Top safety ratings for three model series
Euro NCAP: Top safety ratings for three model series
FIVE STARS
The Mercedes-Benz B-Class, C-Class and M-Class have passed crash tests based on the European NCAP procedure (New Car Assessment Programme) with flying colours.
Topics:
- Five stars for excellent occupant protection
- “Euro NCAP Advanced” awards for the safety innovations PRE-SAFE®, PRE-SAFE® Brake, COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST and ATTENTION ASSIST
- Leading insurance companies grant a discount for the B-Class, as it features COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST
A total of three model series by Mercedes-Benz have passed crash tests based on the European NCAP procedure (New Car Assessment Programme) with flying colours.
The B-Class, M-Class as top achievers of their respective vehicle category and the C-Class Coupé were therefore given the best possible rating of five stars for excellent occupant protection. In addition, Mercedes-Benz received several “Euro NCAP Advanced” awards for safety innovations, among these PRE-SAFE® and the radar-based collision-warning system COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST in the B-Class.
Focusing on preventive systems and accident prevention
“The Euro NCAP awards are a striking recognition of the safety level of our vehicles, and we are delighted about them,” commented Ulrich Mellinghoff, head of Mercedes Safety Development: “However, the standardised crash tests only represent a small sample of real accidents actually happening on our streets. Therefore Mercedes-Benz designs all model series based on about 40 different accident constellations, most of which we derive from our in-house experience in accident research. In addition, we equip our vehicles with systems that are not even taken into account in the rating. Here we focus on preventive systems and accident prevention.“
These systems include the PRE-SAFE® safety system, which is available in all tested vehicles as standard equipment (M-Class) or as option (B-/C-Class), as well as the collision-preventing or impact-severity-reducing systems PRE-SAFE Brake® and COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST with adaptive Brake Assist. Mellinghoff: “We are especially pleased to see that Euro NCAP has gone one step further and has awarded innovation prizes for these systems which are in line with our ‘real-life safety philosophy’.
“Euro NCAP Advanced” award
This innovation award is called “Euro NCAP Advanced”. It was introduced one year ago in addition to the familiar five-star rating system. The independent European safety association Euro NCAP awards it for systems with a “scientifically proven safety benefit”, which were not considered by the former rating system.
Now additional Mercedes-Benz assistant systems were awarded, systems that can help to prevent accidents or reduce their severity. This includes the standard, radar-based collision-warning system COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST with adaptive brake assist in the B-Class. As world premiere in the compact-vehicle segment, the B-Class features this factory-fitted assistance system that clearly reduces the risk of a rear-end collision. COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST gives visual and acoustic warnings to alert the possibly distracted driver to identified obstacles, prepares the vehicle for braking and assists the driver during the braking process, adapted to the specific situation.
Mercedes-Benz was awarded another “Euro NCAP Advanced” prize for the drowsiness-detection system ATTENTION ASSIST. ATTENTION ASSIST analyses driving behaviour by means of sensors and detects fatigue-related changes in the driving style. The driver is then reminded to take a break.
Special insurance discounts
Innovative safety features such as COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST also have direct positive financial consequences for Mercedes-Benz customers. A number of leading international insurance companies grant special discounts for the B-Class, because they anticipate a significant reduction in claims as a result of these innovations. In Germany, for instance, the Allianz insurance company wants to grant the B-Class a 20-percent discount on liability insurance and a 10-percent discount on part comprehensive coverage .
