Re: Side impact beams?

["Armstead, Brian" <barmstea@usia.gov>]

Harrison wrote:>On a type 44 car, the side impact beams are the body side 
moldings. They aren't very effective, I've seen some bad wrecks. Don't 
feel bad though,
except SAAB, there aren't any cars with good side impact protection.<

Harrison:  The side impact beams are beams UNDER the body side moldings.  
The way your response is worded leads one to think that 1/2" of plastic 
is all the protection you get in an Audi.  I've seen some Audis in the 
boneyard that have held up pretty well to intrusion.  I disagree with 
your statement on cars with side impact protection, as Volvo and Mercedes 
(among others) also have pretty hefty beams in their doors (along with 
enhanced SI protection that utilizes the "B" pillar to offset crash 
energy.), and that's before we talk about advances in side airbag 
technology, including BMW's bag for the head that stretches from the "A" 
to the "B" pillar.

Brian

(P.S. - When I used "spell check" for this note, BMW was called a 
mistake, the suggested correction was - "Bummers!")