Photo Gallery
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- Double protection: for its roadster and cabriolet models, Mercedes-Benz developed head/thorax sidebags to protect the front occupants’ head and chest areas. This type of airbag, which celebrated its world premiere in the SL-Class in 2001, is also part of the standard equipment package for the CLK-Class Cabriolet.
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- In 1968, work began on developing an airbag. The airbag, in contrast to the seatbelt, cushions a larger area of the occupant and so further enhances the protection provided by the belt. The picture at left, taken in 1969, shows one of many vehicle tests carried out in the course of airbag development. Without question, Daimler-Benz played a leading role in developing the airbag.
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- Sequence showing the functioning of steering-wheel airbag and belt tensioner, 1981. At that time, Daimler-Benz was the world’s only manufacturer to offer the belt tensioner for the front passenger and the airbag for the driver.
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- The engineers convinced themselves of the safety the airbag affords by putting it to the test themselves.
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- There is often a need to tighten the belt – due to a belt worn too loosely or thick winter clothing. The belt tensioner removes the slack of the belt and in so doing not only reduces the forward movement of the head and chest and the risk of steering wheel or instrument panel contact, but also neck loads.
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- Systematic occupant protection: this Mercedes diagram from 1980 explained how the airbag and belt tensioner worked based on a single sensor signal.
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- Protection within milliseconds: the airbag has brought about a vast improvement in occupant safety in the event of a frontal impact. Since 1990, it has saved over 2500 lives in Germany alone.
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- Protection within milliseconds: the airbag has brought about a vast improvement in occupant safety in the event of a frontal impact. Since 1990, it has saved over 2500 lives in Germany alone.
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- Protection within milliseconds: the airbag has brought about a vast improvement in occupant safety in the event of a frontal impact. Since 1990, it has saved over 2500 lives in Germany alone.
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- Protection within milliseconds: the airbag has brought about a vast improvement in occupant safety in the event of a frontal impact. Since 1990, it has saved over 2500 lives in Germany alone.
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- Protection within milliseconds: the airbag has brought about a vast improvement in occupant safety in the event of a frontal impact. Since 1990, it has saved over 2500 lives in Germany alone.
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- Protection within milliseconds: the airbag has brought about a vast improvement in occupant safety in the event of a frontal impact. Since 1990, it has saved over 2500 lives in Germany alone.
