VIII
135
SAFETY
AIRBAGS
System designed to maximise the
safety of the occupants (with the
exception of the rear centre pas-
senger) in the event of violent col-
lisions. It supplements the action of
the force-limiting seat belts.
If a collision occurs, the electronic
detectors record and analyse the
front and side impacts sustained in
the impact detection zones:
- in the case of a serious impact,
the airbags are deployed instant-
ly and protect the occupants of
the vehicle (with the exception of
the rear centre passenger); im-
mediately after the impact, the
airbags defl ate rapidly so that
they do not hinder visibility or the
exit of the occupants,
- in the case of a minor or rear im-
pact or in certain roll-over con-
ditions, the airbags will not be
deployed; the seat belt alone
is suffi cient to provide optimum
protection in these situations.
The airbags do not operate
when the ignition is switched
off.
This equipment will only operate
once. If a second impact occurs
(during the same or a subsequent ac-
cident), the airbag will not operate.
Impact detection zones
A. Front impact zone.
B. Side impact zone.
Deployment of the airbag(s) is ac-
companied by a slight emission of
harmless smoke and a noise, due to
the activation of the pyrotechnic car-
tridge incorporated in the system.
This smoke is not harmful, but sen-
sitive individuals may experience
slight irritation.
The noise of the detonation may
result in a slight loss of hearing for
a short time.
Front airbags
System which protects the head and
chest of the driver and front passen-
ger in the event of a front impact.
The driver's airbag is fi tted in the
centre of the steering wheel; the
front passenger's airbag is fi tted in
the dashboard above the glove box.
Deployment
The airbags are deployed simultane-
ously, unless the passenger's front
airbag is deactivated, in the event of
a serious front impact applied to all
or part of the front impact zone A ,
in the longitudinal centreline of the
vehicle on a horizontal plane and di-
rected from the front to the rear of
the vehicle.
The front airbag infl ates between the
front occupant of the vehicle and the
dashboard to cushion their forward
movement.
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