C-Class Gets Five Stars in European NCAP Test

Press Release

• Innovative safety concept based on research into real-life accidents
• Adaptive airbags, sidebags and windowbags as standard
• SLK-Class Roadster achieves top rating for open-top cars

Stuttgart -- The Mercedes-Benz C-Class offers the highest degree of safety in its market segment. This was confirmed once again by the latest European NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) tests, in which the successful Mercedes model achieved an outstanding score. As a result, the European NCAP Organisation awarded the C-Class its top rating of five stars. At present only two cars worldwide have achieved this exceptional rating. "The high rating endorses the innovative concept behind the C-Class, which is based on the latest accident research data and therefore offers the highest level of occupant protection, tailored to the realities of everyday traffic conditions," states Dr Hans-Joachim Sch??????????????????pf, Head of Development for Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars, Maybach and smart. The standard safety equipment on board the C-Class includes adaptive driver and front passenger airbags, which deploy in two stages according to the severity of the accident, sidebags and windowbags, belt tensioners, belt force limiters, automatic child seat recognition and now also an enhanced seat belt reminder feature. The front end of the Mercedes saloon, too, features a structure that takes into account what actually happens in a real accident, with a three-stage protection system which is activated according to the severity of the impact. The system means that the C-Class offers the best possible occupant protection in the most common types of collision, which occur in the mid-speed range. SLK-Class: four-star rating for exemplary safety In addition to the C-Class, the Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Roadster also passed the European NCAP crash tests with flying colours. It was awarded four stars, an outstanding rating for an open-top car, confirming yet again that the SLK-Class is also one of the safest cars in its category.