I. Background

Based on China's road traffic accident research and automotive basic data research, while aligning with internationally advanced NCAPs, CATARC has developed the C-NCAP (2027) over two years. The goal is to continuously improve domestic vehicle safety performance and steadily advance China's road traffic safety from the "zero fatality" target toward "zero serious injury" and ultimately the "zero accident" vision.

During the drafting stage, the 2027 Protocol received strong support from the C-NCAP Technical Committee. During the public consultation period, valuable feedback from across the industry was widely incorporated. After in-depth discussions led by CATARC Automotive Test & Assessment Management Center together with experts from various fields, the draft was revised and finalized. The official version is hereby released.

II. Main Changes

Compared with the C-NCAP (2024), the main changes in the C-NCAP(2027) are as follows:

General

● Adjusted the minimum score rate requirements for star ratings;

● Introduced requirements for physical control devices.

Occupant Protection

● Frontal full width rigid barrier impact test: driver dummy changed from Hybrid III 50th to Hybrid III 5th percentile female;

● Frontal 50% overlap mobile progressive deformable barrier impact test: mobile barrier replaced;

● Added frontal impact occupant diversity protection assessment;

● Added frontal impact assessment for reclined seating postures;

● Frontal active-passive out-of-position occupant protection virtual testing: upgraded from monitoring item to formal evaluation item;

● Side impact occupant diversity protection: added near-side occupant protection assessment;

● Added post-crash safety assessment;

● Added side pole impact hazardous condition test;(NEV)

● Removed the horizontal under-body scraping test for electric vehicles;

● Added seatbelt reminder assessment for third-row passengers;

● Added driver seatbelt usage status reminder test;

● Added occupant posture monitoring assessment.

Vulnerable Road User (VRU) Protection

● Pedestrian protection: added legform test under vehicle braking conditions;

● VRU protection (active safety): added targets for young children, bicycles, and tricycles;

● VRU protection (active safety): expanded scenarios including multiple targets, variable-speed target movement, and adverse weather (rain/fog) simulation.

Active Safety

● Vehicle-to-vehicle conflicts: added expanded scenarios such as severe occlusion, multiple targets, and rain/fog simulation;

● Driver Monitoring System (DMS): added test scenarios for system intervention and false response;

● Removed Lane Departure Warning (LDW) test; LDW now serves as a prerequisite for Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) scoring;

● Lane Keeping Assist (LKA): changed from a test item to a report review item, with added curved road scenarios;

● Emergency Lane Keeping (ELK): changed from a test item to a report review item, with added scenarios for oncoming vehicles, cones, and barriers;

● Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA): upgraded to Rear Cross Traffic Braking (RCTB);

● Added Accelerator Pedal Misapplication Prevention (AMAP) assessment;

● Added local hazard warning assessment.

III. Implementation Date and Protocol Download Address

The C-NCAP(2027) will officially come into effect on July 1, 2027.

C-NCAP 2027 Edition