[SCOTT26]

In modern cars the front end - The nose cone is constructed of thermoplastic, with the bonnet area in either steel or aluminium.
In an impact the regular point of impact is tested and found to be in the direct area of the nose which disintegrates on impact allowing physical damage to the person to be not as severe as say the days of the typical BMW grille attached to the bonnet.

All BMW models except for the higher X vehicles* will now receive the same mediums in front impact protection.
There will never be a grille attached to a bonnet again, so do not get your expectations high.

X3 and X5 have higher front ends and a lower impact point.