2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK safety

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK safety

The third generation of Mercedes’ popular roadster, the SLK, is just around the corner, scheduled for a debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show next March to be exact. We’ve already seen hordes of spy shots, some of which have been very revealing, and Mercedes, too, has offered us a glimpse of the car, detailing its new Magic Sky Control roof system for example.

Now the automaker is revealing even more of its upcoming roadster, boasting that the vehicle will set new safety standards for open-top sports cars.

The new 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK will make use of a whole host of the latest assistance systems to support the driver, including the drowsiness detection system ATTENTION ASSIST, the occupant protection system PRE-SAFE, and the PRE-SAFE Brake, which can apply the brakes autonomously in the event of an impending front-end collision.

The most interesting of these is the new PRE-SAFE occupant protection system. If the system detects an impending risk of an accident, it reflexively activates precautionary protective measures for the vehicle occupants, so that the seat belts and airbags can provide maximum protection during an impact. Mercedes-Benz developed PRE-SAFE on the basis of research into actual accidents, and is the only manufacturer in the world to offer such a system.

In the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK, additional post-crash measures will also supplement the PRE-SAFE system to enable prompt assistance after an accident has occurred. Depending on the damage, the interior lighting can be switched on automatically, the side windows can be opened by two inches, to provide better ventilation in the interior, and in vehicles with memory seats the steering wheel can be moved upwards.

Additional safety measures include adaptive bi-xenon headlights, a reinforced bodyshell, and a new headbag, which provides generous lateral protection for the head during an impact.

We'll keep you posted as the Geneva show draws nearer, but until then, keep up-to-date by visiting our previous spy shots story here.

[Mercedes-Benz]