The Mercedes-Benz E-Class, a symbol of luxury and engineering, underwent significant redesigns for the 2010 model year. Specifically for models manufactured after April 2010, Mercedes-Benz implemented design enhancements to the front and rear door trim of the E-Class to bolster occupant safety during side-impact collisions. This article delves into the side impact crash test results for the Benz E Class 2010, providing a detailed analysis of its safety performance based on evaluations conducted on a 2010 Mercedes-Benz E 350 4-door model.
IIHS Side Impact Evaluation for Benz E Class 2010
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducted rigorous side impact testing on the benz e class 2010 to assess its structural integrity and occupant protection capabilities. The tested vehicle was equipped with standard front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags, crucial safety features for mitigating injury in side collisions.
“Good” Overall Safety Rating
The benz e class 2010 achieved an overall evaluation of “Good” in the side impact test, the highest rating awarded by the IIHS. This rating signifies that the vehicle provides a high level of protection to occupants in the event of a side impact crash.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/leg | G |
| Driver head protection | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/leg | G |
| Rear passenger head protection | G |
This table summarizes the “Good” ratings (G) across all evaluated categories, including structural performance, driver and rear passenger injury measures, and head protection. The consistent “Good” ratings demonstrate the comprehensive safety design of the benz e class 2010 in side impact scenarios.
Structural Performance and Occupant Compartment
The structure and safety cage of the benz e class 2010 also received a “Good” rating. This indicates that the vehicle’s structural design effectively maintained its integrity during the side impact test, minimizing intrusion into the occupant compartment and reducing the risk of injury.
Vehicle and crash barrier just after side impact test of a 2010 Mercedes Benz E Class.
Post-crash view of the 2010 Benz E Class with doors removed, highlighting side airbag deployment and damage to the occupant area.
These images illustrate the controlled deformation of the vehicle structure and the effective deployment of side airbags, both contributing to the high safety rating of the benz e class 2010.
Injury Measures and Airbag Effectiveness
The crash test results further break down injury measures for both the driver and rear passenger dummies, each receiving “Good” ratings for head/neck, torso, and pelvis/leg protection. This consistent performance across different body regions underscores the effectiveness of the benz e class 2010‘s safety systems in minimizing potential injuries. Notably, both driver and rear passenger head protection were also rated “Good,” directly attributable to the proper functioning of the side airbags.
Grease paint on driver dummy’s head shows protection from hard structures by side airbags in 2010 Mercedes E Class crash test.
Rear passenger dummy head protection indicated by grease paint, confirming side airbag effectiveness in the 2010 E Class side impact test.
The grease paint analysis confirms that the side airbags effectively prevented the dummies’ heads from contacting hard structures during the impact, a critical factor in preventing head injuries.
Technical Measurements from the Side Impact Test
Beyond the qualitative ratings, the IIHS crash test also involved precise technical measurements to quantify the vehicle’s performance and injury metrics.
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side)
| Test ID | CES1002 |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat (cm) | -24.0 |
The intrusion measurement at the B-pillar (-24.0 cm) indicates the extent of occupant compartment deformation. The negative value signifies that the crush stopped short of the driver’s seat centerline, reflecting good structural resistance and space preservation for the driver.
Driver and Passenger Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement | Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test ID | CES1002 | Test ID | CES1002 |
| Driver Injury Measures | Passenger Injury Measures | ||
| Head HIC-15 | 177 | Head HIC-15 | 82 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.0 | Neck Tension (kN) | 0.4 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.4 | Neck Compression (kN) | 0.3 |
| Shoulder Lateral deflection (mm) | 37 | Shoulder Lateral deflection (mm) | 17 |
| Shoulder Lateral force (kN) | 1.6 | Shoulder Lateral force (kN) | 1.3 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 38 | Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 28 |
| Torso Average deflection (mm) | 32 | Torso Average deflection (mm) | 20 |
| Torso Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 2.85 | Torso Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 2.79 |
| Torso Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.51 | Torso Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.31 |
| Pelvis Iliac force (kN) | 1.9 | Pelvis Iliac force (kN) | 0.6 |
| Pelvis Acetabulum force (kN) | 2.0 | Pelvis Acetabulum force (kN) | 1.8 |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 3.7 | Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 2.3 |
| Left femur L-M force (kN) | 0.1 | Left femur L-M force (kN) | 0.3 |
| Left femur L-M moment (Nm) | 80 | Left femur L-M moment (Nm) | 40 |
| Left femur A-P moment (Nm) | 36 | Left femur A-P moment (Nm) | -38 |
These detailed measurements provide a comprehensive view of the forces and deflections experienced by the crash test dummies. Lower values generally indicate better performance and reduced risk of injury. For instance, the Head Injury Criterion (HIC-15) scores for both driver and passenger are well below the threshold for serious head injury, reinforcing the effectiveness of head protection in the benz e class 2010.
Conclusion: Benz E Class 2010 – A Safe Choice
The IIHS side impact crash test results for the benz e class 2010 demonstrate its robust safety design and effective occupant protection systems. The “Good” overall rating and consistently positive performance across all evaluation metrics confirm that the benz e class 2010 is a safe vehicle choice in terms of side impact protection. For consumers considering a benz e class 2010 or evaluating its safety features, these results provide valuable insights and assurance.
