Mercedes-Benz E Class leads the way
While it is 50 years since the seat belt first appeared, it is obvious that the only resistance to more widespread use of available technologies is cost. While some mainstream companies - namely Hyundai - lead the broadbrush introduction of electronic stability control across its model range, it is the premium end of the market that is leading the safety race, developing and now incorporating an awesome array of safety items to assist and protect a vehicle's occupants.
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a perfect example of delivering an armory of passive and active safety features. Its passive safety arsenal is vast. Examples include use of aluminium and steel alloy structures specifically designed to channel loads in an accident impact, the Pre-safe anticipatory occupant protection system, nine airbags, and four seatbelt pre-tensioners as standard. Active safety features are extensive and sees innovative technologies appearing for the first time.
These include:
_ ATTENTION ASSIST driver fatigue detection system. Drowsiness is one of the most common causes of accidents on highways. This is why Mercedes developed the ATTENTION ASSIST system which forms part of the standard equipment of the new E-Class coupé. As the vehicle is being driven, the system continuously evaluates more than 70 different parameters in order to identify driver drowsiness and provide a warning before the dangerous micro sleep phase begins.
_ PRE SAFE - anticipatory occupant protection system. If there is an immediate danger of an accident occurring, the system activates protective measures for the driver and front passenger as a precaution so that the seat belts and airbags can provide their full protective effect on impact. This warning of an impending accident is possible because Pre-Safe uses the sensors of the Brake Assist system and the Electronic Stability Program to identify potentially critical dynamic handling situations.
_ INTELLIGENT LIGHT SYSTEM - Adaptive Main Beam Assist for the best possible road illumination. Like the sedan, the new E-Class coupé also offers the latest lighting technology. The headlamps adjust continuously to the current driving situation and react automatically to offer the driver the best possible degree of road illumination at all times. This task is taken care of by the Adaptive Main Beam Assist function: a camera fitted on the inside of the windscreen allows the system to detect oncoming vehicles/vehicles in front and automatically controls the headlamps to prevent the other road users from being dazzled. As a result, the range of the dipped-beam headlamps can increase from the current norm of 65 metres to as much as 300 metres. If the road ahead is clear, the system performs a gradual transition to high-beam mode.
_ Automatic emergency braking. The proven assistance systems from the S-Class which help to prevent rear-end collisions are now available for the E-Class coupé, too. They use long and short range radar sensors to monitor the traffic situation ahead of the vehicle and warn the driver if there is a risk of an accident. Mercedes-Benz combines these technologies in the DISTRONIC PLUS system; along with the proximity control system - which automatically maintains the coupé at a set distance from the vehicle in front and can brake it to a standstill if required by the traffic situation - this comprises Brake Assist PLUS and the Pre-Safe Brake. Brake Assist PLUS intervenes if there is suddenly a very rapid reduction in the distance to the vehicle in front. In this situation, the system warns the driver and almost instantaneously calculates the degree of braking assistance necessary to prevent a collision. This brake force is available immediately the driver depresses the brake pedal. Depending on the speed and distance, it allows controlled braking to a defined point or - if necessary - emergency braking.
The Pre-Safe Brake goes a step further and automatically brakes the E-Class if there is imminent danger of a collision and the driver does not react to the warnings. This can reduce the severity of an impact considerably, as the system can be regarded as something like an "electronic crumple zone" which offers the occupants an even greater degree of safety.
Source: JUST CARS, October 2009, Collectors Issue #164
