Sorry if this has already been discussed, but...

I was just flipping through a Car & Driver (or Road & Track or some similar mag) and caught a brief blurb on a new safety requirement proposed in Europe. Apparently they're looking to mandate a 4" clearance between the hood and any components underneath (read: intake, air filter housing, battery, etc...) so as to lessen the harshness in a collision with a pedestrian. A 4" "crumple zone," in effect.

I'd imagine that, in enacted, this would drastically alter the design of new cars in Europe and, consequently, the US, as so many designs here are influenced (out of fashion or necessity) by cars from across the pond.

Of course, there's always the retrofit 4" cowl hood like so many of my 5.0 Mustang brethren sport... but I somehow doubt it would really "fit" in a Benz!

Thoughts?

Chris

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1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)