World first: New radar system coming on next S-Class

First Accident Avoidance System Reduces Rear Collisions by 75 Percent

When the next-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class goes on sale in Europe this fall, the flagship sedan will be the first to feature a new version of PRE-SAFE, a revolutionary new safety system that can reduce rear collisions by 75 percent. The next evolution of Mercedes-Benz accident avoidance, PRE-SAFE uses two complementary radar frequencies to detect vehicles up ahead, warn of a likely impact and prime the braking system for faster response when the driver brakes the car.

In addition, the front seat belts are tightened during the valuable time just before a possible impact, and seats move to positions that provide better protection -- two measures that have been part of the current S-Class PRE-SAFE system since its debut in 2002. The latest version also closes the side windows to provide better support for the curtain air bags, and can inflate special seat cushions that provide greater lateral support for occupants and help the side air bags provide even greater protection.

Testing Shows New PRE-SAFE Reduces Rear Collisions by 75 Percent

The new PRE-SAFE uses an enhanced version of the Mercedes-Benz Brake Assist system that can not only supply full-power braking assist in emergencies as soon as the driver applies the brake pedal, but also continuously measures the distance to the vehicle ahead and adjusts brake pressure if the driver doesn't brake hard enough. In extensive tests conducted by Mercedes researchers using 300 drivers, PRE-SAFE reduced rear collisions in heavy city traffic by 75 percent.

Two Radar Beams Stay on the Alert

The newest PRE-SAFE system uses two very different radar beams to scan traffic in front of the car. Newly developed short-range radar with a frequency of 24 gigahertz sweeps the first 33 yards in a fan-shaped 80-degree pattern, working in tandem with a narrower nine-degree beam of longer-range 77-gigahertz radar (already used for the car's optional Distronic cruise control feature). The two radar frequencies complement each other to provide a full range of more than 160 yards - more than one and a half football fields. The system can identify when the car is gaining too quickly on vehicles ahead to intervene with the Distronic system, and it decides whether to sound a warning, ready Brake Assist and trigger other PRE-SAFE measures.

vwmbfan - 6/17/2005 12:06:47 PM

+1 Boost

e--s--f Mercedes-Benz had Pre-Safe a year before Lexus. It was introduced on the MY2003 S-Class. The radar system is new, but M-B had the rest of the Pre-Safe system before Lexus.

mkk21 - 6/20/2005 3:48:17 PM

+1 Boost

Although I am a huge and I mean huge Lexus fan, I hate to admit it but a lot of the technology you see in Lexus, Mercedes has come out with it first. It may not be as reliable as Lexus but the ideas came from Mercedes. From the pre-safe system to the keyless entry and starter system it was all Mercedes. They might not have heavily advertised those products when they first came out so that may be why no one knows about Mercedes having these technologies. But what Lexus has does in their commercials is to stress these technologies a lot more than the other luxury manufacturers.

mkk21 - 6/22/2005 3:33:29 PM

+1 Boost

Gifford888 you’re a bit confusing and contradictory. First you state that Lexus is reliable and a just a little prestigious, which I would assume as being qualities of a great car. But in the end you say that they aren’t “good” at all. All those people who purchase Lexus's are like vette owners, they just bought into their “marketing” or “created” some image that they are “good” meaning they aren't really that great cars. So which is it? Are Lexus’s good? Or are they bad and we just bought into an “image”?

Another thing, do you know what a definition of a “fan” is? It’s an “ardent devotee; an enthusiast” according to dictionary.com. Let me try an analogy on you. New England Patriots won three of the four past superbowls. But apparently according to your stance all those people who cheered them on, none of them are “huge fan’s.” Because when I say Lexus has won award after award for safety, reliability, quality, you name it, and waking up those other manufacturers, you’re saying I can’t be a huge fan of Lexus? So in a way there are no “fans” out there, meaning the word should not even exist or rather just mean that thing that blows air. I’m guessing you are not a “fan” of anything then, huh?

mkk21 - 6/22/2005 3:47:22 PM

+1 Boost

On second thought, you could be a fan...for blowing all that hot air...hahahaha!!! j/k!

MercBasher - 6/23/2005 3:24:23 AM

+1 Boost

Hey you'all I usually bash MB, but folks give MB their due - they are usually the safety leaders and more importantly they tend to be very willing to share their / licence their technology.

However I don't care how safe a car is when its running, if I can't be sure (beyond a reasonable doubt) that it will be running. I was stuck on the side of the road in a rain storm in a MB SL because of electical problems - that's just one of the reasons why I chose not to buy MB vehicles - however when MB can prove that it has resolved the reliability problems, the build quality issues, and the weak dealer service issues then, and only then, I will be back buying an MB car or truck