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volume two, issue five
May, 2007
volume two, issue seven. July, 2007
research news
New data shows that ESC
technology could help reduce
UK road deaths by 25%
Page three
Page eight
Research
proves
ESC works
ESC
dynamic
testing
ESC
ESC technology could cut
road deaths by up to a quarter
New research has found that vehicles
equipped with Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) are 25% less likely
to be involved in a fatal accident than those without it. If every vehicle
on the road were fitted with ESC, this would equate to approximately
380 fewer fatal accidents each year. The research was conducted by the Vehicle Safety Research Centre
(VSRC) at Loughborough University,
for the UK Department for Transport.
(Electronic
Stability Control)
Vehicle without ESC (red car)
1r Vehicle approcahes an obstacle.
2r Vehicle goes off course, enters oncoming traffic lane and driver loses control. 3r Countersteering causes the vehicle to go into a skid.
'
2
Vehicle with ESC (green car)
1g Vehicle approaches an obstacle.
2g Vehicle threathens to break away. ESC intervenes and restores full steerability.
3g Countersteer results in threat of renewed breakaway. ESC intervenes again. 4g Vehicle is stabilised.
two
'
'
2
2
'
The study concluded that ESC was
especially effective in helping to prevent crashes that involved a vehicle skidding or overturning, with the potential to reduce serious accidents like this by up to 59%. As well as this, it concluded that ESC could offer additional benefits in adverse road conditions such as rain, ice and snow. Studies from various countries have already
shown it to be very effective at reducing accidents. This latest study,
however, focuses on UK roads
specifically and shows similar results
to other important global studies on
ESC effectiveness.
Dr. Stephen Ladyman, the Road
Safety Minister said: “Today’s research proves what a powerful tool
ESC could be in saving lives. I urge
anyone thinking of buying a new car
to consider the safety benefits that
ESC could bring. Ask the vendor if it
comes as standard and, if not, investigate whether it could be fitted
as an option. I also call on manufacturers to fit this important piece of kit
as standard more widely - it’s not expensive and has the potential to
make our roads significantly safer.”
What does it do?
ESC prevents the driver losing
control in a skid. ESC automatically
controls the vehicle by comparing the steering and braking actions
carried out by the driver to what the
vehicle is actually doing. If the ESC
senses that the vehicle is veering
from the required course – a skid – it automatically brakes selective
wheels to bring the car back into line.
It is particularly effective in poor driving conditions such as ice and snow.
•
ESC can help prevent you from losing control of your car or skidding during high speed manoeuvres such as a rapid avoidance manoeuvre on the motorway, or a skid on a slippery surface
• ESC actuation is automatic and requires no input on behalf of the driver
• ESC can reduce your risk of involvement in a life threatening crash by up to 25%
•
ESC is fitted as standard on only 47% of new cars on sale in the UK today – but available as an expensive extra cost option on many more
Oversteer
If you swerve to avoid an obstacle
– such as a rapid lane change on
a motorway, oversteer can occur
making the vehicle turn more than
intended, ultimately leading to a spin.
ESC can prevent this by braking individual wheels to maintain control.
Understeer
If you are driving too fast into a corner, understeer can occur. This would
result in a loss of steering control as
your car continues to follow a straight
path and not steering as required.
ESC can help retain steering control and allow the car to travel in the
desired direction.
•
However fitment of ESC is much higher in other European countries, such as Germany and Sweden where cars have ESC as standard
•
Many manufacturers offer ESC as an option, often bundled in an expensive option pack but less than 1% of customers order it – preferring optional sound systems
•
ESC costs on average £440 to fit as an option, but the cost of the components is well under £100, so why don’t all vehicle manufacturers fit it as standard?
three
four
Alfa Romeo: Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
Copen
Patriot
Mitsubishi: Active Stability & Traction Control (M-ASTC)
147 (new)
Materia
Kia: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
i
159
Terios
Picanto (new)
Colt
Brera / Spider (new)
Dodge: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Rio
Lancer
GT
Caliber
Cee’d
Lancer Evolution IX
Audi: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
SRT-10
Magentis
Grandis
A3
Fiat: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Carens (new)
Outlander (new)
A4
Panda
Sedona
Shogun Sport
A5
Grande Punto
Sportage
Shogun
A6 / All road
Stilo
Sorento (new)
Shogun (new)
A8
Bravo
Land Rover: Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
Nissan: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
TT (new)
Idea
Freelander 2
Micra
R8
Doblo
Defender (new)
Note
Q7
Multipla
Discovery 3
Qashqai
BMW: Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
Sedici
Range Rover Sport
X-Trail
1-Series (new)
Ford: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Range Rover
Murano
3-Series (new)
Ka
Lexus: Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)
Pathfinder
5-Series (new)
Fiesta
IS
Patrol
6-Series
Fusion
GS
350Z (new)
7-Series
Focus
LS (new)
Peugeot: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Z4
Mondeo
SC
107
X3 (new)
Mondeo (new)
RX
1007
X5 (new)
Focus C-Max
Lotus
206
Cadillac: StabiliTrak Stability Control System
S-Max
Elise
207
BLS
Galaxy
Europa S
307
CTS
Honda: Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
Exige
407
Escalade
Jazz
2 Eleven
607
SRX
Civic
Mazda: Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
Partner Combi
STS
Civic Hybrid
2
807
XLR
Accord
3
Porsche: Porsche Stability Management (PSM)
Chevrolet: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Legend
5
Boxster
Matiz
CR-V (new)
6
Cayman
Kalos
FR-V (new)
MX-5
911
Lacetti
S2000
RX-8
Cayenne (new)
Tacuma
Hyundai: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Mercedes: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Proton
Captiva
Amica
A-Class
Savvy
Chrysler: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Getz
B-Class
Satria Neo
300 C
Accent
C-Class
Gen 2
PT Cruiser
Sonata
C-Class (new)
Impian
Voyager / Grand Voyager
Coupé (new)
E-Class
Renault: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Crossfire
Matrix
CLS-Class
Clio II (Campus)
Citroen: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Tucson
S-Class
Clio III
C1
Santa Fe
SLK-Class
Megane II
C2
Jaguar: Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
CLK-Class
Laguna II
C3
X-Type
CL-Class (new)
Modus
C4
S-Type
SL-Class
Kangoo
C5
XJ (new)
R-Class
Scenic / Grand Scenic II
C6
Daimler Super Eight
M-Class
Espace / Grand Espace IV
Xsara Picasso
XK
GL-Class
Saab: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
C4 Picasso / Grand C4 Picasso
Jeep: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
SLR
9-3
C8
Wrangler (new)
Viano
9-5
Berlingo Multispace
Compass
MINI: Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
Seat: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Daihatsu
Cherokee
MINI Convertible (old)
Ibiza
Charade
Grand Cherokee
MINI (new)
Leon
Sirion
Commander
Altea
five
Altea XL
Beetle
Toledo
Eos
Alhambra
Jetta
Skoda: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Passat
Fabia
Phaeton
Fabia (new)
Touran (new)
Roomster
Sharan
Octavia
Touareg (new)
Superb
Volvo: Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC)
Smart: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
C30
Fortwo (new)
S40 / V50
SsangYong: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
S60
Rodius
V70 / XC70
Kyron
C70
Rexton
S80
Subaru: Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
XC90 (new)
ESC Button – Use only in emergencies
Legacy (new)
Forester (new)
Tribeca
Suzuki: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Wagon R+
Swift
Ignis
Liana
A Guide to the Ratings
Thatcham illustrates where ESC is fitted in a model
range by an oblong box. The left side of the box represents the lowest model in a range – the right
hand side, the highest specification, most luxurious
model.
GREEN
Means ESC is standard fit – buy this model with confidence
YELLOW
Check if the vehicle you wish to buy has ESC fitted – if not you will have to pay for it
Yaris
RED
CAUTION! ESC not available
Auris
EXAMPLE Peugeot 207
SX4
Grand Vitara (new)
Jimny
Toyota: Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)
Aygo
Avensis
Prius
Verso
i
Low
Model Specification
Land Cruiser Amazon
Vauxhall: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Agila
Corsa (new)
Astra
Vectra
Signum
Tigra
VXR8
Meriva
Zafira
Antara
Volkswagen: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Fox
Polo
Golf
Golf Plus
six
There is slow progress being made
on standard fitment of ESC in the
UK car market. In 2006 Thatcham
reported that only 40% of cars were
fitted with ESC as standard across
the range, however this year it has
risen to 47%. Thatcham recommends
that manufacturers should make ESC
standard fit across the model range
to help prevent the risk of collisions.
i
High
RAV-4
Land Cruiser
require switching on. ESC is a major
safety feature and could save your
life. Do not touch your ESC button,
unless those specific conditions
are encountered. For further information, please consult your vehicle
handbook.
Standard fitment - slow progress
Impreza (new)
Outback (new)
The majority of cars are fitted with
an ESC switch which can be used
to switch the ESC off when certain
unusual road conditions are encountered - like moving off in deep snow.
ESC is by default switched ON when
you start your vehicle, so it does not
At the time of writing, this manufacturer has all three
scenarios available on this vehicle. The base model
does not have ESC at all, so the box shows a red
line on the left hand side. Most mid spec models
have ESC as an option (yellow), so make sure you
order it when you buy the car. The green on the right
of the box means only the high spec model has it as
standard, so you can buy with confidence.
Results derived from sales literature in summer 2007.
NOTE: ESC CANNOT DEFY THE LAWS OF
PHYSICS. IF YOU ARE TRAVELLING TOO FAST
FOR THE ROAD CONDITIONS, ESC CAN ONLY
HELP PREVENT AN ACCIDENT OCCURRING.
2006
2007
Not available at all
Optional across entire range
Standard across entire range
Combination of fitment
50% of new car models introduced
to the UK market in the last year still
do not have ESC fitted as standard
across the range, despite mounting
international pressure.
Of those models that did not offer
ESC as standard in 2006 and were
updated or face-lifted over the last
year, around half have not had their
level of ESC fitment increased, despite the opportunity to fit this essential safety technology.
UK fitment lags behind EU
In Sweden, both Vauxhall (Opel) and Toyota are now supplying every
car in their entire model range with
ESC fitted as standard. However, in the UK, the ESC fitment on Vauxhalls and Toyotas is sadly lacking, with only two models from each
of these ranges sold with ESC as
standard (Vauxhall’s Antara & VXR8,
and Toyota’s Avensis & Prius).
It is clear that the UK has a lower fitment than other European Countries, as shown by the data published
by Folksam and GDV. These studies
show that the proportion of models
with ESC fitted as standard across
the range is 58% in Germany, and
71% in Sweden, but only 47% in the UK.
Standard ESC fitment:
Country Comparison
0ERCENTAGEô-ODELSôWITHô
%3#ô3TANDARDô&IT
Poor fitment for fleets
Fleet and business sales account for the majority of new car sales in
the UK each year. However, from the
top 10 models based on non-private
car sales in 2006, only 2 models
(Volkswagen Golf and Passat) have
ESC fitted as standard.
Top 10 non-private car sales
for UK in 2006
ESC fitment in the UK
Ford Focus
Vauxhall Astra
Renault Megane
Vauxhall Corsa
Ford Fiesta
Ford Mondeo
Vauxhall Zafira
VW Golf
Vauxhall Vectra
VW Passat
Thatcham recommends that fleet
buyers should purchase models with ESC fitted as standard, and should purchase it as an option at extra cost if necessary. 5+
'ERMANY
3WEDEN
ESC – three letters
to save your life.
ESC could potentially
save 380 lives annually on UK roads.
BUYING YOUR NEXT CAR – INSIST ON
ESC, IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!
seven
Thatcham ESC
Dynamic Testing
Thatcham has used track demonstrations to show the operation of ESC
systems and their effectiveness.
The test that Thatcham used is an
approximation of the test devised by
NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration) in the US. This
test manoeuvre is technically known
as Sine with Dwell, which explains
the movement of the steering wheel
during the rapid lane change at
80km/h. In the official tests for the US
market a steering robot controls the
wheel.
A fleet of 17 different new vehicles
were demonstrated, and these were
a mixture of small-medium cars,
MPVs and 4x4s. Some were fitted
with ESC whilst others were not. It
was also interesting that when purchasing the fleet of test cars, it was
not possible to purchase the ESC
option on some, even though ESC
should have been available as an
option. Thatcham recommends that
manufacturers should ensure that
ESC is available on all new vehicles
from launch date.
NHTSA FMVSS 126 Test
Matthew Avery, Research Manager - Crash
The demonstrations showed that the
ESC equipped vehicles did not spin
out of control during the rapid lane
change manoeuvre, but those vehicles without ESC lost control. During
the demonstration of a sports car,
the result was the same - Not having ESC, it span out of control when
put through this extreme manoeuvre.
Overall the demonstrations showed
clear results of spin or no spin, according to the absence/presence
of ESC. However, there were also
different levels of intervention from
the ESC systems, where some
kept tight control of the vehicle
trajectory, whereas others
allowed greater amounts of
yaw whilst retaining control.
US moves ahead with
legislation
Thatcham’s track demonstrations
were based on the Sine with Dwell
manoeuvre at 50 mph (80 km/h)
defined in FMVSS 126 by NHTSA
(the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration) in the US.
In the official tests for the US
Steering wheel angle input
market a steering robot controls the
wheel. The FMVSS Regulation 126
will make ESC mandatory in the US
by 2012, with a phase-in schedule
from 2009.
Where is Europe?
There is no current legislation
regarding ESC for Europe. At the
Choose ESC! Launch, the European
Commission said it is considering
introducing legislation in 2009 to
make ESC mandatory on all new
cars in 2012.
Global insurers move together
in
: No sp
ESC on
ESC off: Spin
eight
Steering robot
controls steering input
Members of the Research Council
for Automobile Repairs (RCAR)
have grouped together to form the
“P-SAFE” working group on Primary
Safety. Thatcham is leading the
P-SAFE working group on Primary
Safety. This group has concerns
that the NHTSA FMVSS 126 test
is too severe and does not explain
the significant benefit of ESC seen
on our roads where such violent
manoeuvres are rare. The group
is interested in investigating a low
velocity ESC test that looks at
understeer and low friction surfaces,
with the aim of ensuring the robustness of ESC systems and preventing sub-optimisation.
The P-Safe group aims to investigate the primary safety technologies that are brought to market.
These technologies aim to prevent
collisions from occurring, with the
clear benefits of reduced material
damage costs, and reduction of
personal injury claims. A host of
such systems are now presented
in the current vehicle model range,
including Electronic Stability Control
(ESC), Collision Mitigation Braking
System (CMBS), and Lane Departure Warning (LDW), which form the
initial focus of the group’s research.
The international group has
members from Europe, Australia
and North America.
nine
Member Companies
Admiral Insurance Co Ltd
Allianz Insurance plc
Amlin Insurance Services
Ansvar Insurance Co Ltd
AXA Insurance UK plc
Brit Insurance Ltd
Chaucer Insurance
Co-operative Insurance Society Ltd
Direct Line Insurance plc
Ecclesiastical Insurance Grp
Equity Red Star Motor Policies
Esure Insurance Ltd
Fortis Insurance Ltd
Groupama Insurance Company Ltd
Highway Insurance Company Ltd
HSBC Insurance (UK) Ltd
Illium Managing Agy Ltd
Insurance Corp of Channel Islands Ltd
Jubilee Motor Policies at Lloyd’s
KGM Underwriting Agencies Ltd
Landmark Insurance Co Ltd
Legal & General Insurance Ltd
Liverpool Victoria Friendly Society Ltd
MIT Syndicate 3210 at Lloyd’s
MMA Insurance plc
Norwich Union Insurance Ltd
Provident Insurance plc
QBE Insurance Co (UK) Ltd
RBS Insurance
Royal & Sun Alliance plc
The NFU Mutual Ins. Society Ltd
Trafalgar Insurance plc
UK Insurance Ltd
Zurich Insurance Co
Thatcham
featured
in next
month’s
edition...
Pedestrian safety
Best design practice for
Old vs new
Vehicle manufacturer business
Security update
Cars, vans, trucks, motor bikes and plant
is a not-for-profit organisation.
Our aim is to carry out research
targeted at containing or reducing
the cost of motor insurance claims,
whilst maintaining safety and
quality standards.
Colthrop Way, Thatcham
Berkshire RG19 4NR
Tel: 01635 868855
Fax: 01635 871346
Email: [email protected]
www.thatcham.org