Munich. With its purely electric drive and comprehensive range of digital features, the BMW iX represents a new era in individual mobility. In addition, it operates at the highest level of safety. This is according to the experts of the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) – the consumer protection institute specialising in automotive safety – who awarded the BMW iX the highest possible rating of five stars in the Euro NCAP safety assessment. During the course of the test programme, which was further intensified in 2020, the BMW Group’s new technology flagship impressed with both its outstanding occupant protection and its advanced driver assistance systems, which are particularly effective in helping to prevent accidents.

The BMW iX achieved five-star ratings in all test categories of the Euro NCAP crash test. In the assessment of adult occupant protection, the testers highlighted among other features the effectiveness of the new interactive airbag between the driver and front passenger seats, which provides additional protection against injury in the event of a side collision. Child safety in the rear of the BMW iX was also given the highest possible score for both frontal and side collisions.

Meanwhile, the integrated safety concept of the BMW iX ensures the highest level of passenger protection. In addition to precisely coordinated restraint systems, this includes highly resilient support structures and precisely designed deformation zones that absorb the impact of a collision and keep it away from the passenger compartment. The body structure of the BMW iX combines an aluminium spaceframe concept with a carbon cage for the passenger compartment. Particularly torsion-resistant components made of carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) are used in the roof, side and rear sections of the BMW iX.

“The BMW iX sets new standards in sustainability, and its top rating of five stars in the Euro NCAP underlines the vehicle’s comprehensive sustainability concept,” says Dominik Schuster, Head of Vehicle Safety BMW. “The extremely stable body structure and the extended range of restraint systems ensure an outstanding level of occupant protection. In addition, the BMW iX scores highly both in the test programme and in everyday driving with innovative driver assistance systems that significantly reduce the risk of accidents in a wide array of situations.” Among other features, the BMW iX has a front collision warning system with brake intervention that can detect pedestrians and cyclists as well as vehicles. In addition, the automatic emergency braking system now also reacts in turning situations, helping to minimise the risk to pedestrians when turning and the risk of collision with oncoming traffic when turning left.

If a collision does occur, the risk of injury to vulnerable road users is reduced by carefully designed body elements and flexible structures at the front of the vehicle. The BMW iX also features an active bonnet, which is raised by means of a pyrotechnical triggering mechanism as soon as the data collected by sensors indicate a corresponding collision. This creates a deformation zone that prevents direct impact between the pedestrian or cyclist and hard components in the engine compartment.

Other standard features of the BMW iX include an attention assistant, lane departure warning and speed limit recognition, all of which scored positively in the Euro NCAP crash test. The Driving Assistant Professional package is offered as an option, which also includes steering and lane guidance assistance. In a separate assessment, BMW’s Driving Assistant Professional in the iX3 was also recently awarded the top rating of “very good” by Euro NCAP.

The figures for fuel consumption, CO₂ emissions, power consumption and range are measured using the methods required according to Regulation (EC) 2007/715 as amended. They refer to vehicles on the automotive market in Germany. For ranges, the WLTP figures take into account the effects of any optional equipment.

All figures have already been determined on the basis of the new WLTP test cycle. WLTP values are used as a basis for the assessment of taxes and other vehicle-related levies that are (also) based on CO₂ emissions and, where applicable, for the purposes of vehicle-specific subsidies. Further information on the WLTP and NEDC measurement procedures can be found at www.bmw.de/wltp.

More information about the official fuel consumption figures and the official specific CO₂ emissions of new passenger cars can be obtained from the “Guideline on fuel consumption, CO₂ emissions and power consumption of new passenger cars”, available free of charge from all outlets, from Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH (DAT), Hellmuth-Hirth-Str. 1, 73760 Ostfildern-Scharnhausen, and at https://www.dat.de/co2/.

In autumn 2007 occupant safety in BMW cars is being further optimised
through the introduction of crash-activated headrests: All models in
the BMW 6 and the BMW 5 Series, as well as the BMW X5 and BMW X3, now
come as standard with these newly developed headrests significantly
reducing the risk of cervical vertebra injury in the event of a
collision from the rear. Masterminded by the car's safety electronics,
these crash-activated headrests move up to 60 millimetres or 2.36"
forward and up to 40 millimetres or 1.57" upward within fractions
of a second in the event of a collision, reducing the gap between the
headrests and the occupant's head before his head can be thrown back by
the forces acting on the car. This enhances the stabilising safety
function of the headrest and minimises the risk of injury or
over-stretching the occupant's cervical vertebrae. The cervical
vertebra (CV) syndrome also referred to as the whiplash trauma is one
of the most common types of injury in traffic accidents and is caused by
sudden impacts from behind. Highly painful in many cases, such a
trauma may even result from a rear-end collision at low speeds in city
traffic. To avoid collisions of this kind, BMW introduced two-stage
brake lights back in 2003, the illuminated area of the brake lights
becoming larger whenever the driver applies the brakes particularly
hard, thus giving motorists following from behind an absolutely clear
and informative signal, telling them to brake hard too. And now the new
crash-activated headrests offer the occupant of a BMW additional
protection in such a situation, whenever a collision can no longer be
avoided. Comfortable, safe, individually adjustable. From outside the
crash-activated headrests can be clearly distinguished through their
modern, two-piece look formed by the headrest support and the impact
plate together with its padding moving variably as required to the
front. At the side, in turn, the padded section features a button for
manual adjustment of headrest depth in the interest of enhanced driving
comfort, enabling the user to vary the position of the padding within
three different levels by up to 30 millimetres or 1.18". In a
collision the impact plate together with the padding will
instantaneously move forward by up to 60 millimetres or 2.36",
reducing the gap between the headrest and the occupant's head. And at
the same time the impact plate and padding will move up by up to 40
millimetres or 1.57". A second variant of the crash-activated
headrest has been developed for BMW's comfort seats, in this case
featuring side supports stretching along the entire height of the
headrest padding. This new version replaces the former active headrests
on the comfort seats. Activated by the airbag control unit. The
interior of both types of crash-activated headrests comprises complex,
spring-driven mechanical operating units activated by a pyro-actuator.
As soon as the pyro-actuator ignites, it propels a release stick moving
a release plate and setting two adjustment springs free. These springs,
in turn, move the impact plate and the headrest padding both forward
and upward.The pyro-actuator receives its ignition signal from the
airbag control unit as soon as the sensors detect a relevant impact at
the rear of the car, this system developed by BMW thus acting very
quickly and efficiently in protecting the occupants from whiplash
trauma. The new crash-activated headrests enhance not only the
stabilising and safety functions of the headrest, but also the level of
comfort while motoring. Conventional headrests set to the right
position are often perceived as too close to the occupant's head and
therefore appear to limit his freedom of movement. The new
crash-activated headrests, in turn, provide not only enhanced safety,
but also an improved feeling of space, since they are not required to
rest directly on the occupant's head while driving. Once the safety
mechanism in the crash-activated headrests has been actuated, an
appropriate Check/Control message will appear in the instrument cluster,
reminding the driver to go to a BMW workshop in order to renew the
pyro-actuator in the release system.

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.

BMW X5 is the first-ever large 4x4 to win the five star award in the
Euro NCAP crash test The BMW X5 Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) has
received the five-star award in the Euro NCAP (New Car Assessment
Programme) crash test underlining its position again as one of the
safest vehicles on the road. Strictly regulated by European
governments, consumer protection organizations and automobile clubs,
Euro NCAP is recognised as the toughest crash tests in the automotive
industry. The Euro NCAP consortium certified the X5 with very low risk
of injury for all occupants in all tested crash scenarios. The Euro
NCAP test is comprised of three individual tests; frontal, side and
pole impact. In the frontal crash test, one of the most difficult of
all crash tests, the BMW X5 scored 13 out of 16 points, while it won
all of the 18 points in both the side and pole crash tests. The five
stars achieved in the Euro NCAP crash test confirm the high level of
passive safety the BMW X5 demonstrated in earlier crash tests. For
example, in the test performed by the United States Insurance Institute
for Highway Safety (IIHS), the X5 scored the best result ever achieved
by any vehicle up to that time. Robert Bailey-McEwan, Managing
Director of BMW Group Middle East, said: "Our BMW X5 has been
setting new motoring standards since its launch in 1999 and has won
numerous safety awards. It is one of the safest vehicles on the road
combining the sporty and comfortable attributes of a typical BMW saloon
with exceptional off-road features." The fact that the BMW X5
offers such exemplary protection to its occupants in a crash is not a
matter of course in the large off-roader segment. The design of many
Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV) limits the energy absorption in case of a
collision due to the conventional separate chassis construction. On the
other hand, the BMW Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) is based on the
self-supporting lightweight body usually used for saloon cars, and
therefore, can absorb considerably more crash energy than a vehicle
with a separate chassis. In addition to the high design safety
features, the X5 offers passengers a maximum level of passive safety;
fitted with up to 10 airbags, including two-stage frontal airbags and
ITS head airbag, automatic-reel three-point safety belts on all seats,
belt tensioners and belt force limiters, belt wear and seat occupancy
detection as well as ISOFIX child seat mountings. In order to avoid
accidents, BMW development engineers have also invested a maximum
amount of effort in the active safety systems. The superior
suspension, the low vehicle centre of gravity and an ideal axle load
distribution are complemented by Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), the
electronic stability management system. ABS, CBC (Cornering Brake
Control), and DBC (Dynamic Brake Control) assist the excellent brake
system of the X5 in critical situations. In addition, to ensure
superior safety beyond paved roads, the DSC system has been supplemented
by two further functions: the automatic ADB-X differential brake and
Hill Descent Control, (HDC) the intelligent downhill drive control
system. - Ends -