2014 BMW X5 (F15) Bits Exposed! Crash Test Prototype Spied with Pedestrian Airbag?

[mapezzul]

Originally Posted by EnI

It's obviously a E70 mule ... with F15 front end. Very evolutionary bonnet styling, and F30-3er-like headlight-grille design.

Can't agree with your view at all. There would be no point to crashing your grafted model- load forces would have no value to the engineers. The two chassis couldn't be any more different.
They can computer simulate just about everything but actual impact results such as where part A will go. The new chassis is in prototyping production so I am fairly certain they would test that. Have we even seen a hydrid E/F chassis mule? That should have occurred a long time ago as that early development is over and was more than likely in a F11 wagon. Just my take but from what I've seen in person I highly doubt these are grafted mules running around.

[Tunisie-G]

Originally Posted by egal

I'll be the first to disable this.

After hitting a few deer at highway speeds, I don't want some balloon going off in front of me while I focus on maintaining control and stopping safely.

Because the x5 is taller, I am not worried of the deer killing a passenger through the windshield vs a sedan.

So for me, the benefits don't outweigh the risk to my family.

People don't walk in the street where I drive, animals do!

The day you disable it, you end up hitting a person haha. Just saying

[asdfx]

Is it just me or does that front end look ridiculously massive?

[mouivann]

Can't wait to see the final project.

[EnI]

Originally Posted by mapezzul

Can't agree with your view at all. There would be no point to crashing your grafted model- load forces would have no value to the engineers. The two chassis couldn't be any more different.
They can computer simulate just about everything but actual impact results such as where part A will go. The new chassis is in prototyping production so I am fairly certain they would test that. Have we even seen a hydrid E/F chassis mule? That should have occurred a long time ago as that early development is over and was more than likely in a F11 wagon. Just my take but from what I've seen in person I highly doubt these are grafted mules running around.

The mule is obviously not for crash load testing but for hood passenger airbag function tests only: the bag itself, the sensors etc. Therefore only the front is crucial but not the rest of the body.

It's F15 nose "glued" on E70 body & chassis. There rest of the body - apart from the nose - is certainly E70. Even the paint seems different: regular one on the sides, roof, rear ... while the front looks matte to me.

Check the side panels, the roof, the greenhouse ... It's E70. Even the E70-specific plastic side protection trim is there on the doors. And the model badge.

Only the hood & the fascia are form F15. So, only the bonnet styling & the basic shape (not the graphics, though) of headlights, and a part of grille have been revealed. Nothing else. Since everything else is E70.

And it's cheaper to "glue" a F15 nose on E70 for such tests then build another F15 prototype. Cost cutting everywhere where possible.

[3s-a-charm]

Originally Posted by EnI

The mule is obviously not for crash load testing but for hood passenger airbag function tests only: the bag itself, the sensors etc. Therefore only the front is crucial but not the rest of the body.

It's F15 nose "glued" on E70 body & chassis. There rest of the body - apart from the nose - is certainly E70. Even the paint seems different: regular one on the sides, roof, rear ... while the front looks matte to me.

Check the side panels, the roof, the greenhouse ... It's E70. Even the E70-specific plastic side protection trim is there on the doors. And the model badge.

Only the hood & the fascia are form F15. So, only the bonnet styling & the basic shape (not the graphics, though) of headlights, and a part of grille have been revealed. Nothing else. Since everything else is E70.

And it's cheaper to "glue" a F15 nose on E70 for such tests then build another F15 prototype. Cost cutting everywhere where possible.

Good point... I can see that now.

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by kiloil

That is stupid. Lawyers will eat that up in US.

Why exactly would lawyers want to go after manufacturers for adding additional safety features?

Originally Posted by bimmerjph

Wow how about they just look before they cross the street. Pretty effing simple.

Seriously though is it really necessary to add weight, cost, and complexity to the car when all it requires is more common sense. The EU could spend half the money they usually would to "educate the public", and car makers save even more. Its a win win.

While I think the engineering and tech behind it is interesting, I tend to agree with you. On a side note, this reminds me of people complaining that with electric cars it is far more difficult to hear them coming, potentially causing accidents with pedestrians to increase.

[bavarian19]

This airbag seems like a really stupid idea. How does the car differentiate hitting a pedestrian, and lets say a pole?

I'll guarantee it doesn't, and all it is going to do is raise the cost of repairs significantly.

Is hitting a pedestrian really such a common occurrance that it requires this type of technology?

[palpatine_us]

Originally Posted by bavarian19

This airbag seems like a really stupid idea. How does the car differentiate hitting a pedestrian, and lets say a pole?

I'll guarantee it doesn't, and all it is going to do is raise the cost of repairs significantly.

Is hitting a pedestrian really such a common occurrance that it requires this type of technology?

Paying a person for broken bones is much cheaper than paying an estate for lifetime earnings.

The airbag should help prevent whatever you've hit from going through the windshield too- deer and elk at 70 mph don't tend to glide over the car when you've just taken out their legs.

[palpatine_us]

Originally Posted by palpatine_us

Paying a person for broken bones is much cheaper than paying an estate for lifetime earnings.

The airbag should help prevent whatever you've hit from going through the windshield too- deer and elk at 70 mph don't tend to glide over the car when you've just taken out their legs.

Okay, maybe you're going 70, the elk hasn't gotten its driving license yet.

[Imola.ZHP]

Pedestrians should not be in the road, this is useless technology that adds un-needed additional weight and costs IMO...

[Singletrack]

Originally Posted by Imola.ZHP

Pedestrians should not be in the road, this is useless technology that adds un-needed additional weight and costs IMO...

I think around four thousand dead Americans per year would probably disagree with you, if they weren't...dead.

[serge1]

Good technology. If it saves a life of a pedestrian you hit (regardless whose fault), it will save the lifetime of guilt associated with killing a person.

[mweisdorfer]

New x5 looks wider.

[MDaniel]

I would like to know, what i have to do to be one of those BMW testdrivers ?
Really i love driving, and i do it a lot, and i realy want to be one of them, just driving around, and testing the car limits..
Does anyone know want i have to do? What degree must i have?
Thanks!

[MrRager]

so u flip them off the car and under it.. now theyll get ran over. perfect

[JKM320]

How long until we see new renders based off of these shots?!

[Droptopp]

So to protect the pedestrians the hood will be blown up towards the presumed head of said pedestrian by an explosive charge to inflate an airbag to allow for the same pedestrian to roll over the windshield and enter traffic directly behind the vehicle.

I think I would like to take a chance with the windshield personally.

Euro restrictions are amazing yet almost every city runs their light rail right through pedestrian sidewalks.

Hmm ......

[MillerMav]

That bumper sure does looks familiar!

There will be an M version too just an FYI

[SixeL]

so when are we expecting these models to be out on the road in NA?
mid 2013 calendar year?

[MillerMav]

Originally Posted by SixeL

so when are we expecting these models to be out on the road in NA?
mid 2013 calendar year?

We do not start manufacturing the crash systems until October 2012 so I would say probably Q1 2013. We haven't gotten the design freeze's yet from BMW and are still playing around with a couple things but they will probably freeze it soon I would imagine. I should start getting production equipment in end of August for run off though.

[StephansonTieu]

Wow, advanced. Wish we could retrofit this into ever car, just to save a few more lives.