NECK-PRO: crash-responsive head restraints standard in four Mercedes model series

Stuttgart, May 07, 2005; With the new NECK-PRO head restraints, Mercedes-Benz is making a further important contribution to occupant safety. The crash-responsive head restraints are part of standard specification in the C-Class, CLK-Class, CLS-Class and E-Class.

The NECK-PRO head restraints are linked to an electronic control unit: if the sensor system detects a rear-end collision of a predefined degree of severity, it releases pre-tensioned springs inside the head restraints, causing the latter to move forwards by 40 millimetres and upwards by 30 millimetres in a split-second; this has the effect of providing support for the heads of front seat occupants at an early stage. In this way, Mercedes-Benz has improved the level of protection for the occupants in a rear-end collision and reduced the risk of whiplash injuries.

Following the deployment of NECK-PRO, the head restraints can be released using a special tool provided with the car, and can then be pushed back manually to their original positions.

The new crash-responsive head restraints for the driver and front passenger are standard equipment in the C-Class Saloon and Estate, the CLK-Class Coupé and Cabriolet, The E-Class Saloon and Estate and in the four-door CLS Coupé.