At the beginning of June, Britax invited me and a handful of other bloggers down to their factory to learn more about their product line. One of the most impressive things I saw there was the next generation of convertible car seats, announced at the end of June.
The video really says it all:
The key here is preventing head injury. Britax has designed this new generation of car seats with an eye to reducing “head excursion”, the distance the head travels forward during the crash. There are three ways to do this: design better seats; make it easier for care givers to install those seats; and to educate care givers about the importance of proper use of the seats, including the use of the tether. Britax told us about their efforts on all fronts.
A quick rundown on some of the new technology Britax is offering:
- “Superior 360 Degree Protection with Revolutionary Head Safety Technology” that dramatically reduces the risk of head injury and provides complete protection from all sides in the event of a vehicle crash.
- A re-engineered lower center of gravity that allows the child to sit lower and creates stability in the event of a crash.
- Integrated steel bars that strengthen the connection to the vehicle and reduce forward flexing of the child seat during a crash.
- Patent-pending Britax SafeCell™ Technology with SafeCells that are designed to compress in a crash. This significantly lowers the center of gravity and counteracts the forward rotation of the child seat, which normally propels the child toward the front seat.
- Energy-Absorbing Versa-Tether® with a two-point attachment and staged-release tether webbing to anchor the top of the car seat. This minimizes forward-rotation and reduces crash forces reaching the child.
- Deeper side walls lined with energy-absorbing EPP foam that distribute crash forces, shield from vehicle intrusion, and contain the head, neck and body.
- Higher weight capacities to keep children rear facing longer and to allow for extended use of a five-point harness.
The revamped line includes the Roundabout 55 (SRP: $199.99), Marathon 70 (SRP: $279.99), Boulevard 70 (SRP: $309.99), Boulevard 70 CS (SRP: $329.99) and Advocate 70 CS (SRP: $369.99). They will be available in a variety of fashions at independent and mass retailers in August 2010.
I will be bringing you a full review of the Advocate 70 CS in late August.
Disclosure: My daughter’s first convertible car seat, purchased with my own money, was a Britax. Since then, I have worked with Britax on several reviews of car seats on this and other sites. As of June 2010, I am a member of the Britax Blogger Advisory Board. Britax paid my travel expenses so that I could tour the factory in June 2010 but I do not receive any monetary compensation from Britax. My opinions are always my own.
