Merc safety technology fails

Brake radar fails to prevent televised crash

Mercedes S Class - expensive

Mercedes is not alone in trumpeting the importance of its safety technology as fitted to the latest S-Class but does make the most noise about it -- and it has made the biggest public blunder.

A German TV channel, Stern TV, got itself a scoop recently when Mercedes brought three of its range-topping cars for a demonstration of its safety radar, which is designed to ensure that, when the car in front brakes hard, so does yours. You won't rear-end anyone, is the claim.

Sadly, that's exactly what happened. The £50,000+ cars crashed into each other when Mercedes put the three cars in line astern and got the first to brake heavily. The two behind didn't stop, with obvious results.

One German news site said that Mercedes security engineers rooted out the problem quickly: the test was conducted in a hall constructed of steel which confused the radar. The system didn't work as it should have done -- and as a result, over £150,000-worth of shiny new luxo-barge looks a bit textured.

Mercedes said that the system "works perfectly in all other circumstances" but, if you ever drive one under cover -- the Channel Tunnel shuttle comes to mind -- you'd best keep that left foot hovering over the brake pedal.

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martaay

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