In the E-Class, a host of safety systems work in unison to help prevent accidents. However, should the worst come to the worst, occupant safety measures come into play, providing protection for both the occupants and other road users. Occupant protection comes in the form of a high-strength safety passenger cell, standard-fit adaptive front airbags which are deployed in two stages in accordance with the severity of the impact. Furthermore, sidebags in the front seat backrests and windowbags are also on board. The driver’s kneebag can help reduce the driver’s risk of injury in an accident even further.
Then there are the NECK-PRO crash-responsive head restraints for the driver and front passenger: in the event of a rear-end collision above a certain severity, pre-loaded springs push the head restraints by around 56 millimetres forwards and 23 millimetres upwards at lightning speed to support the heads of the front occupants at an earlier stage. This can reduce the risk of whiplash injuries considerably.
The standard active bonnet is a safety feature for the protection for other road users and helps reduce the risk of injury to pedestrians and cyclists. In the event of a collision the rear section of the active bonnet rises up by five centimetres using spring force. This can produce additional deformation space to absorb the impact and can prevent serious injury.