MANUFACTURERS’ ROUND-UP

X5 customers have the option to specify a rear camera for added parking convenience

BMW

The all-new BMW X5 will go on sale in the UK in spring next year and the model will bring a number of safetyrelated firsts to the luxury 4x4 sector. The X5 will be the world’s first sports activity vehicle to be offered with head-up display and an active suspension system – BMW’s adaptive drive package. It is also the first SAV that can be specified with active steering for top-class manoeuvrability and the first to be shod with run-flat tyres.

Promising, says BMW, “unsurpassed safety credentials” its intelligent xDrive four-wheel-drive system transfers power between front and rear wheels depending on available grip for optimum handling, and the new model can be specified with adaptive drive and active steering – two advanced systems never offered before on a BMW X model.

Adaptive drive uses active hydraulic anti-roll bars to counteract the cornering forces of the car to keep the body from leaning too heavily and unsettling the occupants. In addition to this, adaptive drive incorporates an electronic damper control system that uses sensors to continuously adjust the damper setting for optimum comfort. Active steering adds more lock than inputted by the driver at slow speeds to make parking easier, while when driving at speed the opposite occurs for a smoother, more composed ride.

“The X5 will be the world's first sports activity vehicle to be offered with head-up display and an active suspension system”

Supplementing the standard fit front and rear park distance control, X5 customers have the option to specify a rear camera for added parking convenience. Automatically activated when the reverse gear is selected, the driver sees a wide-angle colour image on the iDrive display in the centre console. For enhanced safety, the head-up display system projects speed, navigation and check control messages into the line of sight of the driver. This allows the driver to keep their eyes on the road ahead while still being made aware of important instructions.

BMW views run-flat tyres as a safety benefit saying they allow a driver to continue their journey in the event of a puncture for up to 90 miles at speeds of 50mph. Run-flat tyres also provide the best stability in the event of a blowout, says the manufacturer.

The latest in traction control technology, dynamic stability control+, is also standard on the new X5. DSC+ – which debuted on the revised X3 that entered showrooms in September – comes with four unique functions for added safety and comfort:

• Brake pretensioning, which shortens stopping distances during an emergency stop by priming the brakes should it detect the driver lifting off the accelerator sharply in reaction to an incident ahead.
  
  
• Brake drying, which improves braking performance in the wet by periodically applying the brake pads to scrub away the film of water that can build up on the brake discs.
  
  
• Hill-start assistant allows a car to pull away smoothly on a steep gradient without rolling backwards, courtesy of the brakes being held for the short time it takes the driver to apply the accelerator after releasing the foot or handbrake.
  
  
• Brake-fade compensation applies additional braking without any extra effort from the driver should sensors detect that the brake pads are starting to lose “bite” due to heat build up.

 

Citroën

The C4's unique parking space measurement system

Citroën’s all-new seven-seat C4 Picasso MPV, which will go on sale in the UK early next year, promises to be a safety-focused tour de force. With its wide-angle panoramic windscreen giving class-leading visibility, to the marketplace debut of a unique parking space measurement system, the C4 Picasso has safety features galore.

To operate the parking space measurement system, the driver presses the “P” button on the steering wheel, flicks the relevant indicator and drives slowly along the row of parked vehicles. Two ultrasonic sensors at either end of the front bumper inform the driver whether parking is possible, difficult or inadvisable. Additionally, sensors located in the front and rear bumpers detect any obstacles close to the vehicle. Audible bleeps from the loudspeakers and a representation of the parking manoeuvre on the central dashboard screen provide drivers with precise information on the presence and proximity of obstacles in the detection zone.

An electric parking brake is fitted to all models as standard. Unusually, the brake is automatically applied as soon as the engine is turned off, and is automatically released when sufficient torque is applied to move forward. An electric control in the middle of the dash can be used to apply the parking brake in a conventional manner whenever necessary. Additionally, all models offer a hill-start assist function. At gradients of 3% or above, this function automatically holds the vehicle in position for up to two seconds so that the driver has time to move their foot to the accelerator.

The C4 Picasso also has other safety features that already appear on other Citroën models, including lane departure warning system, Xenon dual-function directional headlamps, cruise control and speed limiter, a tyre pressure monitor, Bluetooth hands-free phone system and Citroen’s NaviDrive satellite navigation system. ABS and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution are standard, as is ESP (Electronic Stability Programme). Other braking-related safety features fitted as standard on the C4 Picasso include emergency braking assistance (EBA) and automatic illumination of hazard warning lights.

“Two ultrasonic sensors at either end of the C4 Picasso's front bumper inform the driver whether parking is possible, difficult or inadvisable”

The C4 is also equipped with a total of seven airbags – driver knee airbag, two front airbags, including a driver airbag designed to always deploy at the right angle, and two side airbags and two curtain airbags. The model also features four ISOFIX seats, seatbelt warning indicators at front and rear and a child-watch mirror located above the main rearview mirror lets the driver or front-seat passenger keep an eye on children in the back without having to turn round or alter the position of the main rearview mirror.

Another new feature is the rechargeable lamp in the boot. It is used both as a boot-light and a hand-held torch. The torch has around 40 minutes of power. It recharges as soon as it is replaced in its support and the car starts moving.

 

Honda

The new luxury four-door Honda Legend

The luxury four-door Honda Legend went on sale in September and features a raft of debut-making safety features.

• Honda is the latest manufacturer to introduce a pedestrian-friendly pop-up bonnet system – following on from Citroën and Jaguar – which, in the event of a collision lifts to increase safety for those outside the car
  
  
• Super handling all-wheel-drive is Honda’s new active torque distribution system that gives the Legend the cornering prowess of a sports car, while maintaining luxury levels of ride comfort. As well as varying torque distribution between front and rear wheels for optimum grip, SH-AWD also shares the torque between the left and right rear wheels to accelerate the outer wheel and thus eliminates under and oversteer.
  
  
• Honda’s new collision mitigation braking system (CMBS) technology predicts collisions, to reduce both the impact on occupants, and damage to the car. A radar sensor in the front grille of the car can recognise a collision is imminent and the CMBS system reacts to warn the driver. If no action is taken and a collision is unavoidable, CMBS gives a further warning, and applies strong braking with retraction of the seatbelts.

Finally, Honda’s advanced driving assist system (ADAS), which debuted on the Accord in early 2006, is also available on the new Legend. ADAS comprises a lanekeeping assist system (LKAS) and adaptive cruise control (ACC) technology. These state-of-the-art driving aids both improve safety levels and reduce driver fatigue. Also available are active front headlights that give increased illumination and visibility at night. When cornering, the headlights swivel to illuminate a larger area of road surface, minimising blind spots.

Many of those same safety features will also appear on the all-new CR-V sports utility vehicle, which will enter UK showrooms in January. The model will be available with ACC and CMBS, both unique to the SUV segment. Elsewhere, a full complement of passive safety measures includes dual-stage SRS front airbags, side airbags for front-seat passengers, full-length curtain airbags, front and rear seatbelt reminders and active front headrests – all fitted as standard.

The new CR-V also incorporates trailer stability assist (TSA) as standard, which together with vehicle stability assist (VSA) ensures that towing safety is continuously monitored and corrected. Active front lighting – headlights that turn to illuminate the road in the direction the vehicle is heading – also make their way on to the CR-V for the first time. Honda anticipates a class-leading Euro NCAP fivestar rating for occupant protection, four stars for child protection and a three-star pedestrian rating.

 

Land Rover

Land Rover's Freelander 2

On and off-road safety is very much to the fore in the all-new Land Rover Freelander 2, which entered UK showrooms in November following its world debut at this year’s British International Motor Show. The UK-built model is equipped with full-time intelligent 4x4 transmission, which sees the power delivered to the front and rear wheels continuously varied to suit dynamic conditions and give optimal traction and primary safety at all times. Only a small amount of torque is fed to the rear wheels under normal conditions, such as on a straight tarmac road, but in tough off-road situations, almost all the engine torque can be fed to the rear wheels, if required.

Land Rover’s unique Terrain Response system aids off-road driving and safety and is standard on all but entry models. One of the core Land Rover technologies, it adapts the responses of Freelander 2’s engine, gearbox, centre coupling and chassis systems to match the demands of the terrain.

On the Freelander 2, there are four Terrain Response settings, which the driver can choose via a rotary control:

• General Driving – provides a broad span of ability suitable for most on-road driving and easier off-road conditions
  
  
• Grass/gravel/snow – for slippery conditions, on-road or off-road
  
  
• Mud and ruts
  
  
• Sand

A spokesman says: “Each of the settings optimises Freelander 2’s suite of electronic and mechanical controls to suit the chosen terrain. It’s like having an off-road expert to assist.” Terrain Response also controls a range of stability and traction aids including dynamic stability control, which delivers the appropriate amount of power to a wheel when traction is being lost; electronic traction control and anti-lock brakes, which are adjusted and tuned by Terrain Response to offer optimum grip, braking power and safety on the chosen terrain; and hill descent control, which automatically restricts speed downhill, using the anti-lock brakes, and improves driver control on slippery descents.

“Land Rover’s unique Terrain Response system aids off-road driving and safety”

In addition to the latest-generation four-channel anti-lock brakes, the electronic modulator at the heart of the stability control systems on Freelander 2 also controls Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, which balances the distribution of braking force between front and rear; emergency brake assist, which boosts pedal pressure when full braking is required; and corner brake control, which enhances rear-end stability when braking in corners.

The new model’s roll stability control is the most sophisticated roll-over prevention technology ever fitted to a Land Rover. Gyroscopic sensing allows this system – linked to the electronic modulator – to compare the rate of change of body roll angle with the steered course. If necessary, incremental brake force is applied at the outer wheels, widening the turn radius to help prevent the roll. Another innovation that makes its debut on Freelander 2 is Land Rover’s patented gradient release control system. Linked to the hill descent control, this system ensures that, when releasing the brakes on extremely steep hills, brake-line pressure is released progressively, helping to maintain full driver control. The choice of headlamp technologies includes optional adaptive front lighting that swivels with the direction of travel.

Front seatbelts have pretensioners, and all Freelander 2 models feature seven airbags including full-length curtain airbags in the roof side structure designed to help protect against head injury and roll-over ejection for front and rear occupants. An inflatable knee bolster also helps protect the driver against leg injury from the steering column.

 

Lexus

The driver monitoring system on the Lexus LS 460

Is the sensor and camera-loaded Lexus LS 460, the luxury Japanese manufacturer’s all-new flagship model, the first car to be crash immune? Such a statement may seem ludicrous, but the list of global first safety-related features on the car are aimed at initially sensing that the vehicle is about to be involved in a crash and then taking evasive action milliseconds before impact.

A few years ago, vehicle manufacturers were focusing on introducing technology that largely protected vehicle occupants from serious injury in the event of a crash. Needless to say, such technology is on the Lexus. But developments have moved on at such a pace that by adopting the principle of accident avoidance through anticipation, some models fitted with the very latest technology may never crash – even if the driver nods off at the wheel.

The LS 460 will go on sale in the UK early next year and alongside a raft of “safety firsts”, it features a rear precrash safety system and a driver monitoring system. Both technologies debut on the LS 460, but are likely to be introduced on other models in the range in the future. By means of millimetre-wave radar and stereo cameras, the car’s advanced obstacle detection system can detect a wide range of obstacles in the path of the vehicle, including, for the first time, pedestrians and animals at a range of up to 25 metres. When there is a high probability of a collision, an alarm will prompt the driver to take evasive action. However, if the system deduces that the collision is unavoidable, the pre-crash seatbelts’ pretensioning mechanism will be activated and the brakes automatically applied to reduce the consequences of the impact.

The world’s first rear pre-crash safety system uses a millimetre-wave radar installed in the rear bumper. This constantly scans the area around the back of the vehicle and, if it determines a high probability of collision, it automatically activates the pre-crash front head restraints, which move forwards and upwards to cushion the occupants’ heads in anticipation of an impact, greatly reducing the risk of whiplash injury.

“The Lexus LS 460's advanced obstacle detection system can detect a wide range of obstacles in the path of the vehicle”

Meanwhile, the driver monitoring system sees a miniature camera on the steering column constantly tracking the movement of the driver’s face. If an obstacle is detected in front of the vehicle when the driver is not looking ahead, the pre-crash alarm function will be triggered, and gentle braking applied to alert the driver. Finally, emergency steering assist improves the vehicle’s response to driver steering input, selecting the best gear ratio for rapid evasion manoeuvres and increasing the chances of avoiding a collision.

Identical safety features appear on the manufacturer’s new hybrid flagship, the LS 600h, which will be available in the UK as a long wheelbase model with an additional 120mm dedicated entirely to extra rear cabin space.

 

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz CL-Class luxury two-door coupé

The new safety-packed Mercedes-Benz CL-Class luxury two-door coupé will go on sale in the UK in spring next year. The list of cutting-edge technology is almost limitless and includes active body control (ABC) suspension system, the intelligent light system with five lighting functions and pre-safe anticipatory occupant protection all as standard.

Furthermore, the coupé raises the bar in terms of vehicle safety with pre-safe brakes – the unique system automatically brakes the car before an imminent rear-end collision. The ABC suspension system delivers unprecedented handling dynamics while offering an equally appreciable improvement in ride comfort. Based on sensor signals and using specially designed hydraulic cylinders at the axles, ABC all but entirely eliminates the customary pitch and roll of the body that occur when moving off, cornering and braking.

ABC responds with split-second speed to ensure the body damping is adjusted instantly to any situation. At speeds above 60mph, ABC lowers the body by up to 10 millimetres to reduce drag and improve handling stability. The intelligent light system makes driving safer in the dark. Together with bi-xenon headlamps it forms part of the standard specification for the new CL-Class and provides five different lighting functions that are activated to match driving and weather conditions.

Country mode illuminates the left-hand edge of the road more widely and brightly than existing lowbeam headlamps; motorway mode, which comes on automatically when driving above 56mph, delivers a uniform cone of light that illuminates the entire road width. In the centre of this cone the driver is able to see around 50 metres further; and the enhanced fog lamps provide better orientation in adverse weather conditions. Active light function and cornering light function are also part of the standard-fit intelligent light system on the CL-Class.

Mercedes-Benz was the world’s first car brand to develop an anticipatory occupant protection system that recognises a potential accident situation in its early stages and takes anticipatory occupant protection measures. Pre-safe is standard equipment on the new CL-Class and has been updated with the newly-developed pre-safe brakes. During emergency braking or when skidding is imminent, the pre-safe system moves the passenger seat into the most favourable position so that seatbelts and airbags have maximum effect on impact. It also inflates air cushions, which envelop and support the driver and front passenger.

“Mercedes-Benz's ABC suspension system delivers unprecedented handling dynamics”

Pre-safe also closes the side windows and the sunroof in critical situations where high lateral dynamics are generated. Pre-safe brakes operate in tandem with brake assist plus, which warns the driver of an imminent rear-end collision with visual and audible signals and automatically calculates the required braking pressure to prevent an accident. This braking-power support is available as soon as the brake pedal is operated.

If the driver does not react to the warnings, the pre-safe brakes trigger automatic partial braking where an accident is imminent and slow the CL-Class down using around 40% of the total braking power. The automatic partial braking provides the driver with another clear warning to act. If the driver then immediately applies the brakes, the maximum braking force is available and the accident can – depending on the situation – be averted at the last moment. If an accident is unavoidable, the pre-safe brakes reduce the impact severity and, in turn, the risk of injury to the vehicle occupants.

The system uses state-of-the-art radar technology to scan the situation in front of the car and detect a potential accident. Two short-range radar sensors with a range of 30 metres and a scanning angle of 80° are located behind the front bumper fascia on the CL-Class. The additional long-range radar in the radiator grille has a range of 150 metres.

Finally, the newly-developed optional parking guidance system also works on the basis of radar technology. The sensors measure the length of a parking space when driving past and show on the cockpit display whether there is sufficient space to park. The display then includes a symbolic representation of the parking manoeuvre; guide lines show the required steering angle and indicate the path into the parking space. In this way the system helps the driver park inch perfect.

Night view assist with infrared headlamps, reversing camera, voice control for car radio, DVD changer and navigation as well as tyre pressure monitoring system are other optional Mercedes assistance systems for increased handling.

 

MINI

The MINI has the option of hill assisst

The MINI has been a phenomenal success since the archetypal supermini was relaunched by parent company BMW in 2001. Now the all-new MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S are entering UK car showrooms and they will be followed in the first half of 2007 by the entry-level MINI One and MINI Diesel.

Both MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S models feature a wide range of safety features. Six airbags are standard – front, side and curtain head airbags for the driver and front passenger – with the extra-large curtain airbags providing optimum protection from head injuries for rear-seat passengers. Active safety is ensured in critical situations by ABS anti-lock brakes, EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) and CBC (cornering brake control) as standard on both models. ASC+T (automatic stability control + traction) is standard on the MINI Cooper S with on-off control by the driver, and as an option DSC (dynamic stability control).

“New MINI sees the introduction of electric powerassisted steering, which makes a significant contribution to the pin-point behaviour of the car”

Included within the option of DSC is hill assist. This feature holds a manual MINI on the brake when setting off on a gradient to prevent it from rolling back. In the event of a severe accident the car’s electric fuel pump is switched off automatically to prevent any chance of a fuel fire. At the same time the central locking is opened and both the interior lights and hazard warning flashers are immediately activated in order to attract attention.

New MINI also sees the introduction of electric power-assisted steering, which makes a significant contribution to the pin-point behaviour of the car. Speed-related power assistance guarantees low steering forces when parking and, at the same time, precise responses at high speeds on the motorway.

BMW has been one of the first manufacturers to increasingly fit run-flat tyres as standard on models and they are standard on the MINI Cooper S. In the event of a puncture, run-flat tyres allow drivers to continue their journey for 90 miles at speeds of up to 50mph.

 

Nissan

Nissan's Qashqai

Nissan’s all-new Sunderland-built Qashqai is the same size as a Ford Focus, but smaller than a typical compact sports utility vehicle, and goes on sale early in 2007 with safety billed as one of its key attributes. The driving characteristics of a sports utility vehicle and a conventional car vary enormously, with the 4x4’s higher centre of gravity translating into less controllability in an emergency as well as longer stopping distances.

However, says Nissan, despite sitting higher than a rival hatchback, Qashqai’s braking performance is far superior to that of a typical 4x4 due to its lower centre of gravity and the most advanced braking and traction control systems currently available. Disc brakes all round with standard anti-lock (ABS) are boosted by Brake Assist and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD). Brake Assist maintains maximum deceleration during an emergency stop while EBD constantly alters the front rear balance to achieve optimum brake performance, automatically compensating for differing load conditions.

All-mode 4x4 is linked to Bosch’s eighth generation Electronic Stability Programme (ESP). Using sensors linked to the brakes, steering, wheels and the body itself, ESP constantly monitors the way the car is being driven. From the steering angle and wheel speeds, ESP calculates what manoeuvres the driver intends to perform and from signals from the yaw-rate and lateral acceleration sensors ESP recognises whether the vehicle might skid off course. In an emergency, ESP reacts swiftly, and by selectively applying the brakes at each wheel ESP “steers” the vehicle in the desired direction.

“Nissan Qashqai’s braking performance is far superior to that of a typical 4x4 due to its lower centre of gravity”

Among the other electronic control systems that Qashqai has in its armoury are cornering brake control and EUC, which stands for enhanced understeer control. In the latter case, the system applies the brakes to all four wheels to reduce excessive understeer. Finally, hydraulic fade compensation (HFC) prevents brake fade after a period of heavy brake usage. Passive safety equipment starts with six airbags standard on all models, while the full-length panoramic glass roof, available on four-wheel-drive versions, is made from laminated glass to ensure it will not shatter in the event of a roll-over crash.

Principal options include Xenon headlamps, cruise control, navigation, reversing camera and Bluetooth connectivity.

 

SEAT

The SEAT Leon prototype

Spanish manufacturer SEAT has unveiled a “special” version of its Leon model featuring a raft of “intelligent” technological innovations that communicate with both the driver and traffic conditions. The SEAT Leon prototype has been developed as part of a major Adaptive Integrated Driver-vehicle Interface project, which is being championed by the European Union as the focus on eSafety continues to increase. The ultimate goal is to increase driving safety, drawing from available vehicle-generated information regarding surroundings, vehicle and driver. This makes the car intelligent enough to make decisions that affect driving safety.

Features on the prototype include the ability to notify the driver when it senses danger on the road ahead, via a light on the dashboard and an audible warning. The Leon also emits a warning sound and sends vibrations through the steering wheel if it detects that the driver is falling asleep. Meanwhile, with the dangers associated with using a mobile phone on the move well documented, the Leon is equipped with the technology to put an incoming call on hold while, for example, negotiating a roundabout. The vehicle recognises the car’s positioning and only “releases” the call on exiting the roundabout.

The functionality works as the Leon is equipped with sensors that monitor a driver’s eye movement and blink frequency, a radar that detects objects ahead, GPS and a specific communication network. SEAT’s Technical Centre has also developed new solutions for the driver to interact with the vehicle, such as a steering-wheel-mounted control to manage most of the menus. These functions can also be carried out through voice control.

 

Toyota

The Toyota Prius

Technology available as an option on the Toyota Prius range-topping T-Spirit means that kerb-climbing and gear-crunching to-ing and fro-ing practised by drivers trying to reverse into small spaces is history. The Japanese manufacturer launched the self-parking intelligent park assist package on its Prius T-Spirit models in January and says demand has been a lot higher than expected.

Costing £400 including VAT as an option on the hybrid flagship, a company spokesman says the technology could be made available on other vehicles as new generation models are launched. This year, Toyota expects to sell a total of 4,800 Prius models in the UK with intelligent park assist being fitted to around 10% of vehicles. The T-Spirit accounts for about half of total sales. Intelligent park assist works in conjunction with the car’s rear parking monitor, controlling speed and steering to help manoeuvre the vehicle into a designated parallel or side-by-side parking space.

“This year Toyota expects to sell a total of 4,800 Prius models in the UK, with intelligent park assist being fitted to around 10% of vehicles”

After pressing the IPA button, the driver selects the parking spot on the touch-sensitive display screen on the dashboard. Where space permits, the system will help the driver steer the Prius into the parking space. After positioning the car at the appropriate angle and within the required safe distances from neighbouring vehicles, IPA will calculate the correct course and will then engage the necessary steering angle for the manoeuvre automatically. The driver must control the throttle and brake during this procedure – but need not touch the steering wheel – bringing the vehicle to halt in the designed parking space when the manoeuvre is complete. IPA works by taking signals from the electric power steering, the yaw rate, acceleration and wheel angle sensors, the skid control engine control unit (ECU) and the hybrid system’s ECU.

If the driver prefers not to use IPA, they can make use of the more conventional Toyota park assist system, which uses a compact rear-mounted camera to relay real-time images of the area behind the vehicle to the dashboard monitor. These can be overlaid with guidelines, which show the predicted path of the Prius as it is reversed into a parking place.

 

Vauxhall

Corsa’s stylish interior hiding many safety features

The all-new three- and five-door Vauxhall Corsa, one of the UK’s best-selling models went on sale in October bringing big car safety features to the supermini sector. Electronic safety devices are now commonplace even in the Corsa’s class, but Vauxhall says that the sophistication of the new model’s ABS and optional ESP systems would be considered “exceptional even in the class above”.

The ABS system features Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, cornering brake control (CBC) and straight-line stability control (SLS). When braking in a corner, CBC reduces the braking pressure at the inner-most wheel, delaying the application of ABS and reducing the braking distance. SLS prevents skidding when braking during straight-ahead driving by reducing braking pressure on one side of the car as required, which is especially useful when driving on uneven road surfaces or poorly-maintained streets.

The ESP system has been tuned so that it gives complete control to the driver in the first instance, including at very high cornering speeds, and only gradually takes over when there is danger of losing control of the car by individually and independently braking all four wheels if necessary. Extra ESP functions, available as an optional pack, include hill-start assist to prevent the car from rolling backwards when driving off on a slope without having to use the handbrake and a deflation detection system to give early warning of a punctured tyre.

“New Corsa also features the first-in-class variable progressive ratio steering for greater directness”

New Corsa also features the first-in-class variable progressive ratio steering for greater directness. The steering wheel controls a speed-dependent electronic power steering system, making the model easier to manoeuvre in town, but delivering a much meatier feel on faster stretches of road or when cruising at speed. As well as the many active safety features demonstrated by its dynamic chassis design, new Corsa has been designed to offer the best levels of occupant protection.

Under heavy braking when the ABS is activated, the brake lights flash five times per second to warn following motorists. If airbags or seatbelt pretensioners are activated in an accident, the car’s safety system will automatically switch on the hazard warning lights. In the event of a crash, two-stage airbags and side airbags for both front passengers feature on all models and the top sellers in the range also have head curtain airbags across the entire length of the cabin to help cushion any impact.

Seatbelt pretensioners secure the shoulder parts of the seatbelts, and as a new innovation there is also a separate tensioner on the lap part belts for all models from Club upwards. In addition, GM’s patented pedal release system automatically drops the pedals away from the driver’s feet in the event of a heavy frontal collision. Corsa also offers halogen adaptive front curve lighting and follow-me-home lighting.

* * *

Vauxhall is transforming windscreen wiper blade technology with the introduction of the new flatblade – a joint-free, aerodynamic design incorporating an integrated spoiler and spring-loaded rails, which provide a uniform windscreen contact pressure across the entire length of the blade. Poor visibility is a major contributor to road traffic crashes, with defective wiper blades being one of the main causes.

Car drivers can also face a fine of up to £1,000 and two penalty points on their driving licence if their vehicle is found to have defective wiper blades. Vauxhall flatblades are sleeker than a conventional wiper blade, with a higher resistance to wind lift at high speed, and deliver a more consistent, high-quality wipe performance. Flatblade aerodynamics also play an important part in reducing wind noise by up to 50%, and the low-profile structure blends in neatly with modern car styling.

The new flatblades are available from Vauxhall retailers at an introductory price of £23.50 per set. They can be fitted to a wide range of Vauxhall models, including Corsa from 2000 onwards, Astra from 1998 to 2004, Tigra Twin Top, Meriva, Zafira from 1998 to 2005, Vectra from 1995 onwards and Signum.

 

Volkswagen

The new Volkswagen Touareg

The new Volkswagen Touareg will go on sale in the UK at the end of January and the luxury 4x4 will see the debut of ABSPlus and additional ESP (electronic stabilisation programme) features.

ABSPlus has been developed and patented by Volkswagen and is a world first. The system shortens the braking distance by up to 20% when on loose driving surfaces. Additionally, new features have been added to the ESP, including active rollover protection (ARP), rain brake support, fading brake support and understeer control logic, which improves the turning behaviour in the event of understeer.

 

Volvo

The all-new Volvo C30 will go on sale in the UK at the turn of the year with the Swedish manufacturer promising first-class safety features. Standard safety equipment includes Volvo’s unique whiplash protection system (WHIPS), side impact protection system (SIPS) with side airbags and inflatable curtain (IC). Other standard equipment includes dynamic stability and traction control, ABS with EBD and EBA and seatbelt pretensioners. The C30 SportsCoupe will be the smallest Volvo available when it goes on sale. Models will also be available with Volvo’s award-winning Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), which helps the driver identify vehicles in the blind spot at the rear of the car.

Volvo's new C30 has a range of standard safety equipment

 

 

 

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