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BMW continues to drive its innovation forward with the release of Brake Force
Display, a dynamic safety enhancement feature available on most models from May
2004.
Brake Force Display is a simple yet effective way of communicating to
following traffic that the BMW in front is stopping quickly, providing extra
advance warning of a potential road hazard ahead.
This should help lessen the need for harsh emergency braking by following
drivers who now have extra reaction time.
Brake Force Display warning has been fitted to BMW vehicles sold in the
United States for some time, and has just gained approval by regulatory bodies
in Europe and Australia for use in these markets.
Brake Force Display works by increasing the intensity of the brake lights in
the rear lamp clusters by expanding the number of illuminated LEDs when heavy
braking is detected.
The extra lighting is triggered after the anti-lock brake sensors detect a
rate of deceleration in excess of 5 m/second².
As an example of the force of the braking, at 5 m/second² a briefcase placed
on a car seat would accelerate off the seat onto the floor.
The system reacts within a few tenths of a second to increase the intensity
of the stoplight illumination, projecting a highly visible warning beacon to
following traffic.
Only deceleration forces trigger Brake Force Display, not simply pedal
pressure, in order to avoid unnecessary illumination.
BMW hopes the adoption of Brake Force Display will lead to a reduction in
avoidable rear-end collisions as well as help prevent loss of control caused by
panic braking in vehicles not equipped with advanced electronic chassis systems
such as BMW’s Dynamic Stability Control III.
BMW 5 Series, X3 and 6 Series Coupe and Convertible will be fitted with Brake
Force Display technology from March production, whilst the 3 Series, X5 and Z4
Roadster will include the feature from April production.
Brake Force Display joins a long list of safety feature firsts introduced as
standard fitment on BMW vehicles sold in Australia under its industry-leading
FIRST (Fully Integrated Road Safety Technology) policy which includes anti-lock
brakes, traction and stability control, dual-stage intelligent airbags and rigid
body shells equipped with impact absorbing crumple zones.
Many BMW vehicles also include the IHPS 2 (Inflatable Head Protection System)
that prevents the head and shoulders from hitting the door in the event of an
accident. As they stay inflated longer than conventional airbags these continue
to protect passengers in the event of the car rolling over, or from any objects
entering the car from the outside.
One of the most popular BMW vehicles in Australia, the X5 Sports Activity
Vehicle has been rated as the “best car ever tested” by the American Insurance
Institute for Highway Safety and comes complete with 10 airbags as standard.
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