Global NCAP tests improved Tata Zest; gives it a 4-star rating

After getting a zero star rating the first time, Tata made some structural changes in its Zest compact sedan and has now finally achieved a 4-star rating in the Global NCAP .

The standard entry-level model of the Tata Zest does not pack in much apart from the standard seat-belts in terms of passenger safety. Tata went back, and added a few safety features like two airbags and two seat-belt pretensioners. Add to this some structural improvements to the existing car and it was enough to earn a 4 star rating in adult occupant safety. Also added were child restraint systems that bumped up the child safety rating to 2 stars.

It is important to note that these changes were made for testing purposes on an existing production model. But Tata Motors has confirmed that the same would soon be incorporated on to the production cars.

Last we heard from the Global NCAP it was for the Renault Kwid and the Honda Mobilio which got disappointing ratings in global NCAP crash test.

Crash testing and safety will begin to matter soon than later as the government has begun to look closely at automakers especially to do with budget segment or base models of compact cars.

The Road Transport and Highways Ministry in a draft notification said that it will make it mandatory for all automakers to equip not just new cars but even existing models with the above mentioned equipment, making them standard fitments from October 2017.