Nissan shows off even more safety developments

For those who value ultra-low insurance premiums, Nissan is quickly making a case to be a front-runner in your next car buying decision. Just days after showing off a concept vehicle with anti-drunk driving technology, the firm is now demonstrating a number of other non-alcoholic safety features including a lane departure prevention system, bumper sensors that release a hinge to lift the engine hood slightly and soften the impact if a pedestrian is hit, and a gas pedal that lifts to warn of possible collisions. Granted, some of these devices are already being implemented on a number of rival automobiles in one form or another, but Nissan will reportedly be installing the aforementioned features into its vehicles within the next year or so, and yes, that includes vehicles destined for the US.

[DickHardknocks @ Aug 7th 2007 12:03AM]

If you wanna stop drunk driving then make the laws DRACONIAN.

#1 Your license WILL be revoked PERMANENTLY. You'll be on public transportation for the rest of your LIFE.

#2 You'll serve no fewer than 5 years in jail...even if you are Paris Hilton.

[strider_mt2k @ Aug 7th 2007 9:42AM]

Feed 'em to the organ banks.

[DickHardknocks @ Aug 7th 2007 12:07AM]

I am waiting for the day a comprehensive system is placed in automobiles that can prevent DWI and DUI.

Moreover, I'm impressed with systems like the one in my Benz - DISTRONIC - which is a computer controlled distance regulator that keeps your car's distance from the one behind you and the one in front via radar.

Too many people die every year in America from drunk driving and its saddening but what bothers me is that the law can be so easily ignored until someone is killed and the drunk drivers usually get off light despite having ruined the lives of a family who's member they've killed.

[Othello @ Aug 7th 2007 12:13AM]

Why is everything in italics suddenly? I find this irritating.

[LordFarkward @ Aug 7th 2007 12:17AM]

i think nissan will tell u not to drive now...

[Othello @ Aug 7th 2007 1:55AM]

Nevermind, my fonts were corrupted.

[Trevor Clark @ Aug 7th 2007 12:14AM]

Volvo for LIFE!!!

[Revrant2394 @ Aug 7th 2007 12:58AM]

Soften the impact for the pedestrian?!

Oh no, Lindsay will have witnesses now.

[Chuckles McGee @ Aug 7th 2007 1:25AM]

No, no, soften the impact for the driver when hitting pedestrians. Lifting the engine hood slightly during impact means the pedestrian will go flying over your windshield, ensuring your field of vision remains unobscured during your next rampage.

[SneezyPorcupine @ Aug 7th 2007 1:23AM]

Its certainly not new.

I just purchased a 2008 Nissan Ultima 3.5SE just over 2 weeks ago and a couple of these features that are listed in the article are in there...sadly i didnt even know about them till recently.

I live in Canada and given our long weekend I took a trip to Kelowna, and during the six hour drive I became aware of the lane departure warning and also the gas pedal push-back features. If you are accelerating towards a red light with a car in front of you, the gas pedal begins to push back and your breaking force also becomes much more prominent.

The only problem with Nissan's new cars is the CVT (continuously Variable Transmission), which, don't get me wrong, is very very nice however having converted to this car from driving a manual and an automatic from time to time its hard to adjust because you cannot tell when the car is shifting gears and thus you speed up much faster than expected.

I constantly catch myself going 50 in playground/school/construction zones...

[Juaquin @ Aug 7th 2007 4:07AM]

"its hard to adjust because you cannot tell when the car is shifting gears and thus you speed up much faster than expected"

Well there's your problem - there are no gears. It's a continuous system, that changes continuously.

I'm a little sad about this. What ever happened to driving a car? I wish everyone had to drive manuals - it would force people to be more aware of what's going on and to have more respect for driving.

[SneezyPorcupine @ Aug 7th 2007 5:48AM]

Amen!

Thank god it at least has a manual mode...thats all i use now...and since there literally is no gear box, its still hard to tell when using manual mode, however at least u can feel the kick of the engine when driving it in manual cuz lets face it, cant have perfect manual shifting.

But Nissan's are definitely really fun to drive. I test drove the 350z just for shits and man does that thing go. But if sumone is gonna spend the money they are waaay better off getting the Infiniti G35 coupe rather than a 350z.

Another thing that takes a little getting used to with the new Nissan/Infinitis' is the push button ignition. Cant tell you how many times i've left the keys in the car now cuz u dunt need them to start it...but its a sure way to make theft easier.

[Mr. Yetti @ Aug 7th 2007 9:14AM]

Welcome to why I so love my motorcycle. It's an old 400cc w/ (for whatever reason) a 6-speed, so I'm constantly required to keep my attention riveted on all things related to the drive. One -rides- in a car and one -drives- a motorcycle. It takes a special kind of idiot to get in the saddle and ignore the road, but the car makes 'road-ADD' a near inevitability.

[Gopinath @ Aug 7th 2007 8:04AM]

"concept vehicle with anti-drunk driving technology"?? Is a going to sense that drive is drunk?? Itz funny

[uberfu @ Aug 7th 2007 9:12AM]

Great all I have to do is hit the hood in the right spot and hrad enough and I can get into the engine bay easier_ Thanks Nissan_ [hint hint - mafia bombs]

[Dahk @ Aug 7th 2007 9:25AM]

This lifting-hood concept has already been well demonstrated from Jaguar, who actually brought the concept to fruition first I believe.

Other brands such as Renault and a few others in the UK have had softer hoods implemented as well which helps in case a pedestrian flops on top lol.

But yeah, this is all in a collaborative effort to be come more "pedestrian safe".

[sinhumane @ Aug 7th 2007 11:49AM]

yeah... that hood pops up and then what? if the impact is enough, you have only your windshield standing between the cowl side of the hood and you.... essentialy turning your hood into a FRIGGIN GUILLOTINE!

[Chris @ Aug 7th 2007 3:56PM]

This is pretty cool stuff. Although as the article says Nissan are not alone in this space. As has been mentioned Jaguar have this on the new XK I believe. It essentially stops the pedestrians head from hitting the top of the block - still gonna hurt though.