Fiat Grande Punto on the other hand, adopts dual stage front airbags; when impact is of medium intensity, the system only activates the first stage; but with very strong impact, the control unit activates both stages. The two stages can also be activated with different sequences according to the type of impact. In any case, the bridles inside the bags guarantee that the maximum dimensions and the shape that the cushions assume are as non-invasive as possible for the passengers. Obviously the front passenger bag can be deactivated by the menu on the control panel, so that an infant can be carried in a special seat facing backwards (the pretensioner remains active).

The sensors of the Smart 2 Airbag also control the activation of the seat-belt pretensioners. Fiat Grande Punto fits inertia reel front seat-belts with pretensioners and load limiters. If impact occurs, the electronic pyrotechnical pretensioner retracts the belt in a few thousandths of a second, so that it grips the body perfectly. The load limiters are inside the front reels, and they give in a controlled manner to meter the effort exercised by the belt on the shoulders of the person wearing it.



The control unit and the sensors

Fiat Grande Punto is fitted with all the most advanced passive safety devices available. A sophisticated "nervous system" has been developed to control them, piloted by an electronic control unit in the front tunnel. This unit receives the signals from the various sensors positioned around the car (as well as those inside the control unit itself) and on the basis of these decides how many and which devices must be activated. This is why the system as a whole behaves in an 'intelligent way'. It is not activated when, in spite of the impact, there is no danger that the occupant will hit against the sides of the car. It recognises the stress that is not derived from impact. It also functions if there is a blackout in the electrical system. Making all this possible, takes extremely sophisticated functioning logics and measurement terminals. Like the CSA (Crash Severity Algorithm) which recognises the severity of the impact and controls the multistage front airbags; or the sensor that detects the presence of a front passenger and may warn the user to fasten his seat-belt with a beep or a telltale on the instrument panel. Or the decentralised sensor that detects head-on impact, and the ECS (Early Crash Sensor), an auxiliary device that is positioned in the front structure of the car and allows the control unit to anticipate the activation of the front airbags; unlike a traditional system, it allows them to unfold completely before the occupants start to move forward towards the steering wheel or the facia.


The curtain bags and sidebags

The former are airbags designed to inflate downwards along the windows, to protect occupants' heads in a side-on collision. The curtain bags adopted on the Grande Punto are more protective than other systems (because they always assume the correct position), inflate faster and are less invasive for passengers. They open from the top down and their movement cannot cause secondary injury to the occupants' arms.

They also effectively protect the heads of both front and rear passengers because they cover the whole windows and guarantee protection even if the car overturns. The two bags (one for the left and one for the right) are positioned underneath the roof longitudinals, folded into a closed compartment. At the appropriate moment, the cover folds, allowing the bags to inflate and descend.

To protect the pelvis and chest of front seat passengers in a side-on collision, Fiat Grande Punto also provides two sidebags built into the squab of the front seats, where they protect the occupants better, regardless of their stature, position or seat adjustment.


Driver's knee-bag (optional)

The area under the steering column has always been the most dangerous for the knees, but it is rendered innocuous both by the addition of the knee-bag and by a new position for the steering lock, which has allowed the ignition key to be moved from its usual position.

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