Side airbags in rear compartment – optional extra

[Jonny McCann]

Here in the UK the 'side airbags in the rear outer seat backrests' are an optional extra on the Macan 4 Electric.

Would any contributors to this forum know why this safety feature should be an extra? Apart from the cost, is there any reason not to fit them?

 

[Diego]

Simply: it's not mandatory in EU and UK (I don't know for US). So Porsche let you decide... Not so great for a Premium Brand but that's it.

 

[D00]

Incredible that VW/Audi/Porsche still get away with allowing safety to be a chargeable optional extra.

 

[Dragon Tourniquet]

It's a safety concern if you put a car seat in the back seat. If you get it's generally recommended to only put a car seat in the middle of the back.

 

[Markan 4S]

Why save the small amount if it’s for your children’s safety….
to me it was a no brainer

 

[Dragon Tourniquet]

Why save the small amount if it’s for your children’s safety….
to me it was a no brainer

I think I wasn't clear. Having them is the safety concern if you have small children. It's the same reason you aren't supposed to put a car seat in the front, which is that the airbags are dangerous when combined with car seats.

 

[D00]

In front passenger seats you can switch off the airbag.
The same should be true for rear seats.

 

[Jonny McCann]

Why save the small amount if it’s for your children’s safety….
to me it was a no brainer

Of course you're perfectly correct. I'm surprised that Porsche does not equip the Macan 4 Electric with this safety feature as standard, and wondered if there was a reason (other than generating revenue) for not doing so.

 

[gramorris]

I think I wasn't clear. Having them is the safety concern if you have small children. It's the same reason you aren't supposed to put a car seat in the front, which is that the airbags are dangerous when combined with car seats.

I was told by Porsche that there is no risk to children in car seats from the rear side airbags.

this is completely different to the front airbags where the car seat moves the child closer to the explosive force of the airbag


https://childcarseats.org.uk/choosi...s downward,rear, but provide added protection.

 

[Dragon Tourniquet]

this is completely different to the front airbags where the car seat moves the child closer to the explosive force of the airbag

I'm just going based on what the Audi dealer told me when I ordered my 2012 A6, the Jaguar dealer told me when I ordered my 2019 i-Pace, and the BMW dealer told me when I ordered by 2022 iX. Each time when I spec'ed the car to order they said I shouldn't get it if we had or we're planning to have kids.

Porsche could have done it differently so it isn't a problem, or maybe the dealers were wrong, but it seems odd that 3 different dealerships in 3 different states (I've moved around a lot) would get it wrong.

 

[gramorris]

There’s no guidance in the Taycan manual about not putting car seats in the rear with the side airbags and there is no way to turn them off - unlike the front airbags.

The only guidance there is is that occupants should not lean on the doors and items should not protrude out of the door compartments.

 

[RunningOnSolar]

Simply: it's not mandatory in EU and UK (I don't know for US). So Porsche let you decide... Not so great for a Premium Brand but that's it.

This is standard for US Macans

 

[Alex74]

It is also extra on a Turbo.
on all models