Mercedes set to debut S-Class ESF safety concept w/ more airbags than a balloon shop
06-10-09, 08:46 AM
#1
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Mercedes set to debut S-Class ESF safety concept w/ more airbags than a balloon shop
An inordinate number of the safety features that we now find commonplace in roadgoing automobiles made their debut in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. So where better to look for the next generation of safety technology? You guessed it.
To that end, Mercedes is slated to unveil a concept S-Class to showcase the safety features it is working on next. The ESF 2009 Concept is based on the S400 Hybrid – as if to show that "green" and "safe" can co-exist – and it comes packed with a bunch of new airbags. There's a new curtain airbag in between the seats (you know, so you don't butt heads), airbags in the seatbelts themselves, and perhaps the most innovative feature, a giant airbag underneath the vehicle that inflates in the case of an imminent crash, adding friction to help the car decelerate and lifting the front of the car a bit to compensate for brake dive. That last part worries us a little, as it strikes us that it could hinder any attempt to steer away from the crash, but for the time being we'll trust that Mercedes knows what it's doing. There are also seat bolsters that can move the occupants a couple of inches away from the doors in case of a side impact, metal beams that can actually inflate – thereby cutting weight and saving space on impact beams – and reflective tires.
With the airbag count rising rapidly, a potential crash is looking more expensive by the day, but Mercedes seems to revel in the "how can you put a price on safety?" approach. Stay tuned for more information, and check out the images in the gallery below in the meantime.
To that end, Mercedes is slated to unveil a concept S-Class to showcase the safety features it is working on next. The ESF 2009 Concept is based on the S400 Hybrid – as if to show that "green" and "safe" can co-exist – and it comes packed with a bunch of new airbags. There's a new curtain airbag in between the seats (you know, so you don't butt heads), airbags in the seatbelts themselves, and perhaps the most innovative feature, a giant airbag underneath the vehicle that inflates in the case of an imminent crash, adding friction to help the car decelerate and lifting the front of the car a bit to compensate for brake dive. That last part worries us a little, as it strikes us that it could hinder any attempt to steer away from the crash, but for the time being we'll trust that Mercedes knows what it's doing. There are also seat bolsters that can move the occupants a couple of inches away from the doors in case of a side impact, metal beams that can actually inflate – thereby cutting weight and saving space on impact beams – and reflective tires.
With the airbag count rising rapidly, a potential crash is looking more expensive by the day, but Mercedes seems to revel in the "how can you put a price on safety?" approach. Stay tuned for more information, and check out the images in the gallery below in the meantime.
06-10-09, 09:58 AM
#3
That is awesome. Mercedes vehicles have always been head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to safety. Nice to see them make new strides.
It is always sad to see anyone hurt or killed in an accident, so the more safety equipment the better, even if it adds weight.
It is always sad to see anyone hurt or killed in an accident, so the more safety equipment the better, even if it adds weight.
06-10-09, 11:33 AM
#5
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lol i dont see the airbag underneath the car as making it into production. sunds kinda useless to me. If the airbag deploys to try and slow you down, and to stop brake dive, then what happens when it was just a false alarm, and you dont get into a crash. Does the airbag automatically retract back for another use? doesnt really make sense. make brakes that brake better, and suspension that compensates for brake dive.
06-10-09, 01:02 PM
#6
not really to defend lexus, but comparing to a car that's almost 3 yrs old?
companies leap frogging each other, i take this as a great sign coz' that put more pressure on lexus to advance further
that's similar to false alarm when cars hig potholes and airbags deploy right? in those cases you will need to get those airbags replaced too
companies leap frogging each other, i take this as a great sign coz' that put more pressure on lexus to advance further
lol i dont see the airbag underneath the car as making it into production. sunds kinda useless to me. If the airbag deploys to try and slow you down, and to stop brake dive, then what happens when it was just a false alarm, and you dont get into a crash. Does the airbag automatically retract back for another use? doesnt really make sense. make brakes that brake better, and suspension that compensates for brake dive.
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Safety & luxury has been their forte for yearrrrrrrrrrs!
06-10-09, 01:22 PM
#9
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Not sure if I want an airbag blowing up across my chest like that.
Toyota has debuted similar systems already and has them in use in vehicles in other markets. IQ has a rear window airbag and I believe the Crown has a curtain airbag between the passengers as well.
Airbag underneath the car sounds ridiculous.
Toyota has debuted similar systems already and has them in use in vehicles in other markets. IQ has a rear window airbag and I believe the Crown has a curtain airbag between the passengers as well.
Airbag underneath the car sounds ridiculous.
06-10-09, 02:03 PM
#11
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not really to defend lexus, but comparing to a car that's almost 3 yrs old?
companies leap frogging each other, i take this as a great sign coz' that put more pressure on lexus to advance further
that's similar to false alarm when cars hig potholes and airbags deploy right? in those cases you will need to get those airbags replaced too
companies leap frogging each other, i take this as a great sign coz' that put more pressure on lexus to advance further
that's similar to false alarm when cars hig potholes and airbags deploy right? in those cases you will need to get those airbags replaced too
Well to be fair when was the last time Lexus pioneered something for safety, they are usually too busy copying BMWs latest nooks and crease on the doors and finding new sneaky ways to put Mercedes mirror blinkers on their car without getting into trouble.
06-10-09, 02:10 PM
#12
All of those safety features sounds great and could potentially sway MANY top line luxury sedan buyers to go with this MB.
The Lexus LS is a car that has been in production for a while and to compare it with this "concept" Mercedes is pretty unfair. I'm sure Lexus has some good stuff cooking in their R&D departments as well.
The Lexus LS is a car that has been in production for a while and to compare it with this "concept" Mercedes is pretty unfair. I'm sure Lexus has some good stuff cooking in their R&D departments as well.
06-10-09, 06:25 PM
#14
Lexus Champion
Hmmm... comparing a 3 year old car with one that is still to be released.
Unlikely. But if the next generation LS is lacking ,then you may be right. As it stands this car changes nothing IMO.
Unlikely. But if the next generation LS is lacking ,then you may be right. As it stands this car changes nothing IMO.
06-10-09, 08:10 PM
#15
Lexus Fanatic
so, now airbags x10000 are a luxury feature eh?
they can't think of anything else original, so they say "let's put 100 more airbags in there.
well, where's the airbag for my nuts?
they can't think of anything else original, so they say "let's put 100 more airbags in there.
well, where's the airbag for my nuts?