The 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, specifically models manufactured after December 2002, represents a significant milestone in vehicle safety. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rigorously tested this model, putting its crashworthiness to the test in a 40 mph frontal offset crash. This evaluation is crucial for understanding how well the Mercedes-Benz E 2006 protects its occupants in a serious frontal collision.
The IIHS conducted a frontal offset crash test on a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E 500 4-door, which is representative of the 2003-2006 models built after December 2002. These models incorporated structural enhancements designed to improve occupant protection in such demanding crash scenarios. It’s important to note that the manufacturing date can be found on the certification label located on or near the driver’s side door.
Excellent “Good” Rating for Overall Safety
The Mercedes-Benz E 2006 achieved the highest possible overall rating of “Good” in this challenging frontal offset crash test. This rating signifies that the vehicle provides a high level of protection to its occupants in this type of accident. Let’s break down the key evaluation criteria:
- Overall Evaluation: G (Good)
This top-tier “Good” rating reflects the vehicle’s robust performance across all critical aspects of the crash test.
Robust Structure and Safety Cage
- Structure and safety cage: G (Good)
A “Good” rating for structure and safety cage is fundamental to occupant protection. It indicates that the structural integrity of the Mercedes-Benz E 2006 was maintained exceptionally well during the crash. This means the passenger compartment effectively resisted deformation, providing a safe space for the occupants.
Driver Injury Measures: Comprehensive Protection
The crash test dummy, representing a driver, was equipped with sensors to measure potential injury levels in various body regions. The Mercedes-Benz E 2006 demonstrated “Good” ratings across all driver injury measures:
- Driver injury measures:
- Head/neck: G (Good)
- Chest: G (Good)
- Leg/foot, left: G (Good)
- Leg/foot, right: G (Good)
These “Good” ratings signify a low risk of significant injuries to the head, neck, chest, legs, and feet for the driver in a frontal offset crash of this severity. This is a testament to the effective design and engineering of the Mercedes-Benz E 2006 in terms of occupant protection.
Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics: Acceptable Performance
- Driver restraints and dummy kinematics: A (Acceptable)
While the majority of ratings were “Good,” the driver restraints and dummy kinematics received an “Acceptable” rating. The IIHS noted that dummy movement was reasonably well-controlled. However, during rebound, the dummy’s head moved partway out the open window and contacted the B-pillar and window frame. Despite this contact, it’s important to note that the head acceleration from this impact was measured as low, minimizing the risk of serious head injury.
This image captures the Mercedes-Benz E 2006 during the frontal offset crash test, providing a visual representation of the forces involved and the vehicle’s structural response.
This image illustrates the position of the crash test dummy relative to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the impact. It clearly shows that the driver’s survival space was remarkably well-maintained, a critical factor in preventing serious injuries.
The greasepaint on the dummy’s head in this image highlights the point of contact with the B-pillar and window frame during the rebound phase of the crash. While contact occurred, the low head acceleration measured indicates that the risk of significant head injury from this specific event was minimal.
This image visually confirms the sensor readings that indicated low forces on the dummy’s legs and feet during the crash. This is a positive sign, suggesting a reduced risk of lower extremity injuries in a real-world frontal offset collision.
Technical Measurements: Intrusion and Injury Data
The technical measurements from the crash test provide objective data to support the ratings.
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CEF0308 |
| Footwell intrusion | |
| Footrest (cm) | 3 |
| Left (cm) | 7 |
| Center (cm) | 9 |
| Right (cm) | 4 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 5 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement | |
| Left (cm) | 0 |
| Right (cm) | 0 |
| Steering column movement | |
| Upward (cm) | 1 |
| Rearward (cm) | -2 |
| A-pillar rearward movement (cm) | 1 |
These intrusion measurements show the extent of deformation in the driver’s side occupant compartment. Lower numbers generally indicate better structural performance and less intrusion into the survival space. The measurements for the Mercedes-Benz E 2006 demonstrate limited intrusion, further supporting the “Good” rating for structure.
Driver injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CEF0308 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 230 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | 40 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.4 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 24 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.30 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 35 |
| Legs | |
| Femur force – left (kN) | 2.8 |
| Femur force – right (kN) | 2.4 |
| Knee displacement – left (mm) | 0 |
| Knee displacement – right (mm) | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index – left | 0.45 |
| Maximum tibia index – right | 0.71 |
| Tibia axial force – left (kN) | 1.7 |
| Tibia axial force – right (kN) | 3.8 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 48 |
| Right | 60 |
These injury measures provide specific data on the forces and accelerations experienced by the crash test dummy in critical body regions. Lower values generally indicate lower risk of injury. The measurements for the Mercedes-Benz E 2006 are well within acceptable limits, reinforcing the “Good” ratings for driver injury measures.
Conclusion: A Safe Choice in its Class
The IIHS crash test results for the Mercedes-Benz E 2006 (models built after December 2002) clearly demonstrate its strong safety performance in a frontal offset crash. Achieving an overall “Good” rating, with “Good” ratings in structure, safety cage, and driver injury measures, underscores the vehicle’s commitment to occupant protection. While the restraint system received an “Acceptable” rating due to head contact with the B-pillar, the low head acceleration mitigates concern. Overall, the Mercedes-Benz E 2006 stands out as a safe and reliable vehicle in its class, offering excellent protection in frontal collisions based on the rigorous IIHS testing.
