The Mercedes M-class has won the top crash safety rating with five stars from the respected Euro NCAP testing agency. The M-class is equipped with six airbags, belt tighteners, belt force limiters and crash-responsive NECK-PRO headrests, as well as the PRE-SAFE passenger safety system which helped it to achieve a top rating.
Mercedes’ PRE-SAFE passenger protection system uses the driver’s braking and steering behaviour to recognise critical situations and can then deploy preventive safety measures before an accident occurs. It activates the reversible belt tighteners, closes the side windows and optional sliding-tilting sunroof and alters the front passenger’s seating position.
During tests, analysing the effect of PRE-SAFE in the M-class, there was a 40 per cent reduction in forces to the neck and head of passengers, with the reversible belt tighteners (which use electric motors) playing a key role. If an accident is prevented the belts loosen; however if an accident does occur, the M-class safeguards passengers with its airbags, pyrotechnic belt tighteners (for the front and outer rear seats) and belt force limiters (for the front and outer rear seats) that protect occupants, in combination with the robust passenger cell.
Euro NCAP is the European New Car Assessment Programme. Its tests (front impact with 40 per cent offset, side barrier and pillar impact) cover common types of car accidents.
