Audi

Audi Q7

“The Q7 driver can alter vehicle acceleration and control response via the multi-media information system, opting either for a dynamic or more comfort-orientated emphasis”

For the first time in its history, Audi will in spring next year stamp its mark on the large sport utility vehicle segment with the new Q7, a seven-seat all-terrain luxury vehicle.

The Q7 introduces electronic systems in standard production that provide the driver with important information with a view to enhancing active safety. A new generation of the radar-assisted distance control system, adaptive cruise control plus, is being introduced in the vehicle. As an extension of conventional adaptive cruise control, the system now controls distance and speed from 0 to 200 km/h. It is therefore able to brake the vehicle to a standstill behind the vehicle ahead. The sensor for the system is located out of sight behind the licence plate trim. By taking continuous differential measurements, it determines whether distance and speed in relation to the car in front have changed, and adjusts the vehicle’s own speed by manipulating the accelerator or brakes accordingly. Audi development engineers have deliberately designed the system, in respect of possible acceleration and deceleration, as a convenience system. In addition, the driver can alter vehicle acceleration and control response via the multi-media information (MMI) system, opting either for a dynamic or more comfort-orientated emphasis.

The collision warning system is being introduced for the first time on the Q7. It uses the sensors of the adaptive cruise control function and has a range of up to 180 metres. If there is the risk of a collision with the car in front, the system alerts the driver in two stages: first a warning tone is issued, with an optical signal appearing on the instrument panel at the same time. If the driver does not react, the system triggers a clearly noticeable warning jolt, produced by a fast build-up of pressure in the brake system. The purpose of the jolt is to draw the driver’s attention immediately to what is happening on the road in front of the vehicle. The collision warning system is the first example of a new generation of assistance systems that provide extra protection for the driver by monitoring the surrounding area.

Meanwhile, Audi side assist, which incorporates radar sensors, monitors the area next to and behind the vehicle to warn the driver – additionally to the image in the rear-view mirror – of any approaching vehicles. The driver is alerted by a warning light on the outside mirror, followed by an additional acoustic signal should he/she nevertheless switch on the direction indicator. The sensors have a range behind the vehicle of 50 metres and have also been designed to monitor the blind spot next to the vehicle. The system can be switched on and off at the touch of a button and operates from a speed of 60 km/h. Audi side assist does not intervene in the driving and control functions. Already featured on the A8 and A6, the Q7’s front headlights feature the combination of the dynamic cornering light system adaptive light, energy-saving daytime running lights and xenon plus technology – an offer unequalled by competitors.

The headlights of the new Q7 are available in three versions: standard free-form halogen lights, xenon plus lights with daytime running lights or additionally in conjunction with adaptive light dynamic cornering lights. The ellipsoidal module for dipped and main-beam headlights swivels according to the angle of each road and bend. This distinctly improves illumination of the road in the direction of travel and of the side area, making predictive driving even simpler.

Finally, three parking assistance systems are available as options on the Q7. The Audi parking system aids the driver when approaching obstacles, using four sensors at the rear and an acoustic warning signal. The parking system plus monitors both front and rear areas around the vehicle and alerts the driver to a potential collision during parking manoeuvres also by means of a bar chart in the MMI display.

In addition to these options, the Audi parking system features a rear-view camera; the images captured appear on the MMI screen. Parking lines projected on to the camera image provide extra support for the driver when manoeuvring into parking spaces. In the event of a frontal collision, front sensors behind the radiator grille, in conjunction with other sensors and control units, register a crash within the space of a few thousandths of a second. A few milliseconds later, the belt tensioners are triggered to minimise any possible belt slack. A belt-force limiter yields at a particular load threshold to allow occupants to sink into the inflated airbag. The full-size front airbag functions in two stages: during the first stage – when it ignites in low-speed accidents – there is less load on the occupant. At higher speeds, the deployment of the second stage fully utilises the protective potential of the front airbag.

The Audi Q7 is also equipped as standard with side airbags at the front as well as the sideguard head-protection airbag system, which virtually covers the entire side window area up to the third seat row. All Audi Q7 models are equipped with a latest-generation electronic stabilisation programme, which includes the antilock brake system. Importantly for other road users, if the driver brakes hard in extreme situations the ESP warns following traffic accordingly by switching on the hazard warning lights. In off-road operation, the hill descent assist feature automatically keeps the speed constant when driving slowly on steep downhill stretches, allowing the driver to concentrate on steering the vehicle. In addition, the roll stability programme (RSP) intervenes during critical driving manoeuvres that could cause the vehicle to overturn and takes the necessary corrective braking action.

The Q7 also has a trailer stabilisation system for use when towing. Often at cruising speed, and even when driving straight ahead, minor lateral movements build up, causing the trailer to sway dangerously as a result. The ESP trailer stabilisation function identifies this situation and effectively stabilises the outfit by means of automatic brake intervention.

BMW

BMW’s Night Vision

BMW‘s Night Vision offers the driver a significantly longer range of vision. The result is all-round better awareness of the road ahead and safer driving”

Two ground-breaking safety innovations have been launched as options on a number of BMW models. Night Vision uses a special thermal imaging camera to “illuminate” pedestrians, animals or any objects emitting heat up to 300 metres ahead of the car. Infrared technology generates a clear image of the road ahead on the car’s iDrive screen. Bi-xenon headlamps already illuminate the road 150 metres ahead, but Night Vision offers the driver a significantly longer range of vision. The result is all-round better awareness of the road ahead and safer driving.

Road safety levels can be further increased by the use of high-beam assistant – a system that automatically sets the bi-xenon headlights to the optimum range and brightness depending on other traffic movements. A sensor at the front of the car detects any on-coming exterior light source, allowing the car to automatically switch between high and low beam for the best level of illumination. For example, the car’s headlights will automatically dip when it detects street lamps on entering built-up areas or even an oncoming cyclist, then return to full beam when no light source is detectable. Both safety innovations have been introduced following widespread research showing the inherent dangers posed by poorly lit roads or busy highways. German road safety research has shown that approximately 50% of serious accidents are caused as a result of the driver not having enough information about the road ahead to take avoiding action. The same research has also shown that, while 75% of all driving is done during daylight hours, more than 50% of all fatal accidents happen during the hours of darkness.

Citröen

Citröen has revealed that the all-new C6, the manufacturer’s new flagship model, will feature a “pop-up” bonnet designed to reduce injury to pedestrians involved in a collision with the car. The C6 goes on sale in the UK early in 2006 and the French manufacturer will be rivalling Jaguar to claim the first-time use of the technology, although the Midlands-based company believes it will steal a slight lead (see page 97). Nevertheless, with prices for the C6 starting at below £30,000 the Citröen will be the lowest price model available with a “pop-up” bonnet.

Citröen‘s all-new C6

“In the event of a pedestrian impact, the C6’s bonnet automatically “pops up”, to create a cushioning effect between the engine and the bonnet itself ”

Honda is expected to be the third manufacturer to introduce the feature on its all-new Legend in summer 2006 (see below). In the event of a pedestrian impact, the C6’s bonnet automatically “pops up”, to create a cushioning effect between the engine and the bonnet itself – such technology has been advocated by the European New Car Assessment Programme as it looks for manufacturers to play their part in reducing pedestrian road traffic casualties. The C6 will also feature a raft of other safety-related technology including a head-up display that projects key driving information, such as speed and navigation details, directly on to the windscreen, reducing the need for drivers to look down and take their eyes off the road ahead; a lane departure warning system, already installed on C4 and C5 models (RoadSafe: summer 2005); and nine airbags (driver, passenger, four lateral, two curtain and a steering column). Helping to keep the bodywork free from bumps and scrapes, some C6 models will feature front and rear parking sensors that alert the driver, both audibly and visually, to the proximity of obstacles. Safety will be further enhanced by dual-function, directional xenon headlamps, which make for better night-time visibility around corners.

Honda

The new year sees a string of major model launches from Honda, kicking off with the January arrival of the new lower medium sector Civic, which will be followed by a significantly revised version of the upper medium sector Accord in the spring and finally an all-new executive Legend in July. Standard features include ABS with electronic brake force distribution to achieve maximum braking performance and stability, vehicle stability assist designed to assist the driver in maintaining control during cornering, acceleration and sudden manoeuvres by applying braking to the right or left hand wheels as necessary and managing the throttle and brake systems, and an innovative seatbelt reminder system for rear passengers. The system interprets the opening and closing of the rear doors and displays the rear seatbelt sign on the multi-info instrument panel. Special attention has also been paid to passengers in the front, and both front seats are fitted with double pre-tensioners. Active front seat headrests play a key role in protecting against whiplash injury in the event of an accident, and Honda is anticipating an excellent rating in the neck impact alleviation study conducted by the independent research institute, Thatcham.

The company expects that the new Civic will achieve a five star Euro NCAP rating for front and side impact safety, three stars for pedestrian safety and four stars for child protection safety, making it one of the safest cars in its class. Meanwhile, the new Accord and Legend will benefit from the first application in Europe of Honda’s advanced driving assist systems. The technology will be an option on the Accord 2.4 Executive automatic right-hand-drive model, while exact specification details of the new Legend range have yet to be announced. The suite of systems comprises adaptive cruise control, which regulates the speed of the car and its distance to the vehicle in front, and the European-first lane keeping assist system (LKAS), which detects lane markings on motorways and applies the appropriate amount of torque to the steering.

The LKAS supports the driver in maintaining the car within the same lane. It identifies the boundaries of the vehicle’s lane by processing images from a camera mounted behind the windscreen. It then calculates and provides the optimum steering torque to help keep the vehicle in the centre of the lane. The system works at speeds of 45mph to 112mph. The system automatically switches itself off after a warning if it fails to recognise driver’s input on the steering wheel, in order not to promote hands-free driving. It is aimed at reducing the approximate 300 UK deaths a year caused by drivers falling asleep at the wheel. Adaptive cruise control assesses driving conditions using data from a millimetre-wave radar mounted inside the front grille of the car that measures the distance to the vehicle ahead, along with data from speed and yaw rate sensors. It automatically regulates both the speed of the car and its distance to the vehicle in front, thereby reducing the burden of motorway or similar road driving and enhancing driver comfort and safety.

Honda Civic

“The new Accord and Legend will benefit from the first application in Europe of Honda’s advanced driving assist systems”

After a desired speed is set, the system will maintain that speed as long as it detects no vehicles in front of the car. If a vehicle is detected, the system automatically slows the car down and keeps it at a pre-determined distance. In instances where quicker deceleration is required, the system will alert the driver with a warning light and a buzzer to prompt the driver to apply the brakes. Once that vehicle changes lane or the distance increases again and the system can no longer detect it, the previously set speed is resumed. The new Legend will also feature Honda’s collision mitigation brake system and e-pretensioner, which work together to predict rear-end collisions and reduce impact on occupants and vehicle damage. The system uses visual and audio warnings to prompt the driver to take preventive action. It can also initiate braking to reduce vehicle speed. The e-pretensioner retracts the seatbelts in anticipation of a collision to hold the driver more securely in place. The technology has an in-built two-stage warning system. When there is a risk of collision with a vehicle ahead or if the distance between the vehicles has become too short the “primary warning” sees an alarm sound, and the message “BRAKE” appears on the display in the instrument panel, prompting the driver to take preventive action.

If the distance between the two vehicles continues to diminish, CMBS applies a secondary warning which sees light braking and the e-pretensioner retract the seatbelt gently two or three times (only on the driver’s side), providing the driver with a tactile warning. At this point, if the driver applies the brakes, the system interprets this action as emergency braking and activates the brake assist function to reduce impact speed. If the system determines that a collision is unavoidable, the e-pretensioner retracts the seatbelts (on both the driver’s and passenger’s sides) with enough force to compensate for seatbelt slack or baggy clothing, providing more effective driver retention than conventional seatbelt pretensioners, which only begin to operate once the collision has occurred. The CMBS also activates the brakes forcefully to further reduce speed of impact.

Also appearing on the Legend will be Honda’s version of the “pop-up” bonnet. This will see the bonnet lift in the event of a collision with a pedestrian to reduce the possibility of a serious impact to the pedestrian’s head region by providing added engine compartment clearance. The system employs three sensors located inside the front bumper and a vehicle speed sensor to determine if an impact with a pedestrian has occurred. It then signals an actuator to raise the rear portion of the engine hood approximately 10cm. This provides a space between the hood, the engine and other hard components to reduce pedestrian head injuries. Use of the pop-up bonnet can cause an approximate 40% reduction in pedestrian head injuries, according to Honda’s internal research.

Hyundai

Hyundai‘s Sonata

“By expanding the universe of automotive safety from the luxury end of the market to the very affordable end, the Sonata has broken new ground”

Safety features fitted as standard on the Hyundai Sonata have helped the company to win an international award in the first Automotive Excellence Awards, presented by the leading American automotive magazine Popular Mechanics. The qualities that impressed the judges across the Atlantic apply equally to the UK-specification Sonata. It comes equipped as standard with active and passive safety systems, designed both to help prevent an accident happening and provide strong protection should an impact occur.

The key features include: driver and passenger front airbags, front side airbags, front and rear curtain airbags, active front head restraints, electronic stability programme, ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution, three three-point rear seatbelts and rear ISOFIX child seat mounts. Jim Campbell, Hyundai Motor UK marketing director, says: “Safety is of paramount importance to car manufacturers and motorists. The award for excellence bestowed on the Sonata is wonderful recognition of how Hyundai delivers the highest safety provisions not as expensive options, but fitted as standard.”

Announcing the Sonata’s award, Don Chaikin, automotive editor of Popular Mechanics, said: “The Sonata truly merits the award for safety because it offers a full complement of both active and passive safety features as standard equipment in every model. By expanding the universe of automotive safety from the luxury end of the market to the very affordable end, the Sonata has broken new ground and crushed what amounted to very real market barriers.” In the UK, the Sonata is offered as a single model, powered by a 2.4 litre four-cylinder, petrol engine. On-the-road prices for the Sonata are £16,495 for the manual transmission version and £17,495 for the automatic.

Jaguar

Jaguar’s all-new XK sports car, which goes on sale in the UK in early 2006, will feature the world’s first pyrotechnic pedestrian deployable bonnet system (PDBS). In the event of a pedestrian impact, the deployable bonnet on the new XK automatically “pops” up a few inches, to create a cushioning effect between the engine and the bonnet. This helps to isolate the pedestrian from hard points in the engine compartment – and takes place in less than a tenth of the time it takes to blink an eye.

Jaguar‘s pop-up pedestrian safety bonnet

With leaders of the Euro NCAP regularly calling for vehicle manufacturers to improve pedestrian protection, Jaguar has become one of the first manufacturers to meet phase one of new European Commission-inspired safety legislation using an active deployable bonnet system. The new standards are designed to help mitigate the severity of injuries to pedestrians in the event of a collision with a car. Legislation in the European market requires manufacturers to commit to a two-phase introduction of a range of active and passive safety improvements on all new cars by 2010 to improve the protection of pedestrians in case of accident.

Ian Callum, Jaguar Cars’ design director, says: “The Jaguar design team embraced the idea of using a deployable bonnet when it was first considered during early concept discussions on the new XK. This clever feature saves between 50 and 65mm in height off the bonnet surface and a similar amount off the roofline, allowing the design team to maintain a very low, sleek Jaguar sports car profile on the new XK.” The active system fitted to the all-new XK is complemented by a passive bumper system, the design of which helps to mitigate leg injury through the use of crushable foam and plastic covering. An advanced sensing system is mounted in the front bumper to help discriminate between a pedestrian collision and any other possible front-end collisions. The speed of the system’s sensing time is around one tenth of the time it takes to blink an eye. Physical research carried out by the Jaguar development team has included investigation of various impacts, including inanimate objects such as motorway cones. This, says the manufacturer, is a vital part of the process to allow the system to differentiate a person from other impacts that can be experienced in day-to-day driving. The system is completely separate from any other crash protection system on the vehicle, including airbags.

Beyond the new pedestrian impact safety systems, the XK also offers a number of other safety features including: the option of a tyre pressure monitoring system and run-flat tyres; a dynamic headrest system to protect against whiplash injuries; forward alert which uses the optional adaptive cruise control’s forward-facing sensors to scan the road ahead 10 times every second to warn of a potential collision; ABS with electronic brake force distribution, hydraulic brake assist to increase brake pressure during an emergency stop, and electronic park brake; dynamic stability control with traction control system (Trac DSC) and an optional new active front lighting system enhancing the bi-xenon intelligent lighting that is standard on the car.

Lexus

The new Lexus IS

“The new Lexus IS includes a lane guidance safety feature for the major cities of the UK, Germany and Belgium”

The new Lexus IS, which went on sale in the UK last month and features 10 airbags including a first-in-segment double knee airbag (RoadSafe: summer 2005), is the first model to receive the next generation Lexus navigation system, featuring new guidance functions with improved graphics and speed. Employing a DVD disc to store detailed map information of Western Europe, the new Lexus navigation system’s speed of calculation has increased 65%, while the graphic draw performance is also three times faster. It includes a lane guidance safety feature for the major cities of the UK (London, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow), Germany (Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt and Cologne) and Belgium (Brussels), forewarning the driver of an impending lane change before issuing further instructions.

The Lexus parking assist monitor is also available on the new Lexus IS, which becomes the first car in the premium upper medium segment to offer a visual guidance parking system. It features a video camera mounted in the rear number plate surround that projects a full colour rear view of the surroundings. Even greater manoeuvring accuracy is promoted by screen-generated guidelines, which indicate the prospective path of the vehicle based on the current steering position. This represents a step forward in practicality compared to conventional sonar systems.

Mazda

Mazda is urging all company car drivers who choose its range-topping Mazda RX-8 to enrol on its unique free performance driver training course. Amid increasing legislation targeting rogue drivers coupled with ever-toughening court sentences and the police and Health and Safety Executive cracking down on companies whose at-work drivers are involved in road accidents, Mazda says the programme is a must for all Mazda RX-8 company car drivers. Mazda fleet and remarketing director Adam Pumfrey says: “The multi-award winning Mazda RX-8 is a performance car. But, as with all cars that have high power it is vital that drivers know how to handle it to get the best out of the vehicle. The Mazda RX-8 Driving Experience will teach company car drivers to get the most fun and enjoyment out of their car while driving safely and legally.”

Mazda RX-8

“The programme presents a unique opportunity to exploit the Mazda RX 8 to its full potential while driving safely”

The Mazda RX-8 Driving Experience was launched at the end of 2003 in conjunction with rally and vehicle preparation specialists Prodrive. The course has proved hugely popular with almost 8,000 private Mazda RX-8 drivers who have so far attended and around 150 bookings a week are being taken. However, says Mr Pumfrey: “We would urge all fleet operators to encourage employees who choose the Mazda RX-8 as their company car to book a place on the Mazda RX-8 Driving Experience. As many RX-8s are leased to businesses we would like contract hire and leasing companies to remind end-users about the course and how to book.

“Worth £500, but free to all UK Mazda RX-8 company car drivers, as well as private buyers, the programme presents a unique opportunity to exploit a car to its full potential while driving safely. The focus on managing occupational road risk is continually increasing and the tips learned may also save your life.” Based at its vehicle testing ground in Warwickshire, Prodrive will take Mazda RX-8 company car drivers through an intensive one-day performance driving course including track driving, taking the driver through where the car’s limits are and how to fully exploit the power and handling. There is also a road driving element about positioning the car on the road for safety, safe use of power available and safe overtaking techniques and a high-speed braking instruction.

The day also covers the care and maintenance of the Mazda RX-8’s 1.3-litre RENESIS rotary engine so the driver can ensure the car remains in tip-top mechanical condition. If a company car driver cannot travel to Prodrive’s facility then the Prodrive instructor will travel to the driver’s home and carry out more extensive road driving training. Although the programme is currently only for Mazda RX-8 drivers it is hoped to make the scheme available to other Mazda vehicle owners and company car drivers in the future. Sally Huband, owner of Banbury-based Pub Stuff Ltd who drives the 192ps Mazda RX 8, says: “The course was fantastic. To discover in a safe environment what a performance car is capable of and how it handles under severe braking filled me with confidence.

“I have never driven a performance car before, but to have the knowledge that the Mazda RX-8 sticks to the road like glue and to have the confidence to use the power available to overtake safely is very reassuring. Every driver should complete such a course.” Anthony Bulmer, a director of Newcastle-based shop fitters Bulmer Interiors, who drives the 231ps RX-8, agrees, saying: “It is very important to learn and understand the capabilities of the car you are driving. Having been on the course I am very much more confident behind the wheel.” Following a morning of track driving, course participants take to the open road and Mr Bulmer says: “To have a professional driver sitting alongside me pointing out the safest driving line in a real world situation and how hard I can legally drive the car not only enables me to use vehicle performance, but means I am safer on the road, as I now know the car’s capabilities if I am confronted with a potential nasty situation.”

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes S-class

“Mercedes-Benz has improved the level of protection for the occupants in a rear-end collision and reduced the risk of whiplash injuries”

Traditionally industry-leading technology makes its debut on the flagship models of vehicle manufacturers before being drip-fed down line-ups to smaller and cheaper cars. Therefore, the showroom arrival of one of the most expensive and technologically advanced vehicles gives motorists a clear idea of what the future holds. In spring next year the all-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class will go on sale and, needless to say, it is dripping with technical innovations, not least in the field of safety. Mercedes-Benz says it is redoubling its commitment to accident prevention with the introduction of brake assist plus. This system registers vehicles ahead by radar and gives a warning if the gap is too small or the closing speed is too high. If a collision threatens, brake assist plus calculates the ideal braking assistance in fractions of a second and makes this available immediately – even if the driver applies too little pressure to the brake pedal. This significantly reduces the incidence of rear-end collisions. The adaptive brake light, which warns following traffic by flashing during emergency braking, also makes a major contribution.

Mercedes-Benz combines brake assist plus with the equally unique occupant protection system pre-safe®, which offers even more safety functions on board the new S-Class. Pre-safe® recognises potential accident situations as they arise: if deceleration exceeds a certain level or a skid is imminent, the system tensions the front seatbelts as a precaution and inflates air cushions in the multicontour seats to envelop and support the driver, front passenger and rear-seat occupants. For the first time Mercedes-Benz has also integrated the side windows into this preventive protection system; they are automatically closed when an accident threatens. Mercedes-Benz is the world’s first and only vehicle brand with a comprehensive safety system of this kind, which already goes into action before an impending accident.

Brake assist plus is available in combination with the likewise improved proximity control system distronic plus. This radar-supported system now operates at all speeds between 0 and 125mph, and ensures greater driver comfort. In stop-and-go traffic distronic plus keeps the new S-Class at the right distance from the vehicle ahead, automatically brakes the saloon to a standstill if necessary and accelerates it back to the required speed when the traffic starts moving again. In this way the support system reduces the driver’s workload and provides benefits in driver-fitness safety. The equipment package with brake assist plus and distronic plus also includes a new parking assist system which also uses radar sensors. These have a longer range than ultrasonic signals, therefore the driver receives earlier warning of an impending collision when reversing into a parking space.

With the night view assist system, which is premiered in the new S-Class, Mercedes-Benz says it has made a further, major contribution to reducing the risk of accidents during the hours of darkness. This system is based on infra-red light, which is invisible to the human eye and will therefore not dazzle oncoming traffic. Two infra-red headlamps illuminate the road, extending the driver’s range of vision to more than 150 metres when on low beam. Night view assist therefore makes pedestrians, cyclists, parked cars and other obstacles visible much sooner than with headlights alone. An infra-red camera mounted on the inside of the windscreen records the reflected image of the road ahead and displays this in the instrument cluster. The newly-developed braking system, adaptive brake, has additional functions which, for example, assist the driver when moving off on gradients and shorten braking distances in the wet. The parking brake is electrically assisted for the first time – the brake is applied merely by pressing a button, and is released automatically when the car moves off. The S-Class, like a number of other Mercedes-Benz models, including the C-Class, E-Class, CLS-Class and CLK-Class as well as the forthcoming R-Class (see below), benefit from neck-pro, the German manufacturer’s crash-responsive head restraints.

The neck-pro head restraints are linked to an electronic control unit: if the sensor system detects a rear-end collision of a predefined degree of severity, it releases pre-tensioned springs inside the head restraints, causing it to move forward 40 millimetres and upwards by 30 millimetres. This happens in a split-second and has the effect of providing support for the heads of front seat occupants during the early stages of an accident. In this way, Mercedes-Benz has improved the level of protection for the occupants in a rear-end collision and as a result, reduced the risk of whiplash injuries. Following the deployment of neck-pro, the head restraints can be released and re-set using a special tool provided with the car. The internal mechanism can then be pushed back manually to re-set the neck-pro head restraints. This “reusable” dimension means there will not be a repair or replacement cost in the unfortunate event of an accident.

The new Mercedes-Benz R-Class will go on sale in spring 2006 and combines, says the company, the strengths of a sporty saloon, estate, MPV and sports utility vehicle and fuses them into Grand Sports Tourer. Safety features will include adaptive front airbags, front sidebags and windowbags fitted as standard, pre-safe® as an option as well as neck-pro.

Nissan

Nissan‘s dashboard mounted monitor

“The rear-view system is now available on nearly every model in the Nissan range and eliminates the worst blind spot during reversing”

Nissan is currently developing a system that will eliminate blind spots from around the vehicle with a bird’s-eye view of the surrounding area displayed on a central monitor. Rear-view cameras are becoming more of a standard feature on today’s vehicles and the Nissan Primera was one of the first to have the technology fitted as standard. The rear-view system is now available on nearly every model in the Nissan range and eliminates the worst blind spot during reversing. But there’s a second blind spot along both sides of a car. To eliminate this, side-mounted cameras need to be fitted as they have been to the Presage model on sale in Japan since June 2003.

Now Nissan is testing front-mounted cameras giving the driver an image on a dashboard mounted monitor as if they were looking down onto the car. The “around view monitor” is designed to substantially reduce blind spots by displaying a 360-degree view of the area around the vehicle on a dashboard monitor. Cameras mounted at the front and rear and on both sides take pictures of the surrounding road surface, which are synthesised by an image-processing technique into one view that is shown on a central display. Nissan says the system is especially helpful when parking, enabling drivers to steer easily and precisely into a parking space.

Although there is no confirmed release date for the technology or what vehicle it will be fitted to, the best estimate is that it will feature on vehicles from the luxury arm of Nissan, known as Infiniti, which is due to arrive in Europe within the next two years. The technology was exhibited at this autumn’s Tokyo Motor Show alongside the manufacturer’s lane departure prevention system that recognises visible lane markings through the use of a small camera mounted behind the rear-view mirror.

The camera’s signal and the vehicle’s speed are sent to the system’s advanced microprocessing unit, which combines the information to calculate both the distance between the vehicle and the lane marking and the lateral velocity to the lane marking. If it is determined that the vehicle is leaving the lane, a combination of visual and verbal warnings are given. At the same time, the car’s braking systems are activated, to help return the vehicle to its original lane. The company also showed off its four-wheel active steer system, designed to improve vehicle stability and response at high speed and to reduce the driver’s steering workload at low speed, by controlling the steering angle of all four wheels. It contributes to precise vehicle movement in response to the driver’s steering inputs and also serves to reduce the steering workload by varying the steering gear ratio according to the vehicle speed.

• The Nissan Advanced Crash Laboratory has opened in Japan where the state-of-the-art laboratory will test safety performance in vehicle-to-vehicle crashes and occupant protection performance in rollover accidents.

Renault

The third generation Renault Clio went on sale in the autumn and is one of only three superminis to achieve the maximum five-star Euro NCAP crash test occupant protection rating after the Renault Modus set the class standard early this year with the first five-star rating.

Renault‘s new Clio

“The field trials that are currently being undertaken with the alcokey are concerned with studying factors such as accuracy of readings, long-term properties and robustness”

New Clio comes with Renault’s third-generation system for restraint and protection, which guarantees optimum protection for occupants wherever they are sitting. Depending on the version, the system comprises six to eight airbags: two twin-stage adaptive airbags in the front, four side airbags (two lateral airbags in the front seats and two curtain airbags to protect the heads of front and rear passengers) and two anti-submarining airbags on the three-door version. When a front impact occurs, the system comes into operation, taking account of the size of the driver, which is measured by a sliding sensor. The front seats are also fitted with an anti-submarining system and load limiters that protect the occupants’ chests. In the rear of the car, the danger of submarining is restricted by seatbelts with pretensioners, plus short, vertically installed belt buckles and a special seat design. The rear side seats have pretensioners and load limiters – features which Renault is the only manufacturer to offer. In addition, ABS with EBD (electronic brake distribution), brake assist, optional ESP (electronic stability programme), two height adjustable three-point front seatbelts with integrated pretensioners and load limiters, three-point rear seatbelts with integrated pretensioners and load limiters on the outer rear seats are all standard on new Clio. A new feature is height-adjustable front headrests, where the actual head rest itself moves up and down to suit, instead of the metal rods which are no longer rigid within the seat back.

This, says Renault, is a significant step forward in protecting occupants’ necks against the effects of whiplash as it allows the occupant to move further back into the seat in a collision reducing the distance to the headrest, and is another standard feature on the Clio. New Clio also comes with a luggage retention bar which is screwed into the floor at the base of the rear bench seat back, holding back luggage in the event of impact without taking up boot space. In addition, to these safety features, new Clio also has an audible seatbelt reminder and a warning light on the instrument panel to remind drivers to fasten their seatbelts. Along with Modus, new Clio is the first car in its segment to offer additional cornering headlamps, while double distance xenon headlamps are also available for enhanced night visibility.

Saab

Saab has commenced extensive trials of its Alcokey, which prevents the ignition of a vehicle being started if the driver is over the drink-drive limit. A successful outcome to the Swedish trials, involving both private customers and trucking firms, with a view to launching the finished device on the Swedish market as an optional extra within two years, could herald the arrival of the technology in the UK. In the Road Safety Bill currently making its way through Parliament and due to reach the statute book next year, the government has outlined plans for the future use of Alcohol Ignition Interlock Programmes (AIIPs). The Department for Transport says it notes that previous research and experience from around the world “have shown that these are effective in discouraging re-offending [of drink driving]”.

Saab‘s Alcokey

Users of the Alcokey must breathe into a small mouthpiece in the car’s key fob, which is fitted with a breathalyser. A transponder communicates with the car’s electronic control unit, immobilising the engine if a driver’s breath sample is found to contain alcohol above the permitted level. Saab Automobile managing director Jan Ake Jonsson says: “An important factor is the acceptance of the Alcokey among private customers. The great majority of them would never dream of driving while under the influence, and yet we know that alcohol is involved in nearly a third of all fatalities among drivers – on our Swedish roads just as elsewhere. If we can deal with that problem we’ll be making a decisive contribution towards road safety.”

Saab first exhibited its concept for an Alcokey in autumn 2004. Because the Alcokey obviates extra electronics and elaborate installations, Saab believes that once it is in serial production it will be possible to keep the price to the customer below £225. Saab also hopes that the Alcokey can be fitted post-delivery to most Saab models. The field trials that are currently being undertaken are concerned with studying factors such as accuracy of readings, long-term properties and robustness. Another important aspect is how the trial participants perceive the Alcokey in daily use. It’s been known for some time that customers are less inclined to pay for features that they don’t consider they need – “I never drive when I’ve been drinking” – which makes ease of use all the more important.

Anna Petre, responsible for community contacts at Saab Automobile, said: “In order to stimulate the introduction of the Alcokey on a broad front, consideration should be given to government involvement in the form of reduced fiscal benefit values, or arrangements with the insurance “Saab’s Alcokey is primarily intended as a support for those who want to stay on the right side of the law. During its development, one priority has been to achieve user-friendliness, and this is a breathalyser that will still pick up the great majority of drunk-driving cases.”

Toyota

Toyota has introduced a new “family” to motoring as the manufacturer further develops its Maximise and Zeronise vision for product and technology development that includes an ambition to eliminate all traffic accidents.

Toyota‘s THUMS dummies

”Unlike the traditional crash test dummy, the THUMS have more human attributes”

This work, says Toyota, can be seen in safety developments that have already been brought to market and include:

• Pre-crash safety (PCS), which uses a front-mounted radar to detect when a collision is inevitable and automatically tightens the front seatbelts and prepares to deliver maximum braking power. In the UK PCS is available on Lexus [Toyota’s luxury arm] LS 430, GS 430 and GS 300 SE-L models
• Vehicle dynamics integrated management (VDIM), which co-ordinates the deployment of active safety and handling systems for smoother operation before a vehicle reaches its performance limits. VDIM is available on the Lexus GS 430 and Lexus RX 400h
• Adaptive front-lighting system (AFS), which allows the headlights to swivel in line with vehicle speed and steering angle to improve illumination through bends. AFS is available on Lexus GS, LS and RX models

Now Toyota has developed a new generation of virtual crash test dummies which are being used to help improve passive safety in vehicle body design by helping identify elements that can cause injuries in an accident and enabling the effects of any adjustments to be evaluated. THUMS – Total Human Model for Safety – is a virtual representation of the human body that can provide vehicle engineers with precise data about the injuries real people might suffer in different kinds of vehicle accidents.

Unlike the traditional crash test dummy, the THUMS have more human attributes: the complex computer modelling takes into account elements such as bone strength and skin flexibility, right down to ligaments and tendons. It simulates the real human body so precisely, it is possible to predict more accurately than ever before the physical damage different kinds of impact will cause, both to vehicle occupants and pedestrians. The degree of accuracy has been demonstrated by the close match achieved between an X-ray taken from a real-life accident victim and the results achieved in a THUMS simulation, both in terms of the body parts affected and the level of injury. Toyota has designed 30-40-year-old male and female occupant dummies, a male pedestrian dummy from the same age group and a child dummy.

Vauxhall

Vauxhall‘s drive assist

“Put simply, this car can see, think and react appropriately to different situations”

Vauxhall is piloting laser technology designed to allow a car to “drive itself” and it could debut in the next Vectra, due in 2008. A new driver assist system, developed by engineers at parent company General Motors in Germany, is currently being trialled for production, and it aims to take all of the stress out of driving in heavy congestion. Mated to an automatic gearbox, driver assist uses distance and speed control, similar to the adaptive cruise control system used in some executive cars, in order to maintain a constant safety zone from the vehicle ahead in all driving conditions.

In heavy traffic, it allows the car to come to a complete stop, meaning the car can creep through traffic at its own accord, with no driver input. Various sensors monitor the car’s environment, which is then analysed by software and the information is transmitted to the car’s integral systems. A laser-guided lane-holding assistant reads lane markings and sends messages to a specially adapted power steering set up, making the car steer automatically and remain in the centre of the lane at all times, with no steering input.

The system, currently fitted to a Vectra V6, is activated by means of a button on the car’s column stalk, and a graphic in the middle of the speedometer lights up to show it has been activated, along with an audible warning. At all times, the system can be manually overridden by the driver, either by pressing the button again, touching any of the pedals or taking control of the steering. If stationary for more than two seconds, the driver must press a button to reactivate the system to ensure they have full responsibility and control. Bruno Prausmaendel, GM Europe’s manager of electronics advanced engineering, says: “Put simply, this car can see, think and react appropriately to different situations. With this system, we go far beyond all applications currently available in production models, such as strictly distance or lane holding systems.” Having ensured that the system is fully suitable for everyday driving, GM is now developing it further to make it ready for production. It is likely to make its debut on a Vectra-sized model, and will appear on other GM cars as well as Vauxhalls.

Volvo

Volvo’s all-new C70 coupe/convertible, which goes on sale early next year, will feature the world’s first door-mounted inflatable curtain, plus Roll Over Protection System (ROPS) and extra high strength steel A-pillars. The Swedish manufacturer with a renowned safety record has developed the all-new C70 to be one of the safest convertibles available. The lack of a fixed roof has been compensated for with reinforcements and sophisticated technology, including a door-mounted inflatable curtain that inflates upwards – instead of being released from the roof as in the rest of the Volvo range. The curtain has an extra stiff construction with double rows of slats to help remain upright to provide effective head protection, even if the window is down, and deflates slowly in case the car has rolled over during the accident.

Volvo's C70

“The lack of a fixed roof on the C70 has been compensated for with reinforcements and sophisticated technology”

In case the car does roll over, the new C70 has strong A-pillars hydro-formed in extra strength steel designed to withstand very high forces and also run all the way down to the body sills. To compensate for the lack of permanent B and C-pillars, Volvo has further developed its ROPS from the system introduced in the previous generation C70 convertible. The powerful metal bars that pop up behind the rear seats have been strengthened and react quicker.

Volvo’s Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) has also been developed further to compensate for the lack of the usual B-pillar and roof structure that would usually help to absorb any side impact. Instead, engineers at the Volvo Cars Safety Centre have designed five powerful transverse floor members along the car, which interact with a system of other reinforcements to channel the impact forces forwards, backwards and downwards to keep the passenger compartment as intact as possible.

The doors are reinforced with a diagonally-mounted steel profile to help prevent intrusions into the passenger compartment, while transverse members at the front together with a horseshoe-shaped member behind the rear seats channel forces to opposite sides of the car. Finally, a patented front structure is divided into zones using different strength steel to provide controlled deformation. Volvo says the rounded front shape of the car helps reduce the risk of injury to other road users and pedestrians, while the front area around the grille has a soft, energy-absorbing structure to counteract the risk of leg injuries, and the bonnet and front wings are designed to absorb energy and contribute to reducing other injuries. The new developments are in addition to Volvo’s established safety features which appear in the new C70 and the majority of its vehicles and include: whiplash protection system (WHIPS) in the front seats that helps reduce whiplash injuries by moving the seat with the occupant to absorb the forces during the impact; dynamic stability and traction control (DSTC); ABS brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution; and automatic emergency brake assistance (EBA) to maximise stopping power.

The C70 also features intelligent driver information system (IDIS) which constantly monitors certain functions within the car, such as steering wheel movement, acceleration, indicators and braking, and at a certain level of activity the system holds back any information that is not crucial to safety (for example, incoming telephone calls if fitted with an integrated phone) so the driver is not unnecessarily distracted, and held until a safer moment.