Nissan Pathfinder scored well in EuroNCAP tests

In its recently unveiled study, European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP) has proven Nissan Pathfinder full-size SUV to be one of the safest sports utility vehicles in the market.



EuroNCAP tests new cars in three categories: front impact, side impact and pedestrian impact. The Pathfinder scored well in all three categories getting 32 points while the average score for the category is 28 points.



The new Nissan Pathfinder got 12 points in front impact test, 18 points in side crash test and got additional 2 points thanks to its front seat belts reminder system, achieving overall four-stars rating for adult occupant protection. Only the new Audi Q7 SUV seems to better than the Pathfinder getting four, four and two stars respectively.



In child occupant and pedestrian protection tests Nissan Pathfinder was not that good, taking three and two stars respectively, because in the frontal test, the chests of both the 1½ and the 3 year old dummies were subjected to high decelerations and there is no pedestrian protection offered by the vehicle's leading edge of the bonnet.

Photos: Nissan

See also: Nissan Pathfinder by Marc Ecko: Urban Warfare style

Technorati tags: Nissan, Pathfinder, SUV, EuroNCAP, cars

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New Jeep Patriot to invade Europe

Jeep plans to present its new Patriot SUV to European customers during the upcoming motor show in Geneva. Available with a nice pack of features offered at a "competitive" price, the new Jeep Patriot is supposed to become an entry-level vehicle of choice for the American brand.



The European version of the new Jeep Patriot will be offered with a standard 2.4-liter petrol engine and an optional 2.0-liter turbocharged oil-burner in both left- and right-hand drive.



The standard package will include such features as side-curtain airbags, ABS, ESP, electronic roll mitigation system and the Freedom Drive I, a full-time, active four-wheel-drive system with Lock mode.



The company promises that the new Jeep Patriot will be available in Europe in the second quarter.



See also: Vauxhall Antara will start at £19,850

Technorati tags: Jeep, Patriot, SUV, engine, cars

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Vauxhall Antara will start at £19,850

Trying to make as bigger splash as possible, Vauxhall is bringing its new Vauxhall Antara SUV to the masses in three trims stuffed with standard equipment at a really compelling price.

Consider this: the cheapest Vauxhall Antara E comes to you with a 2.4-liter engine, ESP, Descent Control System, 17-inch alloy wheels, remote control ultrasonic alarm, front fog lights and an intelligent four-wheel drive.



The rest of the pack doesn't disappoint either.

Mid-range Vauxhall Antara S features such standard equipment as 18-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, climate and cruise control, rain-sensitive windscreen wipers, self-leveling suspension and heat-reflective windscreen.



The top of the line Vauxhall Antara SE adds to the list a DVD-based satellite navigation system, a built-in Bluetooth, six-disc CD changer with MP3, xenon, leather seat facings, front and rear parking distance sensors and an on-board tire pressure monitoring system.



Alas the famous Flex-Fix bike carrier system first featured on the new Opel/Vauxhall Corsa is available only as an option and carries a hefty price tag of £475.

The price list of trims goes like this:

Trim	Gearbox	Price
Antara E 2.4i 16v	manual	£19,850
Antara E 2.0 CDTi 16v	manual	£20,995
Antara E 2.0 CDTi 16v	automatic	£22,395
Antara S 2.0 CDTi 16v	manual	£22,595
Antara S 2.0 CDTi 16v	automatic	£23,995
Antara SE 2.0 CDTi 16v	manual	£26,295
Antara SE 2.0 CDTi 16v	automatic	£27,695

Permalink: Vauxhall Antara will start at £19,850