Curtains for Corsa, Astra and Zafira

VAUXHALL will be offering full-size curtain airbags across all Corsa, Astra and Zafira models from the autumn. Priced about £150, the airbags are intended to protect occupants from side impacts and the risk of shattering glass.

Nick Reilly, Vauxhall managing director and chairman, said: 'The decision to introduce curtain airbags into our best selling models first is part of our strategy of making practical, modern technology available to as many customers as possible at affordable prices.'

Fitted into the length of the headliner above the doors, the airbags inflate in 25-30 milliseconds. In tests using Euro NCAP criteria, the curtain reduces head injury risk by 90%.