S-Class Makeover

Press Release

PRE-SAFE ushers in a new era of passenger car safety Mercedes-Benz has further perfected the exemplary safety technology at the heart of the S-Class by introducing PRE-SAFE, the new occupant protection system with foresight. The Stuttgart manufacturer has notched up another first by unveiling this innovative system that can recognise the threat of an accident in advance and initiate preventive protection measures to deal with the situation in hand. As a new era in passenger car safety dawns, the S-Class therefore continues to set the standards. Preventive occupant protection features on board the top-of-the-range Mercedes model include seat belts that can be tensioned within a split second so as to ensure that the driver and the front passenger are in the best possible sitting position before a crash occurs, enabling optimum deployment of the airbags upon impact. At the same time, PRE-SAFE moves the front passenger seat and the electrically adjustable individual seats for the rear passengers into their optimum positions and closes the sunroof automatically when the vehicle begins to skid. This new safety concept is based on the findings of Mercedes accident research, which indicate that, in about two thirds of all road accidents, there is a relatively long period of time between the moment an imminent collision is detected and the moment the collision actually occurs. In future Mercedes-Benz will use this research to implement preventive protection measures, which can further reduce the risk of injury to vehicle occupants. The model year 2003 S-Class marks the first venture into the realms of this leading edge, future-compatible safety concept. In order to detect a collision in advance, PRE-SAFE uses sensors in the ESP???????????????????? Electronic Stability Program and the Brake Assist system, which warn against critical situations. The system components are reversible: for instance, if the collision is avoided at the last moment, the preventive belt tensioners are released automatically so that the occupants can reset the seats and sunroof to their original positions. PRE-SAFE is then ready to spring into action again immediately if called upon. Optional 4MATIC four-wheel drive for six and eight-cylinder models From the autumn of 2002, the S-Class will bring a completely new meaning to active safety and traction with its electronically controlled 4MATIC system. This permanent four-wheel drive system is available as an option for the six and eight-cylinder petrol models. Whether it be on ice, snow or slippery cobblestones, in the wet or on other poor road surfaces, 4MATIC not only ensures renowned Mercedes ride comfort, it also provides even greater traction and, by interacting with ESP????????????????????, helps the driver negotiate critical situations safely and with consummate ease.