The systems roll-over bars are composed of a tensioned and stationary mounted aluminum profile. The interior profile is kept in the rest position through a magnetic switch. Activated by the airbag control unit, the magnetic switch opens up a retaining latch in case of a roll over and uncovers the interior profile. During the extension a spur rack mounted on the interior profile traverses a support latch and secures the interior profile from retracting anytime. Together with the windscreen frame, the extended aluminum profiles provide effective protection in the event of the vehicle being turned over. The extended roll bar can be pushed back down manually as a reversible system.


New airbag technology / Head-thorax airbags double as lateral and window airbags

Also as standard, the Eos has safety optimized head rests and four airbags on board, yet the number four does not reflect the conditions absolutely correctly. Background: parallel with the front airbags, Volkswagen equipped this convertible with special lateral airbags so-called head-thorax airbags. During a collision they open horizontally and vertically and cover the entire lateral window band. From a conceptual approach, this way they also perform the tasks of conventional head or window airbags, which could obviously not be stored in an open roof. Furthermore the front passenger airbag can be de-activated as is the case for instance in the Golf or the Passat, if the seat is needed to strap in a small child in a Reboard seat. Isofix fasteners for extra secure anchoring of child seats are available as standard for the rear and optional for the passenger seat.


Airbag sensor system / Sensors in the front doors measure the pressure increase during a collision - this can make them some vital tenths faster

The airbag activation system and the sensor system for front, side and rear end collisions consists of the following components: an airbag control device in the front section of the frame tunnel with three internal acceleration sensors, two longitudinal sensors and one transverse sensor, two satellite sensors for lateral impact recognition. The satellite sensors in the two front doors are designed to react to pressure and measure the increased air pressure caused by the deformation of the front doors in the case of a sideways collision - the most effective concept for the measurement of the subsequent transverse acceleration. A rear end collision is recognized by the two longitudinal acceleration sensors which are integrated in the airbag control devices. Two additional sensors of this kind with an adapted measurement range and a rotary rate sensor in the airbag control device activate the roll bars as well as the electric safety belt tighteners in case of the vehicle turning around its longitudinal axis. In order to best protect the passengers in a bad front, sideways or rear end collision, the roll bars are also activated and the safety belts are tightened. Similar to the Passat, the Eos is equipped with a steering column which has the newly designed clamp for height and length adjustment and which in combination with a energy absorbing telescopic steering column prevents the steering wheel from tilting upwards in a crash.



BODY STRUCTURE /
By using mould hardened steels in the vehicle floor and in the lateral structure a missing load path - the fixed roof - could be replaced

The great potential of passive safety was part of the Eos' construction concept from the first hour of its development. Background: in contrast to a limousine the roof can only be used in a limited manner when looking at a convertible. Volkswagen has solved this problem: by using highly solid and ultra solid - mould hardened - steels in the vehicle floor and the lateral structure, the load path 'fixed roof' could be replaced. These ultra solid metal sheets (warm-remolded) were used in all safety relevant building elements (A-pillars, pipes on the seat cross member with support to the B-pillar, doors and vehicle floor cross members). Example: thanks to the use of an ultra solid railing pipe in the doors the Eos offers a significant improvement in comparison to conventional solutions in terms of the protective function of the passenger space. Also protected and integrated into the body in the space between the rear bench and the rear axle is the 55-liter gas tank.

previous page | go to page 7