If you're thinking about buying a new ML-Class but are worried about safety, we have some good news for you.  In a recent crash test performed by the National Highway Traffic Administration, the 2006 ML-Class earned five stars (out of a possible five stars), becoming one of the few SUV's to do so.

To rate the ML, the National Highway Traffic Administration subjected the donor vehicles to two tests.  The first was the NCAP test (New Car Assessment Program), in which the ML collided with a rigid wall at 36 mph.  The second test was the SINCAP test (Side Impact New Car Assessment Program), in which a deformable barrier collided with the ML at 38.5 mph. In the two tests, the ML-Class earned five stars for both the front and rear passengers, which means that in the event of either of the two accidents, all passengers have less than a 5% chance of being seriously injured.

But what fun is reading about a crash test if you don't get to see it? Our thoughts exactly.  Here are videos of the frontal impact test and the side impact test.  Enjoy.  Oh, I almost forgot - you'll need Windows Media Player to view the videos.

You can check out Mercedes' full press release below, and you can also find more information about the National Highway Traffic Administration here.


OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE


Five stars for the M-Class



Stuttgart, Oct 04, 2005

The M-Class has come out of the crash-test programme of the “National Highway Traffic Safety Administration” with flying colours, becoming one of the first SUVs to be awarded the maximum five-star rating for both the frontal and side crashes in the US-NCAP test. Having been highly successful in numerous safety tests covering all vehicle categories all over the world, Mercedes-Benz has now once again proved that, really, one star on the car is all it takes.

After earning five stars in both the frontal and the side crash, the new M-Class now occupies a leading position in the SUV segment. In the American version of the NCAP test (New Car Assessment Program) the vehicles are subjected to a front-end crash at 36 mph (56 km/h) against a rigid wall. The SINCAP test (Side Impact New Car Assessment Program) specifies an impact by a 1368-kilogram deformable barrier against the side of the car on a level with the front-seat occu-pants at 38.5 mph (62 km/h).

The M-Class debuted on the American market six months ago and rapidly became a trendsetter. The Mercedes off-roader sets new standards particularly with regard to passive safety. The unitised body with its high-strength passenger compartment and generous deformation zones front and rear provides the basic foundation for outstanding occupant protection. Adaptive two-stage front airbags for the driver and front passenger, front sidebags, windowbags, belt tensioners and belt force limiters are all standard specification.

One unique new feature in the SUV segment is the PRE-SAFE® anticipatory occupant protection system. In critical driving situations where an accident threatens, the system cuts in like an athlete's reflexes, preparing the occupants and the vehicle for a potential collision. As a precaution, PRE-SAFE® tensions both front seat belts, moves the electrically adjustable front passenger seat to a safer position and, if a roll-over appears imminent, also closes the sunroof.

Copyright © 2005 National Highway Traffic Association and Daimler Chrysler AG