Auch in Deutsch verfügbar!

Safety

The Mercedes engineers have always thought ahead in terms of occupant safety, and invented pioneering safety elements for automotive engineering. With the new E-class, we have raised the bar once more. - For even better safety of the occupants - including those of other vehicles involved in a crash - there is a further optimised front-end structure, an improved passenger cell and integrated lateral impact protection system. - The smooth-surfaced contours - without aggressive styling elements - provide greater protection against injuries for more exposed road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists. The bumpers, bonnet and wings have been designed to yield in order to restrict impact stresses to a minimum. - The A, B and C pillars consist of three shells and provide protection in the event of a lateral impact. In the case of a rear impact, the improved tail-end structure protects the passenger cell and the tank. This is achieved on the one hand by the box-shaped sections of the rear side members, and on the other by the transverse rigidity of the high-strength cross-members in the understructure, the tunnel cross members, and the bulkhead-type plates in the door sills. Due to the improved rear structure, considerably less damage is caused than previously in the event of a rear collision at speeds of up to 15 km/h with 40% overlap - often it is unnecessary to exchange the wings or the moulding for the spare wheel recess. - Newly positioned and partially redesigned side, cross and forked members have allowed the creation of larger deformation zones and provide improved occupant safety. - Side airbags, known as sidebags, are available for the first time as an optional extra in the new E-class. They are located above the armrests in the front doors. - Included in standard specifications for the first time are belt force limiters, which, together with the belt tensioners and airbags, form an optimally balanced restraint system. Naturally the new E-class features ABS as standard. Also included in the standard equipment is the Electronic Traction Support system ETS (in the E 420: ASR). The newly developed dynamic handling control system ESP (Electronic Stability Program) is available optionally for the E 420.