<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/safety/" rel="tag">Safety</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/" rel="tag">Technology</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/fords-next-generation-airbag-technology/"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="0" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/airbag630opt.jpg" alt="Ford's next-gen airbag system" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><small>Ford's next-generation airbag technology - Click above for high-res image gallery</small></strong></em></div>
<br />
<a href="http://autoblog.com/make/ford">Ford</a> gave us a sneak peek at its production-ready <a href="http://autoblog.com/tag/2012+ford+focus">2012 Focus</a>, and while our lips may be sealed about the specs and our impressions, we can give you the low-down on the Blue Oval's new airbag technologies that will debut in its forthcoming C-segment stunner.<br />
<br />
For the driver, the new steering wheel airbag uses a tether system that pulls in the lower section of the bag back toward the dashboard. This creates a small pocket that will soften the blow of the airbag to the driver's chest and ribs, reducing the threat of bodily injury in a frontal crash. <br />
<br />
The side airbags also work to prevent injuries to the driver and front passenger by adding shoulder vents that stay open during inflation, reducing pressure for smaller occupants. Taller folks will block these vents with their shoulders, and this added pressure can actually prove to be helpful.<br />
<br />
Along with the shoulder vents, Ford has used an adaptive venting system in its passenger-side front airbag, which diverts some of the inflation gas outside of the bags. This better protects passengers by enhancing head and neck protection by matching inflation force with the size of the occupant, which is monitored by the weight sensors already built into the seats.<br />
<br />
As you'd expect, these safety features won't just be limited to the 2012 Focus. Ford says that this technology will quickly spread to the rest of its model range within the next few years. To see exactly how these systems work, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/16/ford-introduces-airbags-with-enhanced-crash-protection-debuting/">follow the jump</a> to watch an instructional animated video, as well as actual crash test footage. Ford's press release is available for your reading pleasure, as well.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/fords-next-generation-airbag-technology">Ford's Next-Generation Airbag Technology</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/fords-next-generation-airbag-technology/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/ford-next-generation-airbag01_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/fords-next-generation-airbag-technology/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/ford-next-generation-airbag02_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/fords-next-generation-airbag-technology/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/ford-next-generation-airbag03_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/fords-next-generation-airbag-technology/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/ford-next-generation-airbag04_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/fords-next-generation-airbag-technology/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/ford-next-generation-airbag05_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
[Source: Ford]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/16/ford-introduces-airbags-with-enhanced-crash-protection-debuting/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Ford introduces airbags with enhanced crash protection, debuting on 2012 Focus [w/video]</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/16/ford-introduces-airbags-with-enhanced-crash-protection-debuting/">Ford introduces airbags with enhanced crash protection, debuting on 2012 Focus [w/video]</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/16/ford-introduces-airbags-with-enhanced-crash-protection-debuting/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19635323/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/16/ford-introduces-airbags-with-enhanced-crash-protection-debuting/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><small>Ford's next-generation airbag technology - Click above for high-res image gallery</small></strong></em></div>
<br />
<a href="http://autoblog.com/make/ford">Ford</a> gave us a sneak peek at its production-ready <a href="http://autoblog.com/tag/2012+ford+focus">2012 Focus</a>, and while our lips may be sealed about the specs and our impressions, we can give you the low-down on the Blue Oval's new airbag technologies that will debut in its forthcoming C-segment stunner.<br />
<br />
For the driver, the new steering wheel airbag uses a tether system that pulls in the lower section of the bag back toward the dashboard. This creates a small pocket that will soften the blow of the airbag to the driver's chest and ribs, reducing the threat of bodily injury in a frontal crash. <br />
<br />
The side airbags also work to prevent injuries to the driver and front passenger by adding shoulder vents that stay open during inflation, reducing pressure for smaller occupants. Taller folks will block these vents with their shoulders, and this added pressure can actually prove to be helpful.<br />
<br />
Along with the shoulder vents, Ford has used an adaptive venting system in its passenger-side front airbag, which diverts some of the inflation gas outside of the bags. This better protects passengers by enhancing head and neck protection by matching inflation force with the size of the occupant, which is monitored by the weight sensors already built into the seats.<br />
<br />
As you'd expect, these safety features won't just be limited to the 2012 Focus. Ford says that this technology will quickly spread to the rest of its model range within the next few years. To see exactly how these systems work, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/16/ford-introduces-airbags-with-enhanced-crash-protection-debuting/">follow the jump</a> to watch an instructional animated video, as well as actual crash test footage. Ford's press release is available for your reading pleasure, as well.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/fords-next-generation-airbag-technology">Ford's Next-Generation Airbag Technology</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/fords-next-generation-airbag-technology/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/ford-next-generation-airbag01_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/fords-next-generation-airbag-technology/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/ford-next-generation-airbag02_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/fords-next-generation-airbag-technology/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/ford-next-generation-airbag03_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/fords-next-generation-airbag-technology/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/ford-next-generation-airbag04_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/fords-next-generation-airbag-technology/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/ford-next-generation-airbag05_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
[Source: Ford]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/16/ford-introduces-airbags-with-enhanced-crash-protection-debuting/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Ford introduces airbags with enhanced crash protection, debuting on 2012 Focus [w/video]</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/16/ford-introduces-airbags-with-enhanced-crash-protection-debuting/">Ford introduces airbags with enhanced crash protection, debuting on 2012 Focus [w/video]</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/16/ford-introduces-airbags-with-enhanced-crash-protection-debuting/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19635323/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/16/ford-introduces-airbags-with-enhanced-crash-protection-debuting/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>
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