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New chassis 25 percent stiffer than previous Three
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| SAFETY AND SECURITY RATING: |
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The 2005 3-Series - with a bodyshell some 25 percent stiffer than that of its predecessor - has achieved the full five stars for occupant protection in the Euro NCAP crash tests, plus four for child protection, though it only scored one for pedestrian safety. Benefiting those on the inside, at least, six airbags are standard fit, including head 'bags for front and rear occupants. BMW also claims that it is one of the first cars in the world to be prepared for the tough new side and rear impact requirements in North America.
Other safety measures include, for the first time on a 3-Series, Brake Force Display for the brake lights. In the event of an emergency stop, or when the anti-lock brakes are activated, a larger area of the brake light is illuminated to provide extra warning to following traffic. Other active measures include Brake Standby, which claims to shorten stopping distances by priming the brakes if the driver lifts off the accelerator sharply. And in the Rain Brake Support system improves wet brake performance by occasionally gently pulsing the brakes to prevent water from building up on the brake discs. For safer getaways on hills, Hill Start Assist allows manual transmission cars to pull away smoothly by maintaining brake pressure for a brief time. It works well, too.
For those press-on drivers, there is also Fading Compensation, which applies additional braking pressure when the brakes get very hot, a situation that can provoke fading brake efficiency.
For those cars equipped with Active Steering, the system works in conjunction with the stability control program. If, for example, the system detects oversteer (back of car trying to swap ends with the front), it will apply a bit of positive steering angle to bring the car back into line.
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