Active Protection - preventative occupant protection

The Active Protection safety package is making its debut in the new BMW 3-Series Sedan under the banner of BMW ConnectedDrive. This assistance system is activated shortly after the driver pulls away - from 18 km/h (11 mph) - and tightens the driver and front passenger seat belts automatically to take up any slack. If the car enters a critical pre-crash scenario, the driver and front passenger belts are pulled tight, and the side windows and sunroof are closed. If the front-mounted camera or radar detects an emergency braking manoeuvre initiated by the driver or the onset of heavy understeer or oversteer, Active Protection deduces that a collision is likely. If a crash is unavoidable, the system automatically brakes the car without any intervention required from the driver. Following the initial impact, the car is then slowed to a standstill with maximum deceleration of 5 m/s² and its brakes locked for a further 1.5 seconds. This reduces the likelihood of - or even prevents - a second collision.

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