New Mercedes-Benz S-Class Thinking ahead

Press Release

New Mercedes S-Class Unveiled - UPDATED June 20, 2005

The trend-setting S-Class: Mercedes top of the range model will have Brake Assist PLUS and second-generation PRE-SAFE®

The PRE-SAFE® preventive occupant protection system is becoming even more effective. In the future S-Class, which will celebrate its world premiere in autumn of 2005, Mercedes-Benz is combining PRE-SAFE® with the new anticipatory Brake Assist PLUS, which uses radar to detect vehicles up ahead on the road and issues a warning when the vehicles come too close. When there is the risk of an accident, the system calculates in the blink of an eye the required braking power, which is immediately supplied when the driver applies the brakes. In critical braking situations, the front seatbelts are also tightened as a preventive measure, while the inflatable seat cushions are pumped up and the seats are brought into a position that provides the vehicle's occupants with maximum protection in the event of a collision, in keeping with the PRE-SAFE® concept.

Thanks to the anticipatory Brake Assist PLUS, the number of dangerous rear-end collisions can be significantly reduced. In tests conducted with 100 drivers in DaimlerChrysler Research's driving simulator, the new system made it possible to reduce the number of accidents in typical situations from 44 per cent to 11 per cent on average. What's more, the combination of the new Brake Assist PLUS and PRE-SAFE® made possible a higher level of occupant protection. Mercedes-Benz is the first and only automaker in the world to offer such a comprehensive safety system, which goes into action before a threatening accident has a chance to happen.

The anticipatory Brake Assist PLUS (BAS PLUS) uses two radar systems to scan the traffic in front of the vehicle: The DISTRONIC radar (77 GHz) is supplemented by a newly developed short-range radar (24 GHz), which monitors the immediate area in front of the vehicle at an angle of 80 degrees. The radar beams have a range of 150 metres, which means that vehicles up ahead can be detected in time. If a safe distance is no longer maintained, the system uses the radar data to calculate the braking power needed in each driving situation to prevent a possible accident. By applying the brake pedal, drivers can immediately summon this braking force, thus ensuring an optimal braking effect when there is a risk of an accident.

PRE-SAFE®: Inflatable seat cushions for an even higher level of occupant safety

The preventive PRE-SAFE® occupant protection system, which also has been enhanced by Mercedes-Benz, automatically switches on if the braking deceleration exceeds a certain level. In addition to tried-and-tested PRE-SAFE® functions such as seatbelt tightening and seat repositioning, the future S-Class will also be equipped with new multi-contour seats with cushions and backrests that automatically inflate if an accident threatens. These cushions envelop the occupants and support them, increasing the distance from the interior door panels during an accident. This enables the sidebag to provide even greater protection. Additionally, the individual rear seats are equipped with inflatable PRE-SAFE® support cushions in the backrests.

What's more, Mercedes-Benz is also integrating side windows into the preventive protection system. The windows automatically close in the event of a possible accident, to ensure optimal support for the windowbag during a side collision or rollover. The closed side windows also reduce the risk of occupants being thrown from the vehicle or objects flying into the car from outside.

Test results: Number of accidents reduced by 75 per cent

Mercedes-Benz has thoroughly tested the effectiveness of the anticipatory Brake Assist PLUS. The practical tests, conducted in Europe and the U.S., involved more than 200 drivers who drove 24 test vehicles over a total distance of more than 400,000 kilometres. Recording the tests with data recorders and video cameras made it possible to precisely analyse BAS functions. The new system greatly improved driving safety.

Mercedes-Benz also conducted several months of testing at DaimlerChrysler Research's driving simulator in Berlin. Each of the 100 drivers who took part completed a 40 minute drive and were confronted with a number of critical situations on motorways and rural roads, whereby intense emergency braking manoeuvres were the only way to prevent an accident.

Thanks to the new Brake Assist PLUS, the accident rate in these tests was reduced by 75 per cent � from 44 per cent to 11 per cent. The new technology was especially impressive during a drive in heavy traffic at 80 km/h on a rural road. In instances where the car in front braked suddenly, there were no accidents in 93 per cent of all cases in which the radar-supported Brake Assist was used; without this system, rear-end collisions occurred in around half of all tests.

"PRO-SAFE": the 5P concept for the highest level of automotive safety

With the anticipatory Brake Assist and the second-generation PRE-SAFE®, Mercedes-Benz is highlighting its role as the pacesetter in the field of passenger car safety while demonstrating once again that the brand sees safety as a holistic task � ranging from electronic assistance systems for accident prevention to occupant protection that's tuned to an accident's severity and measures serving to ensure the fastest possible rescue of occupants following a collision.

"PRO-SAFE" is the overarching term for this tried-and-tested principle for passenger car safety, which is geared toward actual driving situations. It is based on the Mercedes-Benz brand's many years of successful commitment to greater driving safety and is carrying on this tradition in four phases:

• PERFORM-SAFE: Safe driving; recognizing dangerous situations on the road early on and warning drivers of these conditions. Standard equipment systems in Mercedes passenger cars, including ABS, Brake Assist, ASR and ESP®, serve to assist the driver in critical moments.

• PRE-SAFE®: Reacting in preventive manner to possible danger.

• PASSIVE-SAFE: Providing accident protection adjusted to given situations, by using intelligently designed bodies with large impact zones, for example, and effective restraint systems including two-stage front airbags and belt force limiters, seat-belt tensioners, sidebags and windowbags.

• POST-SAFE: Preventing serious injury and ensuring the rapid rescue of vehicle occupants after an accident has occurred.