Delphi pyrotechnic steering column.

For 2005, the Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car will be fitted with active energy-absorbing steering columns from Delphi that can absorb up to 20% of the driver's energy during a collision. The steering column, which utilizes a pyrotechnic actuator to vary the collapse rate, adjusts its response based on driver weight and size, seat belt use, vehicle speed and crash severity. A high-collapse load setting is used for a large, unbelted driver in a severe collision, while the collapse load is lowered for a small, belted driver in a minor accident. In addition, these Ford vehicles also will be fitted with a Delphi flexible steering coupling to reduce noise and vibration transmission between the column and steering gear, and a fine-increment tilt mechanism. Delphi says the new steering column was designed to help DEMs more easily comply with revisions to the FMV55 208 safety standard that increase front crash testing requirements to include drivers of all sizes in offset collisions conducted at increased speeds.