The new Mini Cooper has got a top five-star rating for adult occupant protection in the latest round of Euro NCAP tests.But the Cooper fared less well in child protection, scoring three stars and 59 per cent in those tests, with particular criticism of the head protection afforded to a three-year-old occupant.The Mini comes with six airbags as standard – all of which seemed to do their job well.Despite the new Mini having been designed to meet new pedestrian impact legislation, it still only got two out of four for pedestrian protection. “The bumper and the front edge of the bonnet scored no points for the protection they offered to pedestrians' legs,” said the NCAP report.Although that’s not bad for the class, and one star more than the last Mini achieved, it’s less than the Vauxhall Corsa, Suzuki Swift and Fiat Punto managed.NCAP also tested the Peugeot 207CC, which like its hatchback sibling got five out of five for adult occupant protection. It wasn’t tested for child protection, and scored two out of four for pedestrian protection; one star less than the hatch.
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