Side airbags
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Side airbags are an essential passive safety feature in modern automobiles, belonging to the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS). Their mission is to protect occupants in the event of a side collision, one of the most dangerous situations. There are two main types: the thorax airbag, generally integrated into the side of the seat backrest, and the curtain airbag, housed in the vehicle's headliner above the windows. During a side impact, pressure sensors and accelerometers send information to the Electronic Control Unit (ECU). Within milliseconds, if the impact is deemed severe, the ECU triggers deployment. The thorax airbag forms a protective barrier for the torso, abdomen, and pelvis. Simultaneously or independently, the curtain airbag deploys like a curtain along the windows, protecting the heads of front and rear passengers against impact with the glass, door pillar, or external objects. This technology has drastically reduced the severity of head and chest injuries, contributing significantly to achieving high crash-test ratings, notably those of Euro NCAP.
Benefits
- ✓Targeted protection of the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis during a side impact.
- ✓Drastic reduction in the risk of severe head injuries against the windows or pillars.
- ✓Protection of front and rear occupants thanks to curtain airbags.
- ✓Essential contribution to achieving a high safety score (e.g., 5-star Euro NCAP).
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What is a side airbag?
The side airbag is a fundamental element of passive safety in contemporary vehicles. Integrated into the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), alongside front airbags and seat belts, it is specifically designed to minimize injuries during an impact to the side of the vehicle. Unlike front airbags which protect during frontal collisions, side airbags create a protective cushion between the occupant and the door structure, window, or striking object. Their ultra-fast deployment is essential because the crumple zone space during a side impact is very limited.
The different types of side airbags
There are mainly two categories of side airbags, which work together to provide comprehensive protection:
- The thorax (or pelvi-thorax) airbag: As the name suggests, it is designed to protect the upper body. It is most often integrated into the outer part of the front seat backrest. Upon deployment, it positions itself between the occupant's torso and the door, absorbing the impact energy and thus protecting vital areas such as the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis.
- The curtain (or head) airbag: This airbag deploys from the vehicle's roof rail (headliner) along the side windows. Its role is crucial in protecting the heads of front and rear occupants from violent contact with the window or external elements. It remains inflated longer than other airbags to provide continuous protection in the event of a rollover.
Some recent vehicles also introduce the center airbag, which deploys between the two front passengers to prevent them from colliding with each other during a side impact.
How do side airbags work?
The operation of side airbags is a complex and near-instantaneous process that takes place in several stages:
- Detection: Pressure sensors and accelerometers, strategically placed in the doors, B-pillars, and vehicle floor, detect the deformation and sudden deceleration characteristic of a side impact.
- Analysis: Sensor data is transmitted in a fraction of a second to the airbag Electronic Control Unit (ECU). This computer analyzes the intensity, angle, and speed of the impact to determine whether it is necessary to deploy the airbags.
- Deployment: If the deployment threshold is reached, the ECU sends an electrical current to the gas generator of the relevant airbag. A pyrotechnic reaction then produces a large quantity of harmless gas (mainly nitrogen) which inflates the cushion in approximately 15 to 30 milliseconds.
- Protection: Fully deployed even before the occupant's body has had time to move significantly, the airbag cushions the blow and distributes the impact forces over a larger surface area of the body.
Crucial importance for safety and Euro NCAP tests
Side collisions are among the deadliest accidents because the energy-absorbing zone between the occupant and the exterior is very small. The introduction of side airbags has revolutionized passenger protection in these scenarios. Statistics show a reduction of more than 40% in fatalities related to thorax injuries during side impacts in equipped vehicles.
The independent organization Euro NCAP attaches vital importance to side protection in its assessments. Two tests are dedicated to this: the side impact against a mobile barrier simulating another car, and the much more severe pole test, which simulates a lateral slide against a tree or pole. The effectiveness of thorax and curtain airbags is directly measured during these tests. A vehicle cannot claim the maximum 5-star rating without excellent performance in these tests, which has pushed all manufacturers to integrate these systems as standard equipment across almost all their models.
Finitions équipées
123 finition(s) proposent cet équipement
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SE (1st generation) (2011-2015)
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Silver (2nd generation / Lancia continuum badge) (2018-2023)
Citroën Citroën C3
Live (3rd generation) (2016-2020)
Citroën Citroën C3
You! (3rd generation) (2020-2024)
Citroën Citroën C8
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Dacia Dacia Duster
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Dacia Dacia Logan
Prestige (1st generation) (2010-2012)
Dodge Dodge Avenger
SE (unique JS generation) (2010-2014)
Dodge Dodge Caliber
SE (1st and only generation) (2010-2011)
Dodge Dodge Journey
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Associated equipment
Curtain airbags
Curtain airbags, also known as 'curtain airbags' or Inflatable Tubular Structure (ITS), are essential passive safety devices in modern vehicles. Integrated into the headliner (roof lining) above the side windows, they deploy vertically downwards, like a curtain, in the event of a severe side impact or rollover. Their primary objective is to protect the heads of occupants, whether seated in the front or the rear, by creating a protective cushion between their heads and hard interior surfaces, such as windows, door pillars (B-pillar, C-pillar), or external objects. Unlike front or side airbags (which protect the thorax), curtain airbags remain inflated longer (several seconds) to provide continuous protection during multiple impacts or rollovers, and to prevent passenger ejection. Triggered by lateral acceleration sensors and gyroscopes, they are an integral part of the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) and are a major criterion in safety assessments such as Euro NCAP. Today, they are virtually standard on new cars sold on the French market.
ESP
ESP, or Electronic Stability Program, is an essential active safety system in modern vehicles, also known as Electronic Stability Control. Its primary role is to keep the vehicle on the trajectory intended by the driver, by preventing loss of grip and skidding. To do this, the ESP uses a series of sensors (wheel speed, steering wheel angle, lateral acceleration, yaw) that continuously analyze the consistency between the direction desired by the driver and the actual behavior of the car. If a discrepancy is detected, signaling the onset of understeer (the front wheels skid) or oversteer (the rear wheels skid), the system intervenes in a fraction of a second. It independently brakes one or more wheels and can also reduce engine power to bring the vehicle back onto the correct trajectory. Mandatory on all new vehicles sold in Europe since 2014, ESP is an electronic guardian angel that significantly increases safety during emergency avoidance maneuvers, in tight corners, or on slippery surfaces (rain, snow, ice). It works in synergy with other aids such as ABS and ASR (traction control).
Door intrusion beams
Door intrusion beams, also known as door reinforcements or side-impact beams, are essential passive safety components integrated into the vehicle's door structure. Generally manufactured from high-strength or ultra-high-strength steel (such as boron steel), these beams, often tubular in shape, are designed to absorb and dissipate the energy generated during a side collision. In the event of an impact, they reinforce the rigidity of the door, preventing it from intruding excessively into the cabin and injuring the occupants. They act as a shield, transferring a portion of the impact forces to more robust areas of the chassis, such as the center pillars (B-pillars) and the floor pan. Although invisible to the driver and passengers, they constitute a fundamental line of defense. Their presence is now standard on virtually all new vehicles, meeting increasingly stringent safety standards evaluated by organizations such as Euro NCAP. They work in synergy with other devices, notably side airbags, to provide maximum protection.
ISOFIX anchorages
The ISOFIX (International Standards Organisation FIX) attachment system is an international standard (ISO 13216) that revolutionizes child safety in cars. It was designed to standardize and simplify the installation of child car seats, eliminating the frequent risks of incorrect installation associated with using the seat belt. The principle is simple and robust: two metal rings are securely anchored to the vehicle's structure, generally between the seat cushion and backrest of the rear seats. The compatible child seat is equipped with two rigid latches that lock onto these anchorage points. An audible click and a visual indicator (changing from red to green) confirm that the installation is correct and secure. To counteract rotational forces during an impact, a third anchorage point is essential. This can be a top tether strap, which attaches behind the seat, or a support leg that rests on the floor. By making the car seat integral with the chassis, ISOFIX guarantees a rigid and stable connection, significantly reducing the movement of the child's head and body in the event of a collision, thereby offering an optimal level of protection. Since 2011, all new vehicles in Europe must be equipped with these anchorage points.
Center airbag
The center airbag, also known as the far-side airbag or inter-occupant airbag, is a major automotive passive safety innovation. Usually positioned in the inner bolster of the driver's seat or in the center console, it deploys between the two front occupants during a collision. Its primary objective is to prevent the driver and passenger from violently colliding with each other, particularly in the head and torso areas, during a side impact. This technology is particularly effective in far-side impact scenarios, where the body can be projected significantly across the cabin. By creating a flexible protective barrier, the center airbag limits the lateral movement of occupants, thereby reducing the risk of severe head and chest trauma. Its introduction has been widely encouraged by the tightening of safety test protocols, such as those of Euro NCAP, which now evaluate the interaction between passengers during a crash. Increasingly common in new vehicles, it complements the action of front, side, and curtain airbags to provide 360-degree protection.