Pedestrian Protection Mechanism

[Murph7355]

Zero damage. It's hind leg clipped the front bumper, but obviously not hard enough to crack it.

Crikey.

I'd be asking them how it works and what is meant to trigger it.

A tap that doesn't mark the PU seems very sensitive to me. Unless the deer just happened to hit the exact sensor spot.

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[Perry]

I believe this type of pedestrian protection system is actually mandatory in the EU, so it makes sense that this would also be included in UK models.

I tried to find the exact wording on eur-lex, but they're using such a generic language to describe the different pedestrian protection requirements that it's difficult to get a grip of what they're talking about.

 

[f1eng]

I wanted to understand more about the function of this feature. Found the following description of a supplier's system:

The deployable hood system releases the hood hinges and raises the rear edge of the hood by about 4 in (10 cm). This increases the gap between the hood and the components within the front compartment. It provides additional cushioning in case the pedestrian makes contact with the hood.​

​

Is the "cushioning" provided by lifting the hood/bonnet significant protection?

I had a long discussion about this with Ian Callum (who became chief designer at Jaguar) when we both worked for Tom Walkinshaw. He said it was mainly to prevent head injury of a pedestrian if the engine was very close to the bonnet line by raising it to give a longer distance for deceleration. It was obviously needed in the sporty cars he designed.
I am surprised a Taycan has anything solid enough near the bonnet line to actually need it.

The law also is for any point of impact to be below the pedestrian C of G so that they land on top of the bonnet rather than get run over.

It begs the question how come SUVs and trucks are permitted to drive in populated areas and why “roo bars” are legal in town as well.

 

[Richard.]

I expect this was a simple misunderstanding. Porsche Tonbridge probably thought that you needed an accident repair (i.e. panel damage/paintwork). I am sure they should be able to help.

 

[BigBob]

Just a thought, but maybe porsche assistance could point you in the right direction of a local approved repairer...

 

[whitex]

I wouldn’t class it as a repair. If you had told them it went off randomly they would probably have done it as a warranty issue. So I bet they could do it if they wanted to

The computer will log the reason it fired the hinges, so they will know it was not random.

 

[whitex]

I can't help you but I've never heard of this feature either. Can you share a pic?

I don't think it's available in the US. It's an EU feature.

 

[whitex]

I don't suppose anyone knows a way to disable it entirely so I don't get the warning...?

I'm sure the car could be reprogrammed to think it does not have this feature, since cars in the US. You'd need to get someone with a PIWIS3 programmer who knows how to do it, much like people in the US enabling full matrix adaptive headlights functionality not enabled in the US.

 

[Midlifecrisis]

The computer will log the reason it fired the hinges them, so they will know it was not random.

They would probably replace the “faulty” sensor as well in that case

 

[whitex]

They would probably replace the “faulty” sensor as well in that case

You’d be surprised how much data the cars log. Gone are the days of claiming unintended acceleration, etc. Not all techs from all manufacturers know how to get the info out, but they typicaly have at least one expert who can. Furthermore, governments in EU and NA are looking to mandate black boxes to record even camera footage on any accident triggers (if the car thinks it hit a pedestrian, the recordings get locked in until a shop clears them), some cars already have early versions of that.

 

[Midlifecrisis]

Interesting. My original post was really to suggest that the OPC could help him if they wanted to rather than that he should claim it happened spontaneously

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