[johnsocal]

How will new European pedestrian safety laws (that effect the front-end design of all cars except for mid engine vehicles) alter the front-end of the Mini?

[Paul]

Not too badly we hope! But there is, according to MINI, "no clever way around it", that is they MUST have that engine clearance, you cant say "but we've used X technology instead".. it'll be a challenge!

[dcfkan]

There is already a crumble zone in the front of the MINI, no?

DK :apple:

[Paul]

The new regulations are tougher, and require space above the engine too.

[KenL]

How are they going to make SUVs with big slab fronted front ends safer for pedestrians?

I think they should just ban them

[Paul]

I know, a load of rubbish really isn't it.

[randap]

Quote: Originally Posted by KenL

How are they going to make SUVs with big slab fronted front ends safer for pedestrians?

What about the double-decker bus? How funny would they look with a double bed sticking out of the front....

[geist]

It amazes me that Cars have to be made more pedestrian friendly, however if pedestrians were concentrating on crossing the road properly, they would not get hit

Why is it always the Car Driver that gets apportioned with the blame

[johnsocal]

Do you think this law will have alot to do why the next-gen mini Cooper S will most likely ditch the hood scoop and use a turbo and that both models will use a different engine that sits lower to allow for more crushing space?

[andyupnorth]

The general thrust of the new legislation will be to make new cars safer in the event of collisions with pedestrians. Generally this means:

- bumper must impact below knee to minimise damge and allow pedestrian to roll onto bonnet.
- hard impact points to be removed.
- cushioning of impact must be maximised to reduce head injuries.

For MINI this will probably mean:

- Longer bonnet length to reduce the chances of a pedestrian's head hitting the windscreen.
- A larger gap between hard points under the bonnett i.e. suspension turrets and cylinder head.
- Windscreen wipers hidden under rear edge of bonnet to prevent injury.

I think the cars that performs most successfully in pedestrian impacts are the Honda Civic and the MGF (rear engined cars perform better).

SUVs and 4x4s are probably going to be affected most with the front end of these changing radically in future.

[JBA]

Quote: Originally Posted by geist

It amazes me that Cars have to be made more pedestrian friendly, however if pedestrians were concentrating on crossing the road properly, they would not get hit

Why is it always the Car Driver that gets apportioned with the blame

Well its sometimes because the blessed Car Driver is going too fast to stop, sometimes too fast to keep off the pavement, sometimes too drunk/drugged to control the car. Admittedly some pedestrians have the falling over juice habit too, and even when sober, wander across the road without looking, but generally its an unequal contest. As the consequences of folly, whoever causes it, can be reduced with intelligent design, why not do so? May as well get rid of the bull-bars also.

[johnsocal]

I wonder if these new laws will force the next-gen mini to be larger and built off the same platform as the BMW 1-series?

[Johnny225]

BAN ALL SUV's! The amount of deaths will come down drastically!

[Burgoyne]

I have added a new safety feature to Burgy to help her be in line with the new law.

It was a quick mod, and hopefully it will allow the cops to leave her alone.

[xplode]

one of the sportier recent concepts (i forget which one, possibly the vw roadster thingy concept-r) has a plan of using bonnet "lifters" that react on impact and lifts the bonnet up away from the engine. apparantly it's a strategy that's supposed to work, but i can't shake the image of catapulting the pedestrian into the air...

edit: found a link: http://www.autoliv.com/appl_alv/alvw...n?OpenDocument

[wmd]

Noooooooooooooooooooo..not the cars. Don't place the burden for pedestrian safety on car designers. How about using a proven method of pedestrian safety that has been around for 40 years, that requires the pedestrian to protect themselves?

[Spottydog]

Quote: Originally Posted by geist

It amazes me that Cars have to be made more pedestrian friendly, however if pedestrians were concentrating on crossing the road properly, they would not get hit

Why is it always the Car Driver that gets apportioned with the blame

I don't think its an issue of blame - its about saving lives.

[RVW]

I suppose this new legistration will mean the end of driving lights/spotlights

Could put cow catcher on front like the old american steam trains tThat should scoop e`m up and sweep e`m to one side safely

[Eric_Rowland]

From a staunch Darwinist, I say it's all rubbish!
Make it safer to run into people, then how many will start running them down just for sport?!
"No harm then, carry on!"
I can think of many better ways to save lives (those that need saving.)

I can see it now in the US - Woman sues auto maker because she has abnormally short calves, knees injured in crash - "they should have made it safer for that bloke (er, guy) to run into me!"

[brett]

Yeah they tried banning bull bars in Australia. because of pedestrian safety.

That didn't work.