UpFront: Pack Your (Air) Bags

From the July/August 2023 issue of Car and Driver.

John W. Hetrick, an engineer from Pennsylvania, patented the airbag back in 1953. While suppliers and automakers experimented with airbags in the ’60s and ’70s, they didn’t become widely available until the ’80s and weren’t federally mandated until 1998. These days, one might find 10 or more airbags in a car, from side curtain to knee bolster, but virtually all early bags were housed in the steering wheel. Packaging those first bags necessitated chunky “lunchbox” center sections, devoid of the chrome and wood found on nonbagged wheels. One can safely guess a car’s era just by the look of those rubbery, boxy steering wheels.

Over time, the hardware got smaller, the systems became safer, and steering wheels regained some style with nicer materials and emblems that don’t pop off during airbag deployment. More sophisticated for sure, although some of us get a little nostalgic for lunchboxes.

2023 BMW 5-Series

Part Numbers: 32-30-8-008-186 (wheel), 32-30-8-097-022 (airbag)
Diameter: 14.5 inches
Features: Adjustable rake and reach; controls for audio, Bluetooth, and driver-assistance systems; optional heat
Cost (wheel plus airbag): $3300

1990 BMW 5-Series

Part Numbers: 32-34-1-159-786 (wheel), 32-34-1-161-756 (airbag)
Diameter: 15.5 inches
Features: It turns and tilts; there’s also a horn
Cost (wheel plus airbag): $320 on eBay

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1989–95 BMW 5-Series

The E34 was highly regarded for its handsome design and inspired handling, the M5 especially so. This generation introduced to the 5-series lineup a wagon body style, all-wheel drive (in Europe), and a V-8 engine. The E34 5-series was also one of the first BMWs to have a standard driver’s airbag.

2017–23 BMW 5-Series

Larger than its predecessor but rife with creature comforts, the G30 5-series has an impressive list of advanced driver-assistance systems. Under the right conditions, the car can even accelerate, steer, and brake on its own. Standard front, side, and curtain air-bags offer supplemental protection for all occupants.