|
Front and side impact rating |
 |
|
|
|
|
Test Scores: Front 14(88%) Side 17(94%) Belt Reminder 2 Overall 33
|
|
|
|
Extra points
awarded for the way that the C-class reminds its passengers to buckle
their seat belts have now made it the second car ever to gain a
five-star crash protection rating. Results for the C-class were
published last year and it achieved four stars. But Euro NCAP has
since changed its scoring system to encourage car makers to fit
seat-belt warnings. Generally, the C-class proved to be a strong car
that protected its occupants. The driver's door could be opened
normally after the frontal impact. The head airbag curtain provided
cushioning but did not deploy fully. Testers felt this could increase
injury risks for some other types of accidents. |
Impact
Protection
|
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
Driver Front
Impact |
Passenger
Front Impact |
Driver Side
Impact |
|
Frontal
Impact
|
|
|
The driver's head
and chest were well restrained by the belt and the airbag. However,
his chest was subjected to high forces. Mercedes' under-fascia design
was praised for the way it moves potential hazards away from the
driver's legs. The footwell withstood the impact well, and the pedals
moved only by a small amount. The centre rear seat was fitted with a
three-point belt as standard. This is safer than a two-point belt.
|
Side Impact
|
|
|
|
Mercedes fits
door-mounted airbags to protect the driver's chest, abdomen and
pelvis. These worked satisfactorily but forced his arm rapidly
upwards. An airbag curtain deployed o protect the heads of front and
rear passengers. This worked but did not fully open. Experts feared
that in other situations it might not do its job. |
Child
Restraint
|
|
|
|
A passenger airbag
is standard, posing a risk to children in rear facing restraints
fitted on to the front passenger's seat. Only a poor pictogram and a
removable label on the windscreen were present to warn of this danger.
Neither explained the risk of serious injury or death. Mercedes said
it would improve the labelling. The restraints protected well in the
frontal impact but the webbing of the adult belt was partially severed
by the restraint's guide. |
Pedestrian
Protection
|
|
|
|
Protection was
assessed using the old procedure and the C-class has not been
re-tested using the new one. For that reason, the car's performance is
not assessed here. |
Model
history and safety equipment
|
|
|
|
The new C-class was
launched during October 2000. Standard equipment includes intelligent
seat belt reminder system for driver and front passenger, dual-stage
frontal airbags for driver and front passenger, thoracic side airbags,
head protection airbag (curtain), belt pre-tensioners and load
limiters for front and rear outer seats, has three-point centre belt.
Brake Assist, ESP and ABS are also fitted. |
|
Make, model and
hand of drive |
Mercedes-Benz
C-Class C180 LHD |
|
Body type |
4-door saloon |
|
Model year |
2001/2002 |
|
Kerb weight |
1455 kg |
|
VIN and date
when rating applies |
WDB203XXXXA401701 & F307988 |
|
Cars built on
the same platform |
none |
|
