection of the emphasis we place on safety, and our openness to integrating the latest technologies, whether active or passive, to achieve this goal.”
Every two years Euro NCAP re-evaluates their testing practices, and the latest are the strictest and most thorough to date. SEAT are committed to continue developing vehicles that excel during tests, no matter how strict the regulations become.
An important change to the Euro NCAP's test procedures is the introduction of the moving barrier to moving car frontal crash test, replacing the moderate offset-deformable barrier test.
Side impact tests have also been updated recent to include adjustments to the near-side barrier test speed and mass, increasing the severity of the crash. For the first time Euro NCAP evaluates far-side impact protection, focusing on the protection and the potential interaction between driver and front seat passenger in a collision.
Euro NCAP has placed further emphasis on the latest generation of active safety systems, including new scenarios to rate Autonomous Emergency Braking technology including turning at a crossing. There is also a system to evaluate Driver Status Monitoring systems, designed to detect driver fatigue and distraction, as part of the Safety Assist assessment.