Lancia Ypsilon catches fire during EuroNCAP crash test, BMW Z4 manages just three stars

The Lancia Ypsilon has caught fire during a crash test conducted by EuroNCAP in which it managed a dismal two-star rating.

The independent crash-tester explained that moments after the Italian-made city car completed the offset frontal barrier test a fire started in the engine compartment caused by the positive battery terminal shorting out and setting fire to brake fluid leaking from the reservoir.

EuroNCAP said fire was a rare occurrence during its crash tests and the Fiat Chrysler-owned company said it had never experienced the issue in development testing or in real-world crashes, but is developing a countermeasure to introduce to Ypsilon vehicles this month.

The ageing BMW Z4 sports car has also returned a disappointing three-star safety rating in the latest round of EuroNCAP crash testing.

The assessor was critical of the Z4’s failure to keep up with advancements in safety technology and tougher criteria in EuroNCAP’s rating scheme. The Z4 lacks autonomous emergency braking, lane assist and speed assist systems that are common in other BMW models, contributing to its low score of 46 per cent in the safety assist criteria. Scores of 69 per cent and 61 per cent for adult and child occupant tests respectively were also disappointing.

Despite earning the maximum five stars from ANCAP in single-, king- and dual-cab body styles, the Nissan Navara managed only four stars under EuroNCAP’s scoring system.

The new Mini Clubman also scored just four stars, matching the rating handed out to the three-door Mini Cooper in 2014.