New safety features from BMW

Variable Light Distribution and Crash-Activated Headrests are two new safety features finding a place in BMW's Australian product range.

Building on BMW's earlier work developing headlight technology, the Variable Light Distribution facility can be specified for 5 Series models fitted with adaptive headlights. In due course, Variable Light Distribution will also be available for 6 Series models.

The system automatically widens the headlight beam or extends the range of the beam depending on the vehicle's speed. At speeds below 50km/h, the system adopts a broader beam to encompass objects that might not otherwise register in the driver's field of vision. If fog lights are activated at speeds up to 70km/h, the Variable Light Distribution system adjusts the range of the beam to extend a shorter distance in front of the car, but with a wider spread.

Variable Light Distribution works in conjunction with other lighting innovations introduced by BMW over the years, including adaptive headlights with cornering lights, High Beam Assist and Night Vision.

Timing it to coincide with the new headlight technology, BMW is also introducing Crash-Activated Headrests to the X3, X5, 5 Series and 6 Series model ranges. The new headrests are activated by the airbag control unit, which fires a pyrotechnic actuator when a rear-end collision is detected.

In the event of a rear end collision, the pyrotechnic actuator releases a spring-loaded mechanism to allow the impact plate and padding to move forward by as much as 60mm and up by as much as 40mm, to place the headrest in close proximity to the seat occupant's head.

This can reduce the severity of whiplash trauma -- also known as cervical vertebra syndrome, the hyper-extension of the cervical vertebrae -- a very common type of injury resulting from a crash.

The new headrests improve on conventional active headrests by allowing the seat occupant to adjust the headrests for greater comfort without detriment to the protection the headrests can provide.

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