Major car firm's new speedy EV fails to get five-star safety rating after key feature is removed | The Sun
A MAJOR car firm's EV has failed to secure a five-star safety rating after a key feature was removed.
The industry giant's fastest electric car was marked down by regulators for stripping an important safety device out of its design.
Officials at the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) declined to award the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT the top grade over the missing tech.
The GT version of the model does not come equipped with a central airbag between the front two seats.
The device is designed to prevent a clash of heads between the driver and passenger in the event of a severe side-on crash, known as a T-bone.
This is in contrast to the rest of the Mach-E range, which was awarded five stars.
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The GT is a faster version of the brand's flagship EV and is actually the quickest motor offered by Ford.
It is even swifter than the V8 petrol-powered Mustang which built the name badge's legend.
The model still meets the required safety standard to be sold in Australia but has not been given the tip-top accreditation afforded to other EVs.
For example, the Tesla Model Y and Kia Niro were both awarded five stars by ANCAP last year, with the Tesla achieving a record 98% score in the Safety Assist category of the test.
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The failure to secure the five-star rating means it cannot be used in government fleets in the country.
Reacting to the news, EV expert Sam Evans, also known as The Electric Viking, said on YouTube: "Ford's fastest electric car should probably be its safest one.
"It's missing something that's considered crucial for a car to be safe.
"It didn't get the five-star safety rating that you would expect from a new car."
Ford has been contacted for comment.
It comes after an EV owner explained that he regrets buying one as he's lost money and can't get insurance.
Meanwhile, shocking new figures found that nearly half of all speed cameras in England and Wales don't actually work.
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