The XK's hood-popping system uses an elaborate system of sensors
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| Sensor strip across XK's grille triggers the pop-up hood. (Photo: Jaguar Canada) |
and pyrotechnics to achieve its goal. In the unfortunate event of a pedestrian impact, a sensor mounted in the front bumper instantly sends a signal to fire a charge that causes the edge of the front-hinged hood closest to the windshield's base to spring up by a couple of inches. This extra space between the hood and the engine provides crucial space to lessen the severity of impact. Like an airbag, or a pretensioning seatbelt, the Pyrotechnic Deployable Bonnet is extremely fast acting: the system actuates in one-tenth of a second, a speed ten times faster than the blink of an eye.
Aside
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| The Honda Legend (Acura RL) also benefits from a similar version of this system. (Photo: Acura Canada) |
from making designers, and automotive enthusiasts happy, quite a few others have taken note of Jaguar's innovative system. Because of this system, Jaguar was able to take home the 2006 World Traffic Safety Symposium's Traffic Safety Achievement Award, in the Automotive Field. Chris Sams, spokesperson for the WTSS said: "Jaguar deserves this honour for its commitment to pedestrian safety and for its innovation and technical excellence. The judges were particularly impressed by the far-reaching, comprehensive nature of the Jaguar system."
Jaguar isn't the only automaker to fit a hood-lifting device; shortly after
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Honda's system in action. (Photo: Acura Canada)
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its announcement, Honda followed in suit, announcing their variation of the system for the Legend premium luxury sedan (Acura RL in North America). Starting this year, Honda, another leader in pedestrian collision safety, will add the pop-up hood as standard equipment. An innovation such as this won't be left as an exclusive for much longer - many automakers will soon develop their own variants, allowing for safer but still beautiful automobiles.
