The five-door Mercedes-Benz ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC was recently recognised for its outstanding performance by one of Europe and the world’s most stringent vehicle testing organisations, the Euro NCAP. The ML scored high on factors related to adult occupants, pedestrians and safety assistance.
The tested ML features a host of safety equipment such as front seatbelt pre-tensioners; front seatbelt load limiters with rear outboard load limiters as well; driver frontal airbag dual stage; side body airbags; side head airbags; front passenger frontal airbag dual stage; driver knee airbag; speed limitation assistance; electronic stability control and seatbelt reminder for driver and passengers amongst other specs.
The overall safety rating of Euro NCAP is composed of scores in four areas: adult protection, child protection, pedestrian protection and safety assist. The overall score is calculated by weighing the four scores with respect to each other, while making sure that not one area is underachieving.
The underlying dynamic tests are identical to those before 2009, except for the addition of a test for whiplash neck injury protection in rear impact. Also, Euro NCAP now rewards not only seatbelt reminders, but also speed Limiters and the standard fitment of Electronic Stability Control.
On the adult occupant front, the ML recorded a whopping 96%. During the test, the passenger compartment remained stable in the frontal impact. Dummy readings indicated good protection for the knees and femurs of both driver and front passenger. The M Class scored maximum points in the side barrier test. In the more severe side pole impact, protection of the chest was adequate and that of all other body areas was good. The front seats and head restraints provided good protection against whiplash injuries in the event of a rear impact.
On safety assist, the ML scored 86% owing to its standard electronic stability control as well its seatbelt reminder system for the driver, passenger and rear seats.
For pedestrian protection, the ML received 60%. The M Class has an ‘active’ bonnet. Sensors in the bumper detect when a pedestrian has been struck and actuators lift the rear of the bonnet to provide greater clearance to hard structures underneath. Mercedes-Benz demonstrated that the system would deploy correctly for a wide range of pedestrian statures, and over a broad speed range. In all areas likely to be struck by the head of an adult, the bonnet provided good protection.
Khaled Shaa’ban, General Manager of NBK Automobiles, the exclusive dealers of Mercedes-Benz in Qatar said: “Today and more than ever, car owners look for safety as a priority within their purchase decision-making process. This is why Mercedes-Benz has strongly and continuously invested in safety technology in order to build vehicles that are earmarked with the highest levels of safety in compliance with the strictest global standards such as the Euro NCAP.”