Renault Safety

A breakthrough in safety

Louis Renault's original Voiturette featured a geartrain transmission that was more reliable and less dangerous than today's more conventional chains or belts.

Front-wheel brakes

Renault's six-cylinder 18CV and 40CV models had brakes on the front wheels, and the 40CV could be fitted with Louis Renault's patented mechanical servo-brake, for stronger braking action.

Independent front suspension

The Juvaquatre was the first Renault with independent front suspension, for better road holding, and an all-steel monocoque structure, for better protection.

The opening of Lardy

The Lardy centre (near Paris) was set up to handle tests on all future Renault vehicles. This was where the first impact resistance tests were carried out.

Accidentology studies

Renault set up a physiology and biomechanics laboratory run by a doctor, to help vehicle design teams develop safe cars. From this moment on, crash-tests would take on major importance in vehicle design and safety engineering.

Disc brakes on small cars

The R8 was the first compact car to be fitted with disc brakes on all four wheels, a feature previously reserved for large cars.

The LAB

Renault and PSA Peugeot-Citroen set up the joint Accident Analysis and Biomechanics Laboratory (LAB).

Basic Research Vehicle

The BRV (Basic Research Vehicle) was developed for studies into passive safety.

The safety cell

Renault presented EPURE (vehicle for research into road user and environment protection), featuring the concept of a non-deformable cabin, and allowing for pedestrian impact.

ABS

ABS appeared on the R25.

Protecting passengers

Driver airbag and seatbelt pretensioners appeared on CLIO, R19 and SAFRANE.

Permanent innovation

The second-generation Renault System of Restraint and Protection (SRP2) appeared, with driver and passenger airbags, load limiters, pretensioners and headrests with close-up protection.

The first-ever 5 stars

Renault introduced ESC Electronic Stability Control on LAGUNA II, traction control and third-generation SRP. LAGUNA II became the maker's first car to obtain the top five-star rating in the Euro NCAP crash-tests.

5 stars for MEGANE and VEL SATIS

MEGANE II and VEL SATIS obtained five-star Euro NCAP crash-test ratings.

5 stars for SCENIC and ESPACE

ESPACE IV and SCENIC II obtained five-star Euro NCAP crash-test ratings.

Small car, perfect safety

Five-star Euro NCAP crash-test ratings were achieved by MEGANE Cabriolet and MODUS (the first five-star car of this category).

5 stars for CLIO III

CLIO III obtained a five-star Euro NCAP crash-test rating.

Ground-breaking

Laguna III obtained a five-star Euro NCAP crash-test rating, with a record score of 36 out of 37.

MEGANE III: Safest Vehicle in any category

With a score of 37 out of 37 in its Euro NCAP crash tests, MEGANE III stands out as the safest vehicle in any class ever tested by the independent road safety body. MEGANE III has safety in its genes. It is a fundamental part of the car, which was developed to set standards in both active and passive safety.

12th model to reach 5 stars

Grand SCENIC III becomes the 12th model of the Renault range to secure Euro NCAP's maximum five-star crash-test rating, despite the stepping up of the severity of the independent body's evaluation criteria (side and rear impact, child and adult protection, pedestrian protection, equipment).

5 stars for CLIO IV

CLIO IV was awarded a five-star rating following passive tests carried out by Euro NCAP. This result, achieved in spite of more stringent procedures from the independent body in January 2012, provides a further illustration of Renault's passive safety expertise.

5 stars for CAPTUR

Renault CAPTUR achieves 5 stars at the end of passive safety tests conducted by Euro NCAP. CAPTUR becomes the fifteenth Renault to achieve 5 stars.

5 stars for ZOE

Renault ZOE was awarded a five-star rating following the passive safety tests carried out by Euro NCAP. ZOE obtained an overall score of 82 per cent (including the maximum rating for pedestrian safety) and consequently figured among the very best models in its segment.

5 stars for CLIO V and CAPTUR II

CLIO is a 30 years long success story. The CLIO V kept the road-holding and safety legacy of its predecessors and got awarded the safest car in the B-Hatch category. Similarly, All-New CAPTUR received the award of the safest car in the B-SUV category.

Featuring a camera and radar-based Automatic Emergency Braking System, Lane Departure Warning and Traffic Sign Recognition, CLIO V and CAPTUR II respond to fast-moving vulnerable road-users (such as cyclists).