VIDEO: Audi's baby SUV gets EuroNCAP 5-star rating

Everyone is obsessed with safety, and why shouldn't we?

Audi is pleased to report that their Q3 passed the European New Car Assessment Programme crash test with flying colours, picking up five stars along the way.

Interstingly EuroNCAP has developed and ESC testing methodology and there is a video of how they test a vehicle's electronic stability control.

Video and more photos of the crash test together with Audi's Press release after the jump

MEDIA RELEASE
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Five stars for the Audi Q3 in the Euro NCAP crash test

• Audi Q3 achieves top score for passive crash safety
• Specially designed front end for good pedestrian protection

The Euro NCAP consortium has awarded the new Audi Q3 the maximum five-star rating for passive crash safety. The results for adult protection in a frontal, rear or side collision, as well as for child safety and pedestrian protection, make the new Audi Q3 among the safest cars in its category.

Founded in 1997, the consortium is made up of international representatives from European transport ministries, automobile associations, insurers and consumer protection organizations. It performs extensive testing of the crash performance of new cars. The demanding test requirements of the Euro NCAP far exceed the standards of European lawmakers.

The scores awarded by the testers to the Q3 for driver and passenger protection in frontal and side impact collisions easily earned the car the top rating of five stars. Children are also well protected in the new Audi Q3. Euro NCAP also assesses the fasten seatbelt reminder for the front and in particular the rear seat passengers. The Audi Q3 comes standard with both systems.

Ensuring protection for pedestrians is an important concern for Audi. The Q3 features a front end specially designed for this requirement that helps to mitigate the consequences of a collision, and this is reflected in the model’s good score for pedestrian protection.

Audi also values active safety above and beyond the measures assessed by Euro NCAP. The standard daytime running lights, for instance, provide the Audi Q3 with greater visibility, particularly for pedestrians. Additional driver assistance systems include the standard dynamic stability control (ESP) plus Audi active lane assist and Audi side assist, which are available as options.