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The new rating scheme uses a weighted score, combining many aspects of a car's safety performance: adult (50 percent), child (20 percent) and pedestrian (20 percent) protection assessment results with the availability of safety assistance devices (10 percent). A minimum score of 70 percent overall is necessary to achieve a five-star rating. To qualify for inclusion, the safety assistance devices (VSA for Honda) must be fitted, as standard across 85 percent of the EU 27 2009 model range.
The Euro NCAP five star Honda Accord is a top performer in this new rating system with an overall weighted score of 78 percent and will be the main focus of a Honda safety exhibit at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show.
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In addition to the safety performance aspects rated by Euro NCAP, the Accord has a range of passive safety and dynamic safety systems delivering even greater security.
Vehicle Stability Assist
VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) is standard across the range and is designed to assist the driver in maintaining control during cornering, acceleration and sudden manoeuvres by applying braking to the right or left hand wheels as necessary and modulating the engine torque output as required.
Motion Adaptive EPS
The new Accord also features an innovative system in which the capabilities of both VSA and the car's Electric Power Steering are brought to bear. Called Motion Adaptive EPS, it detects instability in slippery conditions both during cornering and under braking and automatically initiates steering inputs aimed at prompting the driver to steer in the correct direction.
The input is barely noticeable and control of the steering remains with the driver at all times. But this supporting steering torque is enough to prompt the driver to act intuitively and the driver's reaction as a result is enough to regain stability or to shorten braking distances, allowing control to be maintained.
