ML-Class Earns Five Stars In Crash Test Rating
Posted by www.eMercedesBenz.com on October 04, 2005 at 8:27 AM CST
If you're thinking about buying a new ML-Class but are worried about
safety, we have some good news for you. In a recent crash test
performed by the National Highway Traffic Administration, the 2006 ML-
Class earned five stars (out of a possible five stars), becoming one
of the few SUV's to do so.
To rate the ML, the National Highway Traffic Administration subjected
the donor vehicles to two tests. The first was the NCAP (New Car
Assessment Program) in which the ML collided with a rigid wall at 36
mph. The second test was the SINCAP test (Side Impact New Car
Assessment Program), in which a deformable barrier collided with the
ML at 38.5 mph. In the two tests, the ML-Class earned five stars for
both the front and rear passengers, which means that in the event of
either of the two accidents, all passengers have less than a 5%
chance of being seriously injured.
But what fun is reading about a crash test if you don't get to see
it? Our thoughts exactly. To view the videos of the crash, photos as
well as the full press release, Click The Link Below: Enjoy!
www.eMercedesBenz.com
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
Five stars for the M-Class
Stuttgart, Oct 04, 2005
The M-Class has come out of the crash-test programme of the
“National Highway Traffic Safety Administration�?? with flying
colours, becoming one of the first SUVs to be awarded the maximum
five-star rating for both the frontal and side crashes in the US-NCAP
test. Having been highly successful in numerous safety tests covering
all vehicle categories all over the world, Mercedes-Benz has now once
again proved that, really, one star on the car is all it takes.
After earning five stars in both the frontal and the side crash, the
new M-Class now occupies a leading position in the SUV segment. In
the American version of the NCAP test (New Car Assessment Program)
the vehicles are subjected to a front-end crash at 36 mph (56 km/h)
against a rigid wall. The SINCAP test (Side Impact New Car Assessment
Program) specifies an impact by a 1368-kilogram deformable barrier
against the side of the car on a level with the front-seat occu-pants
at 38.5 mph (62 km/h).

The M-Class debuted on the American market six months ago and rapidly
became a trendsetter. The Mercedes off-roader sets new standards
particularly with regard to passive safety. The unitised body with
its high-strength passenger compartment and generous deformation
zones front and rear provides the basic foundation for outstanding
occupant protection. Adaptive two-stage front airbags for the driver
and front passenger, front sidebags, windowbags, belt tensioners and
belt force limiters are all standard specification.
One unique new feature in the SUV segment is the PRE-SAFE®
anticipatory occupant protection system. In critical driving
situations where an accident threatens, the system cuts in like an
athlete's reflexes, preparing the occupants and the vehicle for a
potential collision. As a precaution, PRE-SAFE® tensions both front
seat belts, moves the electrically adjustable front passenger seat to
a safer position and, if a roll-over appears imminent, also closes
the sunroof.
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