2014 Mercedes-Benz S Class' Autonomous Steering Tested Page 2

By Viknesh Vijayenthiran

Viknesh Vijayenthiran

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Vik is an Editor at High Gear Media and contributor for a number of sites within the High Gear Media network. He was a co-founder of Motor Authority... More

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2014 Mercedes-Benz S Class technology

Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Assist: Mercedes’ Brake Assist system can already detect if a crash is eminent with an object in front, and if necessary boost the braking power applied by the driver accordingly. Now, for the first time, it is able to detect cross traffic and also pedestrians.

Once again, using the simulator, we found that the system can detect impending danger long before a human can react. Probably the best example of a situation the system can help avoid is driving into a junction where another car has run through a red light or when a pedestrian suddenly jumps onto the road.

Pre-Safe Brake: This feature can now detect pedestrians and initiate autonomous braking, stopping the vehicle completely from speeds up to 31 mph.

Pre-Safe Plus: This can recognize an imminent rear-end collision, prompting the Pre-Safe system to trigger occupant protection measures. It can also firmly apply the stationary vehicle's brakes in the event of a rear-end collision to prevent secondary accidents.

Pre-Safe Impulse: With this, the driver and front passenger are pulled away from the direction of impact by their seat belts at an early phase of the crash before the resulting occupant deceleration starts to increase. This can substantially reduce the risk and severity of injuries in a frontal collision.

Active Lane Keeping Assist: This existing feature can now detect oncoming traffic and when it detects a vehicle is crossing a center line, applies the brakes via the stability control system to bring the car back in the intended direction. It can detect lane markings that use solid and broken lines.

Attention Assist: This can warn of inattentiveness and drowsiness in an extended speed range and notify the driver of their current state of fatigue and the driving time since the last break, as well as offering an adjustable sensitivity setting.

Headlights from the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S Class

Enlarge Photo

There are also some new Night View Assist Plus features that will be announced closer to the new S Class’ launch mid next year. One will be a feature that can alert the driver to the potential danger posed by pedestrians or animals in unlit areas in front of the vehicle by automatically switching from the speedometer display to a crystal-sharp night view image and highlighting the source of danger. A spotlight function is furthermore able to flash at pedestrians detected ahead.

This is all made possible by the new LED headlights that will feature as standard on the 2014 S Class. In fact, every light on the car will be LED-based.

Unfortunately for the U.S., many of these light features won't be available due to local regulations that don't allow headlights to have both low and high beams active simultaneously. Many automakers, including Mercedes-Benz, are fighting to have these regulations changed, however.

For more on the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S Class, including some details of its interior, be sure to check our previous spy shots post.