A host of safety systems operate in the E-Class to help prevent accidents. However, should the worst come to the worst, occupant safety measures can come into play, providing protection for both vehicle occupants and other road users. Occupant protection comes in the form of a high-strength safety passenger cell and standard-specification front airbags which can be deployed in two stages to match the severity of the impact. Sidebags and pelvisbags (front seats) and windowbags are also on board. The driver’s kneebag can help further reduce the driver’s risk of injury in an accident. The optional rear safety package offers additional safety for the vehicle rear. It consists of sidebags on the left and right as well as self-adapting belt force limiters.

Then there are the crash-responsive NECK-PRO head restraints for the driver and front passenger. If the system identifies a rear-end collision above a certain severity, pre-loaded springs push the head restraints forwards by around 43 millimetres and 24 millimetres upwards at lightning speed to support the heads of the front occupants at an earlier stage. This can significantly reduce the risk of whiplash injury.

The standard-specification active bonnet[1] (with the exception of the E 63 AMG) is a safety feature for the protection for other road users. It can help reduce the risk of injury to pedestrians and cyclists. If the system detects 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 head and spinal column injury.