BMW ahead on safety

MUNICH: BMW's head-protection air bag has been launched on the 1998 7-Series. The new Inflatable Tubular Structure is gas filled and runs from between the A pillar at the front of the car to above the rear door.

The tube is 13 centimeters wide and provides head protection in a side impact even if the windows have been smashed. A further safety refinement for the 7-Series includes the addition of rear side-impact air bags.

The air bags give added protection to the upper torso for backseat passengers. Other product refinements include a shorter external aerial that does not need to be removed at the car wash and a new luggage net for smaller objects.