Euro NCAP Find that Dacia Lodgy Dissapoints while 14 Other New Cars Score Five Stars

The safety gurus at the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP), an independent organization that assesses and scores vehicle safety, have released a new round of scores for 15 new models, many of which were presented at the recent Paris Motor Show.

With one exception, the new Dacia Lodgy minivan that Euro NCAP said "budgets on safety" as it was rated with a mediocre three stars out of five, all other cars tested were awarded five stars.

Euro NCAP criticized the Renault Group's decision to not offer the electronic stability control (ESC) as standard equipment on the Lodgy, while also noting that the Dacia model scored poorly for pedestrian and child protection.

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Irmscher Working on New Styling and Performance Packages for Opel Mokka

Irmscher, a tuner of all things Opel, is offering us our first look at the program it is preparing for the German automaker's newest arrival, the Mokka small crossover, which is sold in Britain as a Vauxhall and in North America, as the Buick Encore, starting from the first quarter of 2013.

The crossover's aesthetics can be upgraded with Irmscher's signature front grille that places the Opel logo in the center, protective metal bars under the doors, a larger roof spoiler (which is not pictured in these renderings), black or silver side stripes, and a quad tailpipe exhaust system.

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