Toyota leads safety with new rear-impact airbag

Compact cars are about to get a lot safer thanks to the development of a new rear-impact airbag, which will debut in the final production of the Toyota iQ minicar. The iQ is designed to seat four people and measures less than three meters in length and should be on sale in Europe and Japan by 2009, with the U.S. expected to follow soon after.

During a recent interview, the iQ’s chief designers Hiroki Nakajima revealed that the car features a new rear-impact airbag. “It is for rear-seat people. But there are some issues with certification. It is still secret,” Nakajima explained.
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Bill - 11/5/2007 11:14:21 AM

-3 Boost

This is a dumb question, but couldn't a rear-impact airbag snap your neck given certain situations?

autopro - 11/6/2007 11:40:36 AM

+1 Boost

Only a pencil neck like yourself.

Bill - 11/5/2007 1:22:41 PM

-1 Boost

Wow!

Lavic - 11/5/2007 12:31:14 PM

+2 Boost

The head rests can be very effective if used properly.

Could those rear-impact air bags replace those? Maybe in a small car like that iQ where there is no head rests for the back seats. We'll have to see.

Lexus - 11/5/2007 6:34:15 PM

+3 Boost

Congratulation to Toyota again, No surprise here, now all the other automaker can start copying Toyota.