All occupants protected by inertia-reel seat belts and head restraints
Apart from two-stage front airbags, sidebags and windowbags plus high-performance belt tensioners and adaptive belt force limiters (in the front), the comprehensive passenger protection system showcased in the new E-Class comprises the following components:
- Inertia-reel seat belts for all five seats form the basis for the all-round restraint system. Driver and front-seat passenger are able to manually adjust the height of their seatbelts to one of five locking positions, while the seat belts for the outer seats in the rear feature automatic height adjustment.
- The standard specification also comprises head restraints for all seats. Thanks to their pivoting axes, the faces of the head restraints can be adjusted and tilted forwards to an angle of up to 30 degrees. This technology permits individual tilt adjustment whilst also ensuring that the restraint can be positioned as close to the head as possible. The head restraints in the front have a height adjustment range of 85 millimetres, while those in the rear can be adjusted through 50 millimetres. Should the head restraints in the rear not be required, they can be folded down either manually or pneumatically by pressing a button on the dashboard.
- Integral child seats are available as an option for the rear seats. They can then be folded out of the seat cushion at the touch of a button, allowing two to twelve-year-olds to be strapped in using the standard three-point inertia-reel seat belts, whose height automatically adjusts to suit smaller passengers. An extra padded play table, designed for youngsters aged between two and four, provides extra restraint and supports the upper body of children in an accident. The standardised ISOFIX fastening system is also available for the rear seats. Various child seats can then be fitted by means of strong plug connectors which are firmly anchored in the bodyshell.
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