What's The Best Place For Your Teen To Learn How...

Toyota introduces rear-window protection airbag

 
4 2,008 views Sep 30, 2008

54812 a toy 2

Toyota's new iQ compact car is expected to score high safety ratings

Toyota's new iQ compact car is expected to score high safety ratings

Enlarge Photo
Since its humble beginnings as an optional feature on cars in the 1970s, the airbag has become a must-have safety feature for any new car on the market. The development of curtain airbags have also increased the number of airbags in new cars to eight – or more – however Toyota is developing yet another implementation for them to be fitted to the rear windows.

The airbag is stored in the roof lining above the rear window and ejects similarly to a curtain airbag to protects the heads of passengers in the event of a rear-end collision. Together with the headrests, the airbag minimizes impact to the head from a colliding vehicle or parts of the hit vehicle, thus helping to reduce the severity of injuries.

Rear window airbag works similarly to side-curtain airbags common on many cars today

Rear window airbag works similarly to side-curtain airbags common on many cars today

Enlarge Photo
The brand new iQ compact car is Toyota’s answer to the Smart ForTwo and is expected to sell 100,000 units annually. One of the major stumbling blocks with the introduction of the ForTwo was convincing consumers that it was safe and Mercedes has repeatedly demonstrated that the ForTwo’s safety cell is unmatched in the small car category. Toyota officials have publicly stated that the iQ will be a five-star Euro NCAP rated car.

Unlike the two-seater Smart car, the iQ will fit three adults and one small child. The expected European on-sale date will be early next year however the company is also considering bringing it to the U.S. if fuel prices remain high.
Toyota iQ production model

HI-RES GALLERY: 54812 a toy 2




Tags:
Posted in:
 
Contribute
Send us a tip Comment Contact the editor
Follow Us

People Who Read This Article Also Read

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

  • Posting indicates you have read this site's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • Notify me when there are more comments
Comments (4)

  1. ma_gus avatar Gus Chyba Posted: 9/30/2008 8:29am PDT

    I've always thought these tiny cars would have a hard time dealing with a rear end collision, since the occupants are right in front of the back liftgate.
    They are still too scary for my taste, at least in the US, at least outside the big city centers.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  2. ma_andre avatar andre Posted: 9/30/2008 11:43am PDT

    The Airbag was first introduced in 1974 as an option on the Oldsmobile Torando and the Oldsmobile 98, Buick Electra and Buick Riviera
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  3. ma_www.mywheelsonwalls.com avatar www.mywheelsonwalls.com Posted: 9/30/2008 7:02pm PDT

    Andre- Very true and it was even tested but later withdrawn on Fords Pinto!

    Unfortunately none of these cars were offered on the world market but the S-Class was, so it also gets all the credit. Same goes with anti lock brakes. They first appeared in production on a Jensen but the industry always seems to give credit to Mercedes....
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  4. By  Cars for sale Posted: 2/9/2010 6:14am PST

    A have recently heard of toyota cars being recalled because of brakes failing and acceleration pedals sticking. This is no good for the brands name as they are known to always be the car to have for safety and reliability.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

Connect with Facebook

Motor Authority. Now with your friends.

Discover stories your friends read.
Share stories more easily.
You control what you share.
Learn more

Research New Cars

Go!


More from High Gear Media

 
 
MotorAuthority
  • Follow Us
  • Twiiter
  • Facebook
 
 
© 2011 MotorAuthority. All Rights Reserved. MotorAuthority is published by High Gear Media. Stock photography by Homestar, LLC. Send us feedback.