Mercedes-Benz E-Class

TOP SAFETY PICK+ earned by Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Its always nice to know which luxury cars are not only stylish and fast, but are also the best performing in the safety categories as well.

The 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, a large luxury car, earns the IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ award, thanks to a good rating in the challenging small overlap front crash test and a standard front crash prevention system.

The E-Class also earns good ratings in the moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint evaluations.

Beginning with 2014 models manufactured after January, Mercedes strengthened the foot well area of the occupant compartment to improve protection in small overlap front crashes. These changes apply to the 4-door E-Class models.

In the small overlap test, the driver’s space was maintained well. Injury measures recorded on the driver dummy indicated that lower leg injuries would be possible in a real-world crash of this severity. The dummy’s head was reasonably controlled by the frontal airbag, but it rotated around and hit the vehicle’s A-pillar because the head and torso moved too far forward. The side curtain airbag deployed to protect the head from contact with other side structures. Despite the head contact, risk of significant injuries to the head and chest was low.

The Institute added the small overlap evaluation to its testing line-up in 2012. In the crash, 25 percent of a vehicle’s front end on the driver side strikes a 5-foot-tall rigid barrier at 40 mph. It replicates what happens when the front corner of a vehicle strikes another vehicle or object like a tree or a utility pole.

A standard forward collision warning system, called Collision Prevention Assist, earns the E-Class a basic rating for front crash prevention. When equipped with the optional Pre-Safe Brake system, the E-Class earns a superior rating for front crash prevention.

The E-Class is the fourth large luxury car to earn the Institute’s highest award for 2014. To qualify for TOP SAFETY PICK+, a vehicle must earn a good or acceptable rating for small overlap protection, a good rating in the Institute’s other four tests, and a basic, advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention.

Source http://insurancenewsnet.com/oarticle/2014/06/06/mercedes-benz-e-class-earns-top-safety-pick-a-514589.html#.U5cR-mdOV1s

 

Mercedes-Benz wins more awards in the UK than any other car manufacturer

Mercedes-Benz has yet again been one of the most awarded car manufacturers in the UK. Despite being German, the luxury car manufacturer has a huge fan base in the country and to be honest we can see why.

The Sonder Klasse (Special Class in German) has received more awards in 2014 than we can count with our fingers, with the latest to arrive earlier today.

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class was accompanied by the E-Class, with the two models being named “Best Luxury Car” and “Best Executive Car” respectively at the 2014 Fleet World Honors. 

Praised for the large array of safety systems introduced with its mid-cycle refresh in 2013, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class W212 was also complimented for its range of diesel engines, as we all know how pretty much all fleet cars in the UK are oil-burners. 

“The E-Class got a major facelift last year that included adding a huge amount of clever safety kit as standard and improving quality all round. So it’s now a very different car and it shows in the success it has had in fleet. The hybrid diesel is the best hybrid on the market and the traditional diesels are now extremely competitive too.” said Steve Moody, Editor of Fleet World Magazine, who organized the awards event.

Its larger brother, representing the top of the range when it comes to Mercedes-Benz luxury sedans and usually featuring technologies that will trickle down on other cars in the future, was commended for the smooth blending of luxury, refinement and comfort. 

“The S-Class is ubiquitous, and the new model is only set to make it more so. Mercedes just understands the luxury market perfectly, so you get unmatched levels of refinement comfort and luxury. Its clever new active ride suspension makes a mockery of potholes while options such as Burmester sound system and a whole menu of different types of massage make it the ultimate car in which to work and relax.” said Steve Moody.

In case it wasn’t obvious by now, both the current generations of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the E-Class are their segment leaders when it comes to fleets in the United Kingdom, a fact which somewhat explains the number of awards that they are receiving from various British magazines on a monthly basis.

Source http://www.autoevolution.com/news/mercedes-benz-s-class-and-e-class-win-more-awards-in-the-uk-81530.html