Abstract: An impact damper as a connecting member between a bumper and a chassis of a motor vehicle for the purpose of damping the shock loading during a collision between this motor vehicle and an obstacle, comprising an inner tube which can be displaced telescopically inside an outer tube, thereby changing the volume of pressurized gas spaces. The first gas space and the second gas space have a common pressure, which is dimensioned such that optimum damping is provided for a collision between the motor vehicle and a pedestrian. It is being possible for a deformation element to be displaced as well to absorb high forces through deformation work.