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This result is confirmation that the C-Class safety concept, optimised based
on the analysis of real-life accidents, also performs extremely well in
standardised rating crash tests.
With eight airbags, seat-belt tensioners, belt-force limiters and NECK PRO
crash-responsive head restraints fitted as standard, the Saloon offers its
occupants an extremely high level of protection should an accident occur.
The body structure has been designed to ensure that, in the event of a
frontal collision, the impact forces are distributed over a wide area and on
four independently acting impact levels, meaning that the passenger cell remains
largely unscathed.
Around 70 percent of all the bodywork panels are made from state-of-the-art,
high-strength steel alloys that minimise weight and maximise safety. These steel
grades also play a key role in protecting the occupants in the event of a side
impact. The quadruple-skinned B-pillars and the side members, which absorb the
bulk of any side-impact forces and channel these forces into the body structure,
are made partially from ultra-high-strength, hot-formed high-tech steel.
The C-Class safety systems are based on a tried-and-trusted Mercedes concept
that takes a holistic approach towards passenger-car safety, with the emphasis
firmly on accident avoidance and anticipatory occupant protection.
Standard-fit systems such as Electronic Stability Programme ESP® and Brake
Assist aid drivers at critical moments and help them to remain fully in control
should a dangerous situation arise. Research statistics show that the number of
accidents caused by skidding and head-to-tail collisions with serious
consequences is reduced significantly if these Mercedes technologies are on
board.
In addition, Brake Assist also helps to reduce the number of accidents
involving pedestrians. Furthermore, the C-Class is the world's only car in
this market segment to feature an anticipatory occupant protection system in the
shape of PRE‑SAFE®. Fitted as standard equipment to all Australian C-Class
models, this Mercedes-Benz innovation uses the time between detection of a
potential accident situation and a possible collision to initiate preventive
protective measures, thus reducing the loads exerted on the occupants in the
event of an accident by up to 40 percent.
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