The new Almera Tino, Nissan's new compact people carrier, has won class honours in the Auto Express Safety Test 2000, writes David Duffy.

Fifty of the top selling cars in the UK were tested for their braking performance in wet and dry conditions and on a variety of road surfaces. Stopping distances from 40mph were measured for each vehicle, again in a variety of conditions, giving an average stopping distance.

Oliver Marriage, deputy road test editor, Auto Express said: "With the help of electronic brake force distribution and the Nissan's own brake assist electronic system, the Almera Tino shot to the top of the class."

He said: "An overall average stopping distance of more than 17 metres is a credible performance which puts the Almera Tino in the top third of our 50-car league. The brakes, and in particular, the ABS system worked well and the firm suspension set-up reduced the incidence of nosedive, which can be a failing on big, softly sprung family vehicles."

The new Almera Tino was top of the class in the MPV sector with an average stopping distance of 17.16 metres, beating competition such as the Vauxhall Zafira and Citroen Picasso, both of which needed an extra metre before coming to a complete halt.

Andy Palmer, director of Vehicle Design and Test at Nissan Technology Centre Europe in Cranfield, said, "We are delighted with the Almera Tino's success in the Auto Express Safety Test. The Almera Tino has been designed to offer best in class safety for its occupants and boasts a host of standard safety features including all-round airbags and active head restraints for the driver and front seat passenger."