Toyota has developed a rear-window air bag to upgrade protection for backseat passengers. The air bag will debut in the car manufacturer’s new microcar, the iQ, which industry reports say will likely be available in the United States in 2010. The iQ is set to be sold in Europe and Japan in 2009, and Toyota estimates it will sell around 100,000 of them.
In the event of a rear-end collision, the air bag, which Toyota says is the first of its kind, is ejected from the roof lining above the rear window and spreads like a curtain to protect the heads of the rear passengers.
Toyota said the iQ will be able to carry three adults, plus one child or luggage. The company hasn’t confirmed what type of engine the car will have, but some experts
have predicted that it will have a 4-cylinder engine similar to that of the
subcompact Toyota Yaris. What is known is that the engine will be front-mounted, and the car will feature front-wheel drive.
As part of an effort to attract buyers, Toyota has tried to make side air bags and shield air bags standard features, and has said it plans to increase efforts to develop safer vehicles and technologies that can ultimately eliminate traffic casualties.
