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.
[INLINE1]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.
Reader Comments
Tue Sep 30 2008 8:29 AM
Gus says
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.
Tue Sep 30 2008 11:43 AM
andre says
The Airbag was first introduced in 1974 as an option on the Oldsmobile Torando and the Oldsmobile 98, Buick Electra and Buick Riviera
Tue Sep 30 2008 7:02 PM
www.mywheelsonwalls.com says
Andre- Very true and it was even tested but later withdrawn on Fords Pinto!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....
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