Due out later this year, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has received non-stop speculation over what chanes will be made. One safety change we belive will be added to Mercedes’ flagship is the Beltbag. It is an inflatable seat-belt for rear passenges, minimizing the strain on the ribcage in head-on collisions.

The Beltbag deploys when crash sensors detect a severe frontal impact, the airbag control unit will then trigger deployment and inflation of the Beltbag. A gas generator then inflates the multi-layered belt strap with Velcro seams to nearly three times its normal width. The resulting larger surface area is able to better distribute the force acting on the seat occupant, thereby reducing the risk of injury.

The Beltbag can be used in exactly the same way as a conventional seat belt. The belt strap’s design is different from that of the standard belt though, and received top marks in practical trials for being extremely comfortable to wear and for its extra-soft belt strap edge.

“Mercedes-Benz is pursuing its safety initiative in the rear of vehicles with the Beltbag,” comments Prof. Dr.-Ing. Rodolfo Schöneburg, Head of Passive Safety and Vehicle Functions at Mercedes-Benz Cars. “After all, the excellent standard of safety offered by Mercedes-Benz doesn’t just apply to all model series, but to all seats, too.”

Just like the active seat-belt buckle recently presented by Mercedes-Benz that is likewise earmarked for inclusion in a luxury model, the Beltbag was developed with a particular view toward new markets. There, the occupancy rate in the rear is as much as 30 percent, making it much higher than in Europe. By introducing the Beltbag, Mercedes-Benz is further expanding the safety system for passengers in the rear – in contrast to many other manufacturers, seat belts in the second row of Mercedes-Benz models already come equipped with belt tensioners and belt force limiters. It is not planned to introduce the Beltbag for the front occupants, as airbags are already included in the front on all models as a supplementary restraint system.

Because dummy measurement technology is not capable of quantifying the benefits resulting from a wider belt strap, such as the lower force exerted on occupants, the safety experts at Mercedes have also been working intensely with virtual human models, as such computer-generated models make it possible to obtain detailed findings on the biomechanical strain during a collision.

The new “Thanks, Airbag” B-Class spot is a declaration of love to the airbag. For 30 years the airbag has been making driving safer and saving lives. In the future the airbag will have less to do, thanks to the COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST. The 2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class may be considered entry level, but its safety features are anything but.

Click here for an in-depth look at the 2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class