The Mercedes-Benz E-Class, a hallmark of luxury and engineering, underwent a redesign in 1996, setting new standards for its class. For those considering a Mercedes 2000 Model, understanding its safety features is paramount. This article delves into the frontal crash test evaluations conducted on the E-Class, specifically focusing on the improvements implemented in the Mercedes 2000 model year and beyond.
Enhanced Safety in the Mercedes 2000 Model E-Class
Significant structural enhancements were introduced to the Mercedes-Benz E-Class starting with models manufactured after January 1997 to bolster occupant protection in frontal collisions. Further advancements were incorporated in Mercedes 2000 model E-Class vehicles produced after January 2000. It’s crucial to check the certification label, typically located on or near the driver’s side door, to determine the manufacturing date of a specific vehicle.
2000-2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Frontal Crash Test Results
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducted a moderate overlap frontal crash test on a 2001 Mercedes-Benz E 430 4-door to assess the effectiveness of these structural upgrades. The evaluation criteria and results are detailed below:
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Leg/foot, left | G |
| Leg/foot, right | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
The “Good” (G) rating across all categories indicates a high level of protection for the driver in a frontal crash scenario for the Mercedes 2000 model and subsequent models built with these structural improvements.
Action shot during a frontal offset crash test of a Mercedes-Benz E430 2001 model, demonstrating vehicle deformation.
Post-crash dummy position inside a Mercedes-Benz E430 2001, illustrating well-maintained driver survival space.
Driver’s side footwell of a Mercedes-Benz E430 2001 after a crash test, showing minimal intrusion and maintained integrity.
Close-up of the Mercedes-Benz E430 2001 safety cage post-crash, highlighting energy absorption and structural integrity.
Technical measurements from the 2001 Mercedes-Benz E 430 test:
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side)
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CF00027 |
| Footwell intrusion | |
| Footrest (cm) | 13 |
| Left (cm) | 11 |
| Center (cm) | 14 |
| Right (cm) | 9 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 8 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement | |
| Left (cm) | 2 |
| Right (cm) | 1 |
| Steering column movement | |
| Upward (cm) | 5 |
| Rearward (cm) | -4 |
| A-pillar rearward movement (cm) | 1 |
Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CF00027 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 206 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | negligible |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.8 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 40 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.53 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 28 |
| Legs | |
| Femur force – left (kN) | 6.1 |
| Femur force – right (kN) | 4.0 |
| Knee displacement – left (mm) | 11 |
| Knee displacement – right (mm) | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index – left | 0.69 |
| Maximum tibia index – right | 0.70 |
| Tibia axial force – left (kN) | 2.4 |
| Tibia axial force – right (kN) | 3.1 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 99 |
| Right | 77 |
These measurements confirm minimal intrusion into the driver’s space and low injury measures, reinforcing the “Good” overall rating for the Mercedes 2000 model E-Class and later models.
Earlier Mercedes E-Class Models (1997-2000, Before February 2000)
It’s important to note that earlier models within the same generation, specifically 1997-2000 E-Class models manufactured after January 1997 but before February 2000, also incorporated initial structural changes. However, crash test results for these slightly older models differ.
1997-2000 (Pre-February 2000) Mercedes-Benz E-Class Frontal Crash Test Results
A 1997 Mercedes-Benz E 420 4-door, representing these earlier models with the first set of structural changes, was also evaluated in a 40 mph frontal offset crash test.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | A |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Leg/foot, left | G |
| Leg/foot, right | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | P |
While the structure and safety cage received a “Good” rating, the overall evaluation was “Acceptable” (A) due to “Poor” (P) rating for Driver restraints and dummy kinematics. The key issue was the driver door opening during the crash, a significant safety concern.
Crash test image of a Mercedes-Benz E420 1997 model during a frontal offset impact, capturing structural deformation.
Mercedes-Benz E420 1997 post-crash, showing maintained survival space yet highlighting the opened driver door.
Energy-absorbing padding in the footwell of a Mercedes-Benz E420 1997, designed for leg protection in frontal impacts.
Close-up of the opened driver door on a Mercedes-Benz E420 1997 after a crash test, indicating a potential safety risk.
Technical measurements from the 1997 Mercedes-Benz E 420 test:
Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side)
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CF97005 |
| Footwell intrusion | |
| Footrest (cm) | 14 |
| Left (cm) | 19 |
| Center (cm) | 17 |
| Right (cm) | 13 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 15 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement | |
| Left (cm) | 5 |
| Right (cm) | 3 |
| Steering column movement | |
| Upward (cm) | 10 |
| Rearward (cm) | 3 |
| A-pillar rearward movement (cm) | 9 |
Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CF97005 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 305 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | 29 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 2.0 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 19 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.37 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 35 |
| Legs | |
| Femur force – left (kN) | 5.5 |
| Femur force – right (kN) | 3.2 |
| Knee displacement – left (mm) | 5 |
| Knee displacement – right (mm) | 2 |
| Maximum tibia index – left | 0.33 |
| Maximum tibia index – right | 0.43 |
| Tibia axial force – left (kN) | 0.6 |
| Tibia axial force – right (kN) | 0.6 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 76 |
| Right | 68 |
These measurements show higher intrusion levels compared to the later Mercedes 2000 model, along with the critical issue of the driver door opening, which contributed to the lower overall safety rating.
Conclusion: Mercedes 2000 Model E-Class Safety Advancement
For prospective buyers interested in a Mercedes 2000 model E-Class, it’s evident that models manufactured after January 2000 represent a significant step forward in frontal crash safety. The “Good” rating in the IIHS moderate overlap frontal test, compared to the “Acceptable” rating of earlier models, highlights the effectiveness of the structural improvements implemented. When considering a used Mercedes-Benz E-Class of this era, verifying the manufacturing date can provide valuable insight into its expected safety performance in frontal collisions.
