BMW Z4 Named Safest Car in its Class

The open top BMW Z4 Roadster has been named the safest car in its class
by EuroNCAP, the independent motoring organisation that assesses the
safety of cars. Crash tests carried out by EuroNCAP (European New Car
Assessment Programme) measures the level of risk of driver and
passenger injury on a 16-point scale. The BMW Z4's numbers were 15.64
for a frontal impact and 16.00 for a crash from the side. These are the
best results ever recorded by this test procedure. "The BMW Z4 is
as safe as it is exciting. Ever since it was launched, it has remained
the top car in its class. And now it has been shown to be the safest in
its class too, for drivers and passengers alike," said Martin
Klanner, Z4 project manager of the BMW Group. Although the BMW Z4 does
not have a fixed roof, the level of passenger stress in the event of an
accident is even lower than in most modern vehicles with a solid roof.
"This is a milestone for the development of vehicle safety and at
the same time an impressive demonstration of the strength of innovation
shown by BMW engineers," said Klanner. The BMW Z4 obtains its
high level of stability from the central Y support in the floor pan
section, in association with the frame construction in the side panels,
which extend from the front wheel arch via the sill to the rear
section, and are made of high-strength steel material. They are
connected to the safety cage via the rollover protector in the A
column/windscreen frame, the foot-rest surfaces, with optimised
intrusion properties, and the traverse body sills with the integrated
rollover protectors behind the seats. The BMW Z4 is a trend setter in
terms of safety in many other areas, including run-flat tyres. The tyre
faces make it considerably easier to control vehicle reactions in the
event of a sudden puncture and it is even possible to continue driving
for up to 150 km even following a complete loss of tyre pressure. Since
80% of punctures are preceded by a slow pressure drop, a puncture
warning indicator is fitted as standard. Another innovation with
which the BMW Z4 is fitted as standard is the two-level brake light. In
the event of an emergency stop, additional LEDs are activated in the
brake lights, which have the effect of enhancing the warning signal to
any vehicles to the rear. The Advanced Safety Electronic (ASE) system
constitutes the mastermind for a number of further, standard safety
features, all included in the BMW Z4. It is responsible for triggering
off the airbags in appropriate situations and activates the seat-belt
tightening mechanism. It also disconnects the battery, switches off the
generator and fuel pump, releases the central lock and activates the
interior light and hazard warning lamps. With more than 19,000 cars
sold this year by May the BMW Z4 is the most successful roadster in its
segment for 2004, a status it has retained since its market
introduction in October 2002.