Renault supermini wins five safety stars

A new car on sale next week has become the first supermini to achieve a maximum 5-star safety rating in an official European crash test programme.

The Renault Modus, on sale from September 12, also achieved a 4-star rating for the protection it offers child occupants in the event of a crash.

The new model was tested as part of the on-going European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP).

Full results of the latest batch of models to be tested will be announced in November.

Renault is the only carmaker to have seven vehicles with the coveted 5-star rating in the tests.

Euro NCAP secretary general Adrian Hobbs said: “A supermini offering 5-star occupant protection will help reduce death and injury on the roads.

“It proves once and for all that if manufacturers are committed to safety they can introduce leading-edge safety designs that will protect people in the event of an accident. The Modus rating shows that you don’t have to buy a big car to be safe.”