[arunphilip]

CESVI is a division of the Spanish insurance company Mapfre, and the name CESVI stands for Centro de Investigación y Seguridad Vial (translated as Centre for Experimentation and Road Safety).


CESVI performs crash tests of vehicles, not with a view to human safety (unlike NCAP) but with a view to damage assessment, reparability, and repair methodology - which is quite understandable given their parent company is an insurer.

The tests performed are:

1. The front crash test simulates the impact of a vehicle, at a moderate speed, to its front part. The impact occurs at a speed of between 15 and 16 kmph, to 40% of the front left section, crashing into an impact-resistant 35-ton concrete block, (turned 10 degrees anticlockwise from the vehicle's longitudinal axis).
2. The rear crash test reproduces the effect that an impact would have on the rear part of the vehicle, at a moderate speed. A mobile barrier crashes against the vehicle under study at a speed of between 15-16 kmph, affecting 40% of its rear right part, with the vehicle turned 10% anticlockwise from its longitudinal axis.
3. The bumper test which consists of an impact, at low speed (10 kmph) in which the effectiveness of the impact absorbing crossbars in front and rear collisions is evaluated. This tests assesses the effectiveness of the design of each model and the results are applied directly to the premium for insuring that model.

Some points to note are:

• These tests are aimed at assessing common minor crashes of the kind that occur within cities - rear endings and light taps at traffic speeds. This is why there is a difference with NCAP testing, which looks at more extreme testing of the kind that causes injuries to people.
• CESVI's crash test speeds are far lower than those used by the various NCAPs, where the frontal crash test occurs at speeds around 60 kmph, depending on the specific NCAP.
• CESVI also perform rear crash tests, since that is a common type of impact that would generate insurance claims.
• The extent of damage seen in these videos only reflects the reparability, not the safety of the vehicle. So if a vehicle's hood crumples significantly, it only means that it will have more damage to repair, it does not imply the vehicle is unsafe (it could be a sign of effective crumple zones at work, or it could equally be a sign of tin-can construction).

They publish videos of their test results on YouTube:

• CESVI YouTube Channel
• Playlist of Crash Tests

Here are some of their videos, for cars that are also sold in India. Let me repeat again, these videos demonstrate damage/reparability, and not safety, so please don't assume less damage = more safety or more damage = more safety.

Fiat Punto (2012) - Front Crash Test

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQsyOaGch3U

Fiat Punto (2012) - Rear Crash Test

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdahEZIk2AU

Ford Aspire Full-size Sedan (2016)
Note that India gets a compact sedan, with a less protuberant rear bumper

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_i2bGKHSa0

Ford EcoSport (2015) - Rear Crash Test

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83eBnyqY4mA

Nissan Micra (2011) - Front Crash Test

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7H10kntxyds

Nissan Micra (2011) - Rear Crash Test

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b80Iv4v8zxM

Renault/Dacia Duster (2012) - Front Crash Test

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZ2JbfyiOus

Renault/Dacia Duster (2012) - Rear Crash Test

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5Bn0SKLsVg

Škoda Octavia (2014) - Front Crash Test

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIr8Da86QOA

Volkswagen Polo (2012) - Front Crash Test

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf_KZAY58po

Volkswagen Polo (2012) - Rear Crash Test

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHsZJiqDsiU

[arunphilip]

Here are further videos of low-speed tests for cars that are also available in India. Note that these tests are performed in Mexico, and the vehicles may have differing build quality compared to India. Post #1 has details of these tests.

Let me repeat again, these videos demonstrate damage/reparability, and not safety, so lets not assume less damage = more safety or more damage = more safety.

Ford Aspire Full-size Sedan (2016) - Low-Speed Crash Test
Note that India gets a compact sedan, with a less protuberant rear bumper

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_i2bGKHSa0

Ford EcoSport (2014) - Low-Speed Crash Test

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsmFy0BBDjI

Hyundai i10 (2013) - Low-Speed Crash Test
In Mexico where these tests are performed, Chrysler is the dealer, hence its branded as a Dodge

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nEqqLiBBMM

Suzuki Swift (2013) - Low-Speed Crash Test

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsQsqDb3HeY

Volkswagen Polo (2013) - Low-Speed Crash Test

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aET2e8LKl6E

Volkswagen Vento (2014) - Low-Speed Crash Test

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRScp5S-5J4