OREANDA-NEWS. Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the manufacturer of Subaru automobiles, is pleased to announce that three of its models equipped with Subaru's unique "EyeSight" Driver Assist Technology - the Levorg, the Forester and the Subaru XV Hybrid - were awarded the top rating of JNCAP*3 Advanced Safety Vehicle-Plus (ASV+) in the preventive safety performance assessment administered by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) and the National Agency for Automotive Safety & Victims' Aid (NASVA).

The preventive safety performance assessment took place for the first time this fiscal year, prompted by the fact that increasing demand for safe automobiles in recent years has led to rapid proliferation of automobiles equipped with "preventive safety technology" such as automatic brakes and other technology to prevent accidents. The assessment involves testing two systems, the Autonomous Emergency Braking System (AEBS) and the Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS).

The AEBS test entails having the test car approach the target (a simulated vehicle) from behind at 10 - 60 km/h to examine how well the preventive safety brakes function. There are two types of tests, one with the target at a standstill, and the other with the target traveling at 20 km/h. Points are awarded for avoiding collision or, if a collision does occur, according to the reduction in speed achieved before colliding. The LDWS test entails having the test car travel at 60 or 70 km/h and examining whether the system emits a warning when the car strays across the white lines on the road. The lower the speed at which the warning is emitted, the more points are awarded.

The maximum number of rating points is 40, with points awarded for efficacy in reducing accidents resulting in death or serious injury, based on the types of accidents occurring in Japan. Any vehicle earning two points or more is designated as an Advanced Safety Vehicle (ASV), and a vehicle earning 12 points or more is designated as an Advanced Safety Vehicle-Plus (ASV+).

The Levorg was awarded 40 points, the Forester 39.9 points, and the Subaru XV Hybrid 39.3 points, as a result of which all three won ASV+ designation.