Mercedes-Benz engineers are hard at work putting the finishing touches on the next generation E-Class which is set for launch next year. The company has now released a short video highlighting some of the new “Intelligent Drive” technologies featured in the 2016 Mercedes E-Class. Looks like this thing is going to give the S-Class a run for its money.
2016 Mercedes E-Class will debut a number of new driver assistance packages that will raise the bar for safety, comfort and stress-free driving. The E-Class, after all, is an executive saloon and those are the exact qualities executives want. The car also features new technologies in terms of semi-automated driving on freeways, highways and in city traffic, automated braking, and automated parking using a smartphone app. Beltbags – safety belts fitted with airbags – are another technology highlight of the new E-Class.
Here’s a brief description of some of the new technology features of the 2016 Mercedes E-Class:
Safety as a core element.
Mercedes-Benz is taking a further major step along the road to accident-free and autonomous driving: drivers can expect to enjoy a new dimension of safety, comfort and stress relief in the future E-Class, which is being launched next spring.
Safety is a core element of the Mercedes-Benz brand, which has been setting the pace in the development of active and passive vehicle safety measures for almost 70 years, not only for the benefit of Mercedes drivers, but also for that of other road users.
Relieving the strain on the driver.
One of the highlights of the Driver Assistance package that will make the future E-Class the most intelligent saloon in its class is the Intelligent Drive next Level: this system sees Mercedes-Benz taking the next step along the road to autonomous driving. On motorways and country roads, it is not only automatically able to keep the car at a correct distance behind slower vehicles ahead, it can also follow them in their lane at a speeds of up to 200 km/h.
This can relieve the driver, who doesn’t necessarily need to operate the brake or accelerator pedal during normal driving and also receives plenty of steering assistance – even in bends. At speeds up to 130 km/h, the system is not necessarily dependent on clearly visible lane markings as it can also intervene actively if the lines on the road are unclear, as is often the case in road works, or even if there are no lines on the road at all.
Dangerous situations are being defused.
The Active Brake Assist with enhanced functionality can warn the driver of imminent crash situations, provide just the right level of assistance in the event of sudden braking and also apply the brakes automatically in an emergency.
In addition to detecting slower-moving, stopping or stationary vehicles, it also detects and reacts to crossing traffic at junctions, the tail ends of traffic jams and pedestrians in the danger zone ahead of the vehicle, for example.
Parking via smartphone app.
The Evasive Steering Assist is the ideal complement to the pedestrian detection function of Active Brake Assist. When the driver deliberately or instinctively performs an evasive manoeuvre in a dangerous situation, this function can assist by adding precisely calculated steering torque to support the movement of the steering wheel.
Additionally, the Remote Parking Pilot for the first time allows the vehicle to be moved into and out of parking spaces from outside the vehicle using a smartphone app, allowing the occupants to get into and out of the car easily, even if space is very tight.
Exchanging information with other vehicles.
Car-to-X Communication, the mobile phone-supported exchange of information with other vehicles further ahead on the road, for example, can effectively allow the driver to see around corners or through obstacles. This means that the driver receives an earlier warning than previously in the event of imminent danger, such as vehicles involved in an accident.
Another innovation is the Digital Car Key system, which uses Near Field Communication technology and allows the driver’s smartphone to be used as a vehicle key.
Enhanced protection against side collisions.
If an unavoidable side collision is detected, with PRE-SAFE® Impulse Side the air chambers in the backrest side bolsters inflate rapidly to preventively move the occupant sideways, away from the danger area. This increases the distance between occupant and door. The PRE-SAFE® Sound system is a first in that it makes use of a natural reflex to protect the occupants’ ears from the expected noise in the event of a possible collision.
Safer at night.
High-resolution MULTIBEAM LED headlamps, each with 84 individually activated high-performance LEDs, automatically illuminate the road surface with precision-controlled distribution of exceptionally bright light – without blinding other road users. These new, intelligent assistance and safety systems see Mercedes-Benz taking another step closer to its goal of accident-free and autonomous driving.
