The 2013 model-year Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4-door RWD and C-Class 4-door AWD, along with the 2013 model-year ML-Class SUV RWD and ML-Class SUV 4WD, recently drew five-star overall ratings in New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The NCAP program significantly tightened many of the requirements for model years 2011 and newer. For example, the frontal impact focuses on very low loads on the head (head injury criterion), neck, chest and femur of both driver and passenger. Furthermore, an additional stringent test for side impact is also conducted.

Mercedes-Benz attributes the top scores to its longstanding philosophy on safety testing.

“For decades, Mercedes-Benz has taken a comprehensive approach to safety that reflects what actually happens in real-world accidents,” said Professor Rodolfo Schöneburg, head of Mercedes-Benz safety development. “The challenge is to depict reality in our crash lab. To do so, we use some 40 different crash test scenarios. A significant number of these are based on our own accident research and are unique to our brand. The C- and M-Class have each passed more than 200 high-speed in-house crash tests and more than 5,000 numerical crash test simulations.”



In related news, the Automotive Safety Council this week presented Schöneburg with the Pathfinder Award, in recognition of his contributions toward improving vehicle safety.

For more information about Mercedes-Benz safety features, including Active Blind Spot Assist (highlighted in video above), click here.