New safety systems for Mercedes-Benz

New safety systems that actively prevent cars from straying into the paths of other vehicles will become available on top-end Mercedes-Benz models this autumn.

They are called Active Blind Spot Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist, and will initially be available on revised S-Class and CL models plus the E-Class family. They will come as a package for £2020.

Both are extensions of systems already available on a number of Mercedes cars.

At the moment there is a blind spot monitor, which flashes a red triangle in the door mirror if a driver is about to stray into the path of an overtaking car, and a lane-change warning that vibrates the steering wheel if the driver changes course without first putting on the indicators.

Systems can operate brakes
The big difference is that the new active systems apply the brakes on one side of the car to bring it back onto a straight course if there is a risk of a collision. The driver will still be given warnings as at present.

Active Blind Spot Assist
The active blind spot feature operates at speeds of between 20- and 125mph, although the flashing triangle will be given right up the car’s maximum speed of 155mph.

Active Lane Change Assist
The active lane-change system works between 35- and 125mph, as long as there is a solid white line on one side of the car and a dotted line on the other. It cuts in if there is a gradual drift off-course so that it will not, for instance, prevent the driver from suddenly swerving to avoid a cyclist or pedestrian.

Both new active features are linked to the anti-lock braking system and rely on information supplied either by short-range sensors in the sides of the car or a camera inside the windscreen.

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