The optional autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system, which includes Forward Collision Warning (FCW) was fitted to the test vehicle. In tests of its reaction to a car in front, the system generally performed well, with collisions avoided or mitigated in most situations. However, there was no reaction from the FCW at the higher test speeds. The system also detects vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists. Against Euro NCAP’s 2023 protocols, performance was rated as marginal for the system’s response to such road users although, in general, collisions were avoided or mitigated for pedestrians and cyclists.
Image: Euro NCAP
Lane assistance is provided by the optional lane departure warning (LDW) system coupled to lane keep assist (LKA), which gently corrects the vehicle’s path if it is drifting out of lane. The LKA system responds to a variety of lane edges, such as marked lines and unmarked road edges. However, it allowed the vehicle to drift too far over the lane edge before the steering intervention began, and no points were scored. The LDW system met Euro NCAP’s requirements and was rewarded.
A camera and digital mapping are used to establish the local speed limit and this information is presented to the driver who can then set the speed limiter accordingly. This optional speed assistance system was awarded maximum points.
A seatbelt reminder is provided for the driver and, since the autumn of 2021, also for the passenger and centre seating positions. A driver-state monitoring system uses steering inputs to identify behaviour which is characteristic of fatigued or impaired driving and advises the driver to rest. However, the system does not switch on by default (i.e. it has to be turned on by the driver), so was not rewarded.
Overall, good result for the Transit. It has a lot of safety equipment available, as an option only on the base trim level but standard on ‘Trend’ trim level and upwards, and this generally works well. Small details, such as a default-on driver-state monitoring system, would improve the score but, even as it is, the vehicle just clears the threshold for a 2023 Gold medal.
