Mercedes-Benz M-Class Awarded Top Marks For Safety in Euro NCAP Test

STUTTGART – September 2, 2008: The new-generation M-Class has passed European NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) crash tests with flying colours and has been awarded the top mark of five stars for its very high level of occupant protection. The Mercedes off-roader has also achieved outstanding results in tests carried out by US rating organisations.

The latest Euro NCAP test results are confirmation that the safety concept of the M-Class, which is geared to the real-life accident scenarios, also performs well in standardised rating crash tests. Equipped as standard with seven airbags, belt tensioners, belt-force limiters and crash-responsive NECK-PRO head restraints, the SUV ensures its occupants an excellent standard of protection in the event of an accident. The M-Class is the first vehicle in its market segment anywhere in the world to be fitted as standard with the anticipatory occupant protection system PRE-SAFE. The system makes use of the valuable seconds which elapse between a critical situation being identified and a possible impact ensuing, to instigate protective measures. This makes it possible to reduce the forces acting on the occupants in an impact by up to 40 per cent.

The M-Class has garnered top marks in other rating tests too: it was awarded five stars in both the US NCAP and the US SINCAP tests performed by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and received the coveted “Top Safety Pick” designation from the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.