NEW 2021 Mercedes S CLASS – All Safety Features

The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class has become more intelligent in many areas, and the driving experience reaches new heights. The digital innovations in e.g. MBUX[1] include new features that make driving even more enjoyable and even safer: among them are rear-axle steering with a large steering angle and safety innovations such as the rear airbag. Furthermore – as a new function of PRE-SAFE^® Impulse Side – the vehicle body can be raised just before a side impact thanks to the active E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL suspension. Following systematic further development, the driving assistance systems are a further step towards autonomous driving. Thanks to improved environmental sensors, for example, the parking systems give the driver even better support when manoeuvring at low speed. While visualisation reaches new levels by virtue of integration into the intuitive operation of MBUX.

Can a luxury saloon with a long wheelbase be almost as manoeuvrable and agile as a compact car around town? Yes, if it has rear-axle steering with a large steering angle at the rear axle.

Are more safety innovations even possible in the interior? Yes, as the S-Class demonstrates: The rear airbag for severe frontal collisions deploys from the front seat backrests, extending the protective systems for the two passengers on the outer rear seats.

Can the active E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL suspension improve not only comfort, but also safety? Yes, because in addition to the well-proven PRE-SAFE^® Impulse Side system, the new S-Class is able to raise the entire vehicle body immediately before an impending side collision. This can benefit all the occupants.

Can the driving assistance systems be improved even further? Yes, in the new S-Class, Mercedes-Benz comes another big step closer to its vision of accident-free driving. The driver is assisted in controlling the vehicle by numerous new or extended driving assistance systems. He/she thereby has a reduced workload in day-to-day situations, and is able to drive comfortably and safely. When danger threatens, the assistance systems are able to help the driver respond to impending collisions as the situation demands, and ideally prevent them. Active Parking Assist and the 360° camera with a new 3D view assist the driver more easily and conveniently than ever before when parking and unparking, or when negotiating tight spaces.

"The new S-Class does full justice to its innovative tradition. The new generation will once again set the pace in the automotive industry: the S-Class has trailblazing innovations in every area, from safety and comfort to efficiency. One common theme is systematic digitalisation, both in development terms and in the vehicle itself. Intelligent networking of different systems gives our customers tangible added value",Dr Uwe Ernstberger, Head of S and C-Class model series product group

"With the new S-Class we are now proudly presenting the world's first frontal airbag for the passengers in the rear. The rear airbag with an innovative, tubular structure is unique. And as a result it deploys extremely gently. Naturally the passengers should continue to fasten their seat belts. With the new, illuminated-design belt buckles, putting on seat belts is now even more intuitive",
Dr Thomas W. Hellmuth, Head of Body and safety

"The rear-axle steering makes the S-Class as manoeuvrable as a compact car. Even for the S-Class with a long wheelbase, the turning circle is reduced to under 11 metres. And thanks to Active Parking Assist with 360° camera, the vehicle can slip into tight parking spaces while recognising whether anybody is moving within that space. When leaving a space,
the S-Class keeps a wary eye out for crossing traffic",
Jürgen Weissinger, Chief Engineer S-Class

"If the sensors discover an impending side-on crash, PRE-SAFE^® Impulse Side preventively raises the body by up to 8 centimetres with the aid of E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL – in this way the impact is directed to particularly resilient structures in the lower part of the vehicle. As another feature celebrating its world premiere, the exit warning function now gives a warning as soon as the driver or front passenger reaches for the door. This is because the MBUX Interior Assistant recognises when a hand approaches the door handle",