2012 Mercedes-Benz Prototype Involved In Fatal Accident

A fatal wreck near Stuttgart involving a camouflaged 2012 Mercedes ML and a stranded Mazda — the latest in a line of similar accidents — has German authorities lashing out at "Rambo" test drivers treating German roads like "the Nürburgring."

This most recent incident occurred late Friday night when a camo'd Mercedes ML with a test driver slammed into a Mazda stranded on the side of the road because of a prior accident. The driver of the Mazda was killed and the test driver was seriously wounded after the ML rolled for nearly 800 feet down the road.

This was the third fatal crash involving a Mercedes test driver in Europe. In July 2003, a driver crashed into a car with a mother and young daughter, killing both. In February 2005, a test car in Sweden spun out-of-control killing a woman. Last year a test driver died after crashing a 911 prototype.




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pepito66 - 4/28/2010 12:46:45 PM

+6 Boost

I am very sorry for the victims in this accident, I also can see how solid, rigid is the new model of Mercedes ML as always great safety and quality.

truckman - 4/28/2010 2:12:16 PM

+5 Boost

MB should rent a track for stunt driving, very irresponsible.

theman - 4/28/2010 2:15:32 PM

+5 Boost

Looks like the new ML is very solid...

Agent63 - 4/30/2010 5:00:15 AM

+2 Boost

Anything could have happened. Who knows the truth. It's all opinion and we all know badgewhore takes his opportunities to bash anything in the premium market. Obviously a Toyota Camry is better than a Mercedes. With so many recalls throughout Toyota umbrella it's still the best company in the world. It's a world class brand right? Oh you forgot to mention KIA who has increase sales, now that's worth noting because they are on the verge of outselling Mercedes as well because of their quality and engineering. LOL just bugging you.

WorldofLuxury - 4/28/2010 3:13:46 PM

+3 Boost

"Closed circuit" is something I favor. I love messing around, but I can't stand putting other innocent people in danger - no drifting and burnouts on public roads for me... but the temptation to...

Whelan - 4/28/2010 4:12:53 PM

+3 Boost

After rolling for 800ft. that is a sound body structure, no caving at all. Reminds me of the boron steel they used in the Volvo XC70 and XC90 frames.

I bet they could see more if they took the camoflauge off the headlights.

Yonder7 - 4/28/2010 4:49:23 PM

+2 Boost

In fact if you get all the info , the new merc is very safe and solid. In other news I read that the car was rolling 800 meters on the highway, so that sugest that the car is good but the driver was very stupid endagering the life of other drivers at very high speed and the same happens a year ago with a test 911 speeding.

Yonder7 - 4/28/2010 4:50:34 PM

+1 Boost

CORRECTION: 800 Ft...not meters...

pchera01 - 4/29/2010 9:44:50 AM

+3 Boost

from the article

"In defense of test drivers, it used to be there was time to test on the Nürburgring before it became clogged with American SUVs and Japanese mid-size sedans"

hhhmmmmm
Next generation Infiniti G, Lexus GS

Neverfollow - 4/29/2010 4:20:00 PM

+2 Boost

800ft? My god, how fast was he going? I don't care what any of you say, that's gross negligence on the part of the driver and manufacturer if they knew about this sort of testing. That's almost 3 football field lengths before coming to a stop! Absolutely rediculous.