| New construction techniques have given the
Volkswagen Touran and Golf body rigidity that means superb strength
and safety |
The Volkswagen name has always been synonymous with safety –
and three key developments demonstrate the brand’s commitment
to staying ahead in this area.
New Golf: safer than ever before
New Golf MK V |
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| “High levels of body rigidity
in the new Golf rought about by advanced construction techniques
bring major improvements in accident safety” |
With the launch of the new Golf in January 2004, Volkswagen has moved
the game on even further, with all models having as standard the following
passive safety features: twin front airbags; passenger airbag that
can be deactivated using the ignition key; driver and front passenger
side airbags; head airbag system for front and rear passengers; crash-active
front head restraints to protect against whiplash injury; three rear
head restraints and three rear three-point seatbelts; ISOFIX child
seat preparation for the two outer rear seats, plus a new child seat.
Active safety measures include ABS, Electronic Stabilisation Programme
(ESP), TCS traction control, and Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA). Working
in conjunction with the other elements of the braking system, HBA
recognises from the speed at which the brake pedal is depressed
whether it is a “normal” braking situation or an emergency
stop. In the event of an emergency stop, HBA automatically increases
braking pressure, activating ABS and ensuring the level of braking
meets the needs of the conditions. The application of brake assist
makes it possible even for unskilled drivers to reduce braking distances
by around 25%.
In addition, the high levels of body rigidity brought about by
advanced construction techniques bring major improvements in accident
safety thanks to the strength inherent in the car’s body.
Key to this is the employment of laser seam welding; there is a
total length of 70 metres of laser-welded seamwork in the new Golf,
compared with just five metres in the old model.
Touran: class-leading NCAP results
The Touran |
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| “The Touran features one of
the most torsionally rigid bodies in its class thanks to extensive
use of laser welding” |
It’s not just the Golf that has proved itself as class-leading
on safety this year. Volkswagen’s versatile compact MPV, the
Touran, scored a maximum five-star rating in the Euro NCAP results,
and a class-leading three stars in pedestrian safety. The results
make the Touran the overall top-ranking model in the compact MPV
class for crash and pedestrian safety; not only that, but both sets
of ratings are the maximum scored by any car in any market category.
Every Touran sold in the UK comes with a huge list of safety equipment,
including ABS with HBA (Hydraulic Brake Assist); ESP (Electronic
Stabilisation Programme); twin front and side airbags, active front
head restraints; plus a curtain airbag system and three-point seatbelts
for all passengers. The Touran, like the Golf, also features one
of the most torsionally rigid bodies in its class thanks to extensive
use of laser welding.
ESP: proven to save lives A key move
by Volkswagen in 2002 was the addition of ESP (Electronic Stabilisation
Programme) as standard on all Golf and Bora models; previously this
was standard on Passat and New Beetle models. Though this is not
a new development for 2003, a key reason for highlighting it is
research just released in Germany which proves that ESP saves lives.
ESP automatically senses any tendency for the car to slide. Should
this situation occur, ESP reacts by applying the brakes to one,
two, three or all four wheels and adjusts the engine’s power.
In this way, it is possible that a skid is corrected even before
the driver is aware that one has started. ESP can help prevent the
car skidding or spinning off the road and is particularly helpful
in wet or icy conditions.
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