Method for damage limitation in the event of an offset frontal collision, and motor vehicle having an apparatus which serves for this purpose

A motor vehicle comprising an apparatus for damage limitation in the event of an offset frontal collision, wherein the motor vehicle has a steering apparatus (13, 14, 15, 16) which is associated with the front wheels (9, 10), at least one reversible actuator (17;

• 17′, 17″) with a very fast-acting power source is provided in the steering apparatus (13, 14, 15, 16) and influences the turning of the steerable wheels (9, 10) via connecting elements (15′, 15″) such that the wheels (9, 10) can be turned both in opposite directions from an initial position and at least one wheel (9) can be moved back to the initial position, the apparatus comprising means for generating a first signal for signalling an imminent collision and triggering the steerable front wheels (9, 10) to turn inward in opposite directions, first means for sensing that no collision has taken place within a certain time after the first signal, second means for generating a second signal for signalling that a collision has actually occurred, wherein at least one of the steerable wheels is very quickly moved back to the initial position upon a signal from either the first means or the second means.