The latest versions of five Opel vehicles - the Corsa, Vectra, Meriva, Tigra TwinTop and Astra - have all obtained excellent scores in safety tests conducted by the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP). Four of these models obtained four stars, while the 2004 Astra obtained a maximum five-star rating, making it the safest sedan in the family car class.

Euro NCAP provides motoring consumers with a realistic, independent assessment of the safety performance of some of the most popular cars sold in Europe. "In recent years, Opel have issued new versions of some of its most popular models, including the popular Corsa followed by the Meriva and the Tigra TwinTop, and the Astra in 2004," Edmund Gatt Baldacchino, managing director at local Opel agents United Automobile Limited, said in a statement.

"Safety has been one of the most important aspects on which Opel focused when developing these new models, and the consistently high scoring obtained by all the new models during the independent Euro NCAP tests prove that Opel cars are among the safest on the road."

In obtaining its five-star rating, the new Opel Astra gained recognition for its innovative safety concept, known as SAFETEC. The Euro NCAP tests, in fact, highlighted the benefits of the Astra's extensive protection package, which consists of both passive and active safety features.

Additional elements of the SAFETEC system are front and thorax/pelvis side airbags for driver and front seat passenger, front and rear head curtain airbags, active head restraints in the front and three-point seat belts on all seats. The Astra also contains specific features designed to protect child passengers.

Euro NCAP conducts three different crash tests. These consist of a frontal impact at 64 km/h with 40 per cent overlap against a deformable barrier, which simulates another vehicle; a side impact against a deformable barrier at 50 km/h and a side impact at 29 km/h against a pole.

Using crash test dummies, the potential forces acting on the driver and, in the case of the frontal impact, on the front seat passenger are evaluated.

"Everyone associated with Opel has clearly been delighted at the Euro NCAP tests results, which recognise the company's commitment to safety," Mr Gatt Baldacchino said. "United Automobile Limited knows that safety is one of Maltese car buyers' top priorities and these results prove the quality that Opel has to offer in this regard.

"This quality is also very affordable thanks to United's Easy Pay Plan, which allows for repayments to be made over six years.

With prices for the Corsa starting at Lm4,990 including air-conditioning, for the Astra petrol at Lm7,950 including ABS, air-conditioning and four airbags,  and the Tigra Twin Top at Lm9,990, Opel cars are within easy reach of car buyers' pockets. Moreover, the reputation for quality also has a positive effect on the resale value of Opel vehicles."