World safety first for XK
24 October 2005 A sensor in the front bumper can detect if a pedestrian has been hit. It then triggers an explosive charge which raises the bonnet by 130mm, reducing the risk of the victim's head coming into contact with solid components such as the engine or suspension towers. Together, these measures ensure the XK can retain Jaguar's traditionally sleek, low styling and big V8 engines while still offering high levels of pedestrian protection. That protection begins with a deformable front bumper which buckles on contact, reducing the risk of broken limbs. At the same time, the advanced sensors can tell the speed and severity with which the bumper is being crushed. This allows them to read whether the driver has hit a pedestrian or something less vulnerable, for example a traffic cone. If it believes there has been contact with a pedestrian, the bonnet lid is raised on four airbags mounted on metal platforms. This all happens in just over 50 milliseconds and means the pedestrian lands on a relatively soft, deformable aluminium bonnet rather than the more solid components beneath it. Jaguar says the new XK has been engineered to meet all world safety standards with just one design. It claims the doors can still be opened by hand even after a Euro-NCAP standard 40mph frontal crash, and that there is no intrusion into the cabin. Both coupe and convertible meet the same safety standards. The convertible has pop-up hoops that punch holes through the glass rear window if there is a risk of a roll-over accident. They are said to be able to support 1.7 times the car's 1580kg weight. |
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