Future Hyundai cars to get centre side airbag

In an effort to enhance the safety aspect in its cars, the Hyundai Motor Group has developed a new centre side airbag. The airbag expands into space between the driver and the passenger to prevent the front row passengers from colliding. The Hyundai Motor Group further claims that the patented technology is also one of the lightest centre airbag in the world.

The group claims that this additional airbag prevents head injuries to the passengers in the front row. If there is no one in the front passenger seat, the airbag will protect the driver from right side collision. The centre side airbag is reportedly installed inside the driver’s seat and will deploy once the impact is sensed.  Hyundai claims that the new centre side airbag reduces head injuries to the passengers by 80 per cent. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association’s statistics, the rate of secondary damage caused by these kinds of collisions or from hitting interior materials is about 45 per cent.

Hyundai vehicles have been awarded a five-star safety ratings by the NHTSA, as well as 12 TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards by the IIHS. Those vehicles include the Hyundai Kona, Santa Fe, Tucson and NEXO. Upcoming Euro NCAP is expected to include side impact into its evaluation beginning 2020 and the Hyundai Motor Group’s airbag is expected to work in its favour.