Virtually no other area inspires the Mercedes-Benz engineers to produce such consistently impressive results as much as research into new safety technologies. The first important safety milestone was reached back in the 1950s with the development of the passenger safety cell, invented by Béla Barényi. Today it is just one of many components of the Integral Safety Concept which edges Mercedes-Benz vehicles ever closer to our vision of accident-free driving.
The majority of accidents start long before the actual collision: with a lapse in concentration, poor visibility or hazards which cannot be anticipated. That's why the Mercedes-Benz safety concept employs a range of measures to support stress-free driving in everyday operation and to help you bring critical situations under control.
DISTRONIC PLUS proximity control (optional)[1] DISTRONIC PLUS proximity control helps the driver to maintain a specified (timed) distance from the vehicle ahead when travelling at speeds of 0 to 200 km/h. |
|
Adaptive brake lights, flashing In emergency or panic braking, specific criteria such as brake pressure or road speed trigger the activation of the adaptive brake lights. When activated, the brake lights flash to give drivers behind even better warning of the risk of a rear-end collision. Studies have shown that drivers' brake-activation response times are shortened by up to 0.2 seconds when emergency braking is indicated by a flashing red warning signal instead of conventional brake lights. At a speed of 80 km/h this translates into a stopping distance shortened by about 4.40 metres. The brake lamps flash at a frequency of about 3 Hertz (if equipped with incandescent bulbs) or about 5 Hertz (if equipped with LEDs). This frequency range has proved itself to be especially effective in tests.
{C}
|
|
Active Parking Assist, including PARKTRONIC (optional) Active Parking Assist makes a major contribution to safe and comfortable driving. It helps the driver to find a suitable parking space - either parallel on a road or at 90 degrees into a car park space - and helps him to park by actively steering the vehicle. The integrated PARKTRONIC can warn drivers if there are hidden obstacles in front of the car or behind. Active Parking Assist uses two ultrasound sensors in the front bumper to identify suitable parking spaces when the vehicle is travelling at a speed of up to 35 km/h. The automatic parking space search function is indicated by a "P" symbol in the instrument cluster. If Active Parking Assist has found a parking space, an arrow appears next to the "P". By default, Active Parking Assist searches for parking spaces on the right-hand side of the road. If the indicator on the driver's side is active, parking spaces on the left-hand side are also detected {C}
|
|
ATTENTION ASSIST The ATTENTION ASSIST function is particularly helpful on long journeys and when driving at night; the system warns the driver if it detects signs of failing attention and increasing weariness. This driving assistance system can warn the driver when it identifies typical signs of fatigue, which in turn improves handling safety. ATTENTION ASSIST continuously analyses driving behaviour and steering movements. If the system detects certain steering patterns that frequently accompany drowsiness, it warns the driver visually by displaying the "coffee cup" symbol in the instrument cluster at the same time as emitting audible signals. ATTENTION ASSIST can be activated and deactivated in the main menu of the instrument cluster under "Assistance systems". When switched on, it is active at speeds between 80 and 180 km/h. |
|
Bi-xenon headlamps (optional) The bi-xenon headlamps are a further development of the well-known xenon headlamps, offering xenon technology for both low and high-beam. LED technology is used both for the daytime running lamps integrated in the headlamps and for the bicolour tail lamps.
|
|
ADAPTIVE BRAKE system with HOLD function, brake drying function and Hill-Start Assist The standard ADAPTIVE BRAKE system improves driving comfort and safety. On the one hand it helps with braking in critical situations - within the limits of physics - using the basic ABS anti-lock braking system function; on the other, convenience functions support the driver in day-to-day driving situations.
|
|
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST collision warning including Adaptive Brake Assist Too small of a gap between vehicles is the main cause of severe accidents. The newly developed radar-based collision warning system COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST can improve safety and ride comfort by warning drivers when the gap to preceding vehicles is too small and can support the driver’s braking when it detects danger. When travelling at speeds of more than 7 km/h, the system can recognise insufficient gaps between the vehicle and vehicles ahead. |
|
Electronic Stability Program ESP® In critical situations, the Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) can help to stabilise the vehicle by applying a braking force to individual wheels, and adjusting engine performance. If the ESP® system detects a critical situation, it applies the brakes systematically to one or more wheels according to the situation. Should the system consider it necessary, it will also make an automatic adjustment to engine torque. In this way ESP® helps the driver to stabilise the vehicle within the laws of physics – particularly when cornering and during sudden evasive manoeuvres.
|
|
Headlamp Assist -The headlamp assist system reduces the strain on the driver by automatically switching on low-beam headlamps, tail lamps and number plate illumination when it gets dark outside. The assistance system performs this task even when it’s raining or snowing via a signal from the rain sensor. The Headlamp Assist system uses a light sensor to measure the light level of the surroundings. If light levels fall below a certain level, low-beam headlamps are switched on. If the light intensity of the surroundings rises again, the low-beam headlamps are switched off again. The system ensures the necessary level of illumination for the vehicle at all times, contributes towards handling safety – in particular under rapidly-changing light conditions (e.g. driving into a tunnel or multi-storey car park) – and enhances the driver’s comfort. |
|
Intelligent Light System (optional) The Intelligent Light System – as an active component of the safety concept – ensures the best possible visibility in all weather conditions and the most diverse traffic situations. With oncoming traffic, illuminated road users, on bends, in fog or on free stretches of road, the system adapts to the situation and adjusts the characteristics of the light individually to that situation.
{C}
|
|
Reversing camera (optional) The reversing camera is switched on automatically when reverse gear is engaged. It helps the driver to reverse into parking spaces, both parallel spaces or at 90 degrees. Static and dynamic guide lines show the driver the steering angle and distance. The reversing camera is built into the tailgate handle and monitors the area directly behind the vehicle. Through a new look with digital image transfer and additional electronic zoom functions, an optimum image is ensured in all driving situations. When manoeuvring, the driver can select the "back-in" mode, in which dynamic guide lines indicate the relevant path of the vehicle. |
|
Lane Keeping Assist (optional) The Lane Keeping Assist makes a significant contribution to road traffic safety. It can warn the driver by means of a discreet vibration of the steering-wheel if the vehicle unintentionally leaves its lane, drifting across lane markings that have been registered by the system. If the turn indicator is actuated beforehand or the steering wheel is clearly turned, the system assumes that the lane change is intentional and does not emit a warning. |
|
Blind Spot Assist (optional) Blind Spot Assist helps the driver to avoid potentially critical situations by monitoring the areas to the left and right of the vehicle when changing lanes. If the system detects another vehicle within the monitoring range, a hazard warning triangle lights up in the corresponding exterior mirror. An additional audible warning sounds if the driver now sets the turn indicator to indicate he intends to change lane. |
Mercedes-Benz stands for automotive safety. That's why our vehicles can support their passengers even in critical driving situations, so that every journey is as safe as it can possibly be.
Anti-lock braking system (ABS) |
||
Acceleration skid control (ASR) |
||
PRE-SAFE® occupant protection system (optional) |
||
BAS Brake Assist system with brake force boost if an emergency stop is detected |
Cars from Mercedes-Benz have a host of safety systems to prevent accidents. Should the worst come to the worst, however, a number of occupant safety measures are activated. They include protection for the vehicle occupants as well as for other road users.
Airbags for driver and front passenger |
||
Automatic child seat recognition in front passenger seat (optional) |
||
Pedestrian protection (active bonnet) |
||
ISOFIX child seat attachment points in rear |
||
Kneebag for driver |
||
Sidebags for driver and front passenger (combined thorax/pelvisbags) |
||
Sidebags in the rear, left and right (optional) |
||
Windowbags |
To reduce consequential damage after an accident and support the work of the rescue services, a number of different actions are initiated, depending on the type and severity of the accident. Assisting emergency services after an accident is an important part of the safety philosophy of Mercedes-Benz.
Mercedes-Benz has also published multilingual rescue guidelines (accessible worldwide on the internet) as a source of information for rescue services.
[1] Only available in conjunction with 7G-DCT dual clutch transmission
Fascination
Facts and figures
Advice and purchase