Airbump® is the technology that Citroen has developed to protect the doors of the Citroen C4 cactus. ® pieces are made of thermoplastic polyurethane, a soft touch material and very abrasion resistant that does not emit any smell and enjoys high flexibility.
To develop the Airbump® pieces, more than 30 different formulations were made until the correct composition formed by TPU, by fiberglass and the dye necessary to give each of the four shades in which it is available (black, gray, dune and chocolate).
Each Airbump® carries 15 stagnant air bubbles, with a depth of 20 millimeters, whose function is similar to that of cylindrical defenses that yacht use so as not to hit the bag. The depth of 20 millimeters is not random, is the exact measure to protect the vehicle and does not affect the loudness of the car when driving along the road. The Airbump®, are joined at the doors of the C4 cactus by 16 plastic anchors.
To achieve something that seems so simple, Citroën technicians performed multiple essays. First to find the correct size of each of the alveoli and the full piece, without forgetting the aesthetic dimension: the shape matters as much as the function. In total, more than 3,000 prototype pieces were manufactured, 2,000 of them large format.
To test the first airbump pieces, a Citroën C3 was used, whose doors were covered with an Airbump® technology plate. He repeatedly launched against him, a metallic hypermarket car loaded with 40 kilos. The door also opened hitting metal bollards or against the open door of another vehicle.
However, not only the resistance was taken into account, but it was tried that the new material did not affect the cinematics of opening the doors. Also its assembly in the sheet was a reason for long tests since, as they are exterior parts of the vehicle, they are affected by the weather.
Airbump® technology pieces do not need specific maintenance and also reduce the maintenance and repair costs of the vehicle throughout their lives, small blows and scratches in the sheet are no longer a problem.
