Renault Duster sold in India scores zero in Global NCAP tests

Renault India's Duster SUV recently went through the Global NCAP safety tests, but the results were far from impressive. The base version of the India-made Renault Duster scored a zero star rating on the Global NCAP, while the mid-range variant scraped off with a 3 star rating. Both the base and mid-range variants however scored a 2 star rating when it came to the rear seat child occupancy safety.According to the report, the base variant of the of Renault Duster does not pack in safety features like airbags or ABS with EBD. GNCAP rated its body as unstable with the driver and front passenger being extremely prone to head and chest injury. The knees of the front passenger too are at risk and are exposed to injury because of the materials used in the dashboard.The mid-range model however scored a decent 3 star rating. The model that comes from Latin America scored a much better 4-star rating thanks to the presence of diver-side airbags, but in the Latin NCAP tests.While automakers are currently allowed to sell vehicles with airbags and other safety equipment in India as optional, all of this is about to change. From October 2017, the automotive industry will have to make dual airbags, ABS with EBD as a standard across all variants.The Road Transport and Highways Ministry in a draft notification said that it will make it mandatory for all automakers to equip not just new cars but even existing models with the above mentioned equipment, making them standard fitments from October 2017.