E-Class (W212/S212/C207/A207) W212 Crash Tested (U.S) 4 Stars Frontal, 5 Stars Side. & More Safety Scores

[K-A]

I don't know what it is with M-B's, but they never score high in the Gov frontal Tests.

(something might be up with these Links, so you might have to pull them up from the Site yourself).

W212 Test:
http://www.safercar.gov/portal/site...VCM1000002fd17898RCRD&vgnextrefresh=1&ID=8455

W211 Test:
http://www.safercar.gov/portal/site...VCM1000002fd17898RCRD&vgnextrefresh=1&ID=4408

W204 C-Class Test:
http://www.safercar.gov/portal/site...VCM1000002fd17898RCRD&vgnextrefresh=1&ID=4815

The W212's head injury criteria is pretty bad, worse than the 211's (and W204's) actually (which also got 4-Stars), it actually has "worse" scores than the 211 in a few areas in the side and frontal collision load numbers.

If this was any other company who claims they are superior in "real world crashes", yet showed less than perfect numbers in standardized tests, I wouldn't take their word for it, M-B has historically backed it up however (ex: the W211 had the amongst the lowest Death Rates of about any car in the IIHS latest Stat Sheet, & lowest of all mid-size Sedans, as did the W210), so I don't think much of these Tests.

Here is the Euro AUS Tests (more rigorous than U.S Tests)

W212:
http://www.howsafeisyourcar.com.au/_scripts/ancap_summary_result.php?IID=2993

W211:
http://www.howsafeisyourcar.com.au/_scripts/ancap_summary_result.php?IID=105

It performed a smidge better in both frontal and side collisions than the 211 did, earning it a slightly higher overall score. If you look at the details, There was slightly less movement of the A-Pillar, Steering Wheel hub, and brake pedal in the safety cage, which is expected with its even more generous use of the latest high strength steels

The EU's strict new frontal regs for Pedestrian Safety got it a 4 Star Ped Rating (W211's is 1) as the lower and more blunt/less slanted grille, lack of a sticking out bumber area, clamshell (popping) bonnet, and grill-airbag proved effective in providing pedestrians safety if struck by the car.

One thing that's puzzling, is the 212 got only a 4-Star rear-impact (whiplash/neck injury) rating for an EU Gov Test, which is a first for a modern M-B really. Can't find the Link right now where I saw it, and heard a few people saying the "Neck-Pro" Feature wasn't activated.

Some Video's::

NHTSA Front. If you look at the 212's NHTSA Frontal Vid, you see A LOT of harsh dummie movement, and a seemingly hard appearing impact by both the physical car, and the interior/passengers flailing everywhere, and is it me or are the seats kinda flimsy? Also, the crash (and crash pics from the Link above) show the 212 diving in more dramatically and bouncing away more than the 211, maybe this has to do with the much more steeply raked and lower bonnet? I personally think the front hood line sits a bit too low for optimal confidence in a head on, on the U.S's truck obsessed roads.

YouTube - 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class (E350) NHTSA Frontal Impact

The W211's Vid shows it actually being quite a bit more composed and "smooth" in the crash, which would explain the differences in their Test Scores:

YouTube - Mercedes-Benz E320 NHTSA 25 Mp/h Unbelted Frontal Impact

NHTSA W212 Side Test:
YouTube - 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class (E350) NHTSA Side Impact

EURO NCAP W212 Test (where it performs much better than its NHTSA Test):
YouTube - Crash Test New Mercedes E-Class 2010 Euro NCAP

That is an offset Test, and to note, the NHTSA slams the cars full front end into a flat wall. Obviously M-B wasn't taking ramming into flat walls as much into account as the more realistic (and testing overall on a cars structure) offset crashes.

Hopefully some of this info is valuable to some, and Hopefully the U.S's IIHS Tests are to come soon.

 

[ZicZachZo]

The government's test is a joke. Frontal offset is the industry standard. Stupid US gov't driving cars directly into walls...

 

[K-A]

Yeah, can't remember the last time I saw or heard of a car ramming cleanly straight into a wall.

 

[K-A]

Here's a compilation Video of the Euro NCAP W212 Tests, including the front, rear, pole, and side:

www.howsafeisyourcar.com.au - MERCEDES BENZ E-CLASS 2009 - Summary safety report

The main thing about the 212's frontal performance that makes me curious, is why it seems to dive in and bounce back so dramatically.

Seems the 211 didn't so much:

YouTube - Mercedes E class CRASH TEST

Edit: Actually, comparing the 211's Euro NCAP, it seems to be closer to the dive in and bounce back of the 212, although it still seems slightly less dramatic, I dunno. My personal theory is the height of the hood and grille area. Into a flat wall however again, is where the difference between the composure and smoothness between the two cars is it seems.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhcBthYDnu8

 

[Merc1]

I've seen Mercedes' save lives in the real world, I'll stick with that. Any car (except for the Chinese ones) can be designed to passed these tests. Real world accidents are rarely so controlled. These tests aren't pointless or irrelevant, but they aren't the end-all either. Mercedes.........Volvo, Audi and yes Saab were doing the safety thing long before others even got the idea or while they were still "researching" the subject.

M

 

[klier]

Yeah, can't remember the last time I saw or heard of a car ramming cleanly straight into a wall.

That's so true. That never happens. Only in movies maybe.

 

[bmer]

Here is the Euro AUS Tests (more rigorous than U.S Tests)

W212:
www.howsafeisyourcar.com.au - MERCEDES BENZ E-CLASS 2009 - Summary safety report

W211:
www.howsafeisyourcar.com.au - MERCEDES BENZ E-CLASS (LHD) 2004 - Summary safety report

These are not EuroNCAP tests but ANCAP tests.

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) provides consistent information about how well new car models protect their occupants in serious crashes.

ANCAP crash tests new cars, awards them a comparative star rating and publicises the results to inform consumers of the relative safety performance of new cars on the Australian market. ANCAP’s stakeholders are all Australian and New Zealand motoring clubs, all Australian state governments, the New Zealand government, the Victorian Transport Accident Commission, the Insurance Australia Group and the FIA Foundation.

Here's a compilation Video of the Euro NCAP W212 Tests, including the front, rear, pole, and side:

www.howsafeisyourcar.com.au - MERCEDES BENZ E-CLASS 2009 - Summary safety report

Again this is not EuroNCAP but ANCAP.


Here is the actual EuroNCAP test for the W212 E-Class: Euro NCAP - For safer cars | Mercedes E-Class

 

[K-A]

These are not EuroNCAP tests but ANCAP tests.





Again this is not EuroNCAP but ANCAP.


Here is the actual EuroNCAP test for the W212 E-Class: Euro NCAP - For safer cars | Mercedes E-Class

Thanks. Actually from what I've heard (now that I'm remembering), the ANCAP is supposed to be the most rigorous Test?