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Two Kia models awarded top honours by EuroNCAP

Kia Sportage and Venga awarded 5-Star safety rating by EuroNCAP

Korean brand continues to demonstrate commitment to vehicle safety

Both models available with a host of active and passive safety features

A duo of new Kia vehicles has been awarded top honours by the leading independent European safety organisation, EuroNCAP.

The Kia Sportage SUV and Venga B-segment MPV were both given the maximum 5-Star rating, placing them at the top of their respective classes and in the distinguished company of other Kia models such as the Soul, cee’d and Sorento.

Kia Sportage obtained scores of 93 per cent for Adult Occupant Protection, 86 per cent for Child Occupant protection, 49 per cent for Pedestrian Protection and 86 per cent for Safety Assist. Venga scored 89, 85, 64 and 71 respectively, in the same categories.

Sportage and Venga also received praise for having Electronic Stability Control (ESC) fitted as standard in most markets.

“These latest results from Euro NCAP highlight Kia’s commitment to ensuring exceptional levels of safety in its vehicles,” commented Benny Oeyen, Marketing Director, Kia Motors Europe.

“In the first instance, Kia’s engineers strive to design vehicles that make it easier for drivers to avoid hazards, thanks to good visibility, powerful braking and excellent road holding. However, in the event that an accident is unavoidable, Kia owners also have peace of mind that they and their passengers are protected by the very best passive safety technology,” Oeyen concluded.

The Kia Venga was originally tested in early 2010 and was awarded a four-star rating. Not content with a less-than-perfect score, Kia’s engineers subsequently made a number of changes to the car and brought Venga back to EuroNCAP for retesting. The revised model specification, which entered production in September 2010, performed strongly in all test areas to secure the maximum 5-Star rating.

All Vengas sold in Europe offer buyers ABS with Brake Assist System (BAS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Hill Assist Control (HAC), six airbags (dual front, side and full-length curtain), front passenger airbag cut-off switch, active front head rests, all-round three-point seatbelts with front-belt pre-tensioners and reminder warning, ISOFIX child seat top tethers and anchors and impact-sensing auto door unlocking.

Sportage buyers will find front, side and full-length curtain airbags with rollover sensor, front passenger airbag cut-off switch, active headrests, ABS, EBD, ESC with Downhill Brake Control (DBC), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), adaptive brake lights, all-round three-point seatbelts with front-belt pre-tensioners and load-limiters and ISOFIX child seat top tethers and anchor fixings all as standard across the European model range.

Editors’ Notes

2010 Kia Venga

The full EuroNCAP test results for Kia Venga are:

Adult Occupant Protection	89% (32 points of max possible 36)
Child Protection	85% (42 points of max possible 49)
Pedestrian Protection	64% (23 points of max possible 36)
Safety Assist	71% (5 points of max possible 7)

2010 Kia Sportage

The full EuroNCAP test results for Kia Sportage are:

Adult Occupant Protection	93% (33 points of max possible 36)
Child Protection	86% (42 points of max possible 49)
Pedestrian Protection	49% (18 points of max possible 36)
Safety Assist	86% (6 points of max possible 7)

**EuroNCAP

The Kia cee’d earned a 5-Star rating under the previous EuroNCAP testing regime in 2007 – the first Korean brand vehicle to achieve this top safety rating. Starting in January 2009, EuroNCAP revised its testing strategy to encompass four main zones of interest – Adult Occupant Protection, Child Protection, Pedestrian Protection and Safety Assist – which contribute 50%, 20%, 20% and 10% to a single overall rating, expressed as a star rating. Ratings achieved under the old regime are not comparable with those achieved under the new scheme.

Kia Motors Europe

Kia Motors Europe is the European sales, marketing, and service arm of Kia Motors Corporation. With its headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, it covers 32 markets in Europe.

About Kia Motors Corporation

Kia Motors Corporation (www.kia.com) – a maker of quality vehicles for the young-at-heart – was founded in 1944 and is Korea’s oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. As part of the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, Kia aims to become one of the world’s premier automotive brands. More than 1.4 million vehicles a year are produced at 13 manufacturing and assembly operations in nine countries. These vehicles are sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering 172 countries. Kia today has more than 40,000 employees and annual revenues of almost US$17 billion. It is the major sponsor of the Australian Tennis Open. Kia is also an official automotive partner of FIFA – the governing body of the FIFA World Cup – as well as a EUROTOP partner of UEFA. Kia Motors Corporation’s brand slogan – ‘The Power to Surprise’ – represents the company’s global commitment to surpassing customer expectations through continuous automotive innovation.

Press Contact

Ilona Tzudnowski (PR Manager Europe)
Tel +49 69 850 928 357 
Email  i.tzudnowski@kia-europe.com

Kia Motors Europe GmbH
Theodor-Heuss-Allee 11
60486 Frankfurt, Germany
Tel +49 69 850 928 352
Fax +49 69 850 928 399