Among the numerous innovations we'll see in the 2011 Ford Explorer are these new rear seat inflatable seat belts. Ford says the new inflatable belts spread out crash forces over a much greater area of the body than conventional belts. The redesigned Ford Explorer is due out next year and Ford says it will eventually add the technology to its entire global lineup.
Spy Photos: 2011 Ford Explorer
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vvk says:
09:04 AM, 11/ 5/09
Excellent! Great job Ford.
greenpony says:
10:53 AM, 11/ 5/09
So now when we're in a collision, we'll have to replace the twenty airbags that go off, plus the seatbelts??
estreka says:
12:33 PM, 11/ 5/09
Actually, if you're in a collision, the car will most likely be totaled as today's cars are not intended to survive a crash. Hell, bruise a 10 year old Escalade's front bumper and it could theoretically be totaled.
altimadude00 says:
01:16 PM, 11/ 5/09
Don't people today get airbag burns on their arms? Now you want to put it close to a child's face and throat? Not such a good idea if you ask me.
audidriver says:
02:19 PM, 11/ 5/09
These are suppose to be cold air inflated. So no burns from hot air.
parchisi64 says:
04:06 PM, 11/ 5/09
"Don't people today get airbag burns on their arms? Now you want to put it close to a child's face and throat? Not such a good idea if you ask me."
Doh! Why didn't Ford think of that like you did? Man, those domestic car companies must be soooooo stupid!
parchisi64 says:
04:13 PM, 11/ 5/09
"So now when we're in a collision, we'll have to replace the twenty airbags that go off, plus the seatbelts??"
I would venture to guess that for most people, the reduced chance of injury to themselves/passengers/children is worth it.
I'm still waiting for the insta-foam system like in the movie Demolition Man.
cruiserhead1 says:
06:53 PM, 11/ 5/09
parchisi64,
I totally thought of Demo Man too! It's funny how that actually looks realistic now!
If a car is totalled and my wife walks away without a scratch, I don't care if it has 30 airbags. It was a good purchase.
Add up the cost of any car and it is miniscule- less than miniscule- compared to medical bills and quality of life.
Safety systems have to be balanced by cost, weight, etc but innovation in safety is always a good investment.
slickersdrip says:
12:28 AM, 11/ 7/09
I agree with cruiserhead1 on this to a point... I wouldn't care if my fiancé is driving a tank with eight thousand pounds worth of airbags, it would be worth the purchase and I'd be happy to pay the extra dollars for the system.
What I'm afraid of with this system is that the congress will latch onto this, too, and make this mandatory. As I don't value me quite as much, a stripped down RX-8 with a twin turbo set up and no safety mandates would be about ideal.
bimmerjay says:
06:59 PM, 11/ 7/09
@greenpony,
"So now when we're in a collision, we'll have to replace the twenty airbags that go off, plus the seatbelts??"
Many belt systems today have force limiters, expanding webbing, and pyrotechnic pre-tensioners. When these devices are engaged in a crash it already requires replacement of the seat belt.
Even without ANY of these devices, any seat belts used on an occupant in a serious crash should be replaced because they stretch from absorbing massive inertial forces.