In 1959 when Volvo introduced the three-point seatbelt, few people ever knew how much of an essential it would become. In fact, people at the time were marching around chanting that it was a violation against human rights (how times have changed!)
Alongside Volvo, Mercedes has also been one of the more prominent manufacturers when it comes to encouraging safety features in the automotive world. The one model from the Stuttgart brand that consistently stood out in this area the most was the big boss of the Benz range: the S-Class.
The S-Class, for as long as it has taken, has always been the car to look at when predicting what average family run-arounds would feature as standard in the not-too-distant future. Here's a list of five of the most revolutionary to look out for.
Image: Daimler Global Media
Rear seat airbags
Image: Daimler Global Media.
This is huge. So huge in fact, that after discovering it, my mind was completely boggled in terms of how or even why other manufacturers didn't come up with the idea before.
In simple terms, there's an airbag that deploys from the back of the front seat to cushion the rear passenger in the event of an accident. Previously, there were ones hidden in the side pillars, but never ones that were directly in front of the rear occupants.
This is surely the biggest invention thought of by a brand in the modern era. Although I can imagine the cost of a replacement front seat won't be particularly affordable to most people...
2. 'Pre-Safe' function
Image: Daimler Global Media.
This has previously been seen on the Audi A8, but it seems that the S-Class is the only other car that's really adapted the new technology. In the Benz, the feature is controlled by their 'E-Active' body control system.
I find it hard to understand why others haven't immediately adopted the feature; because it's pretty intelligent stuff.
In the event of a side impact from another car, the big Merc will lift itself, acting as a sort-of bracing position before the hit actually happens. It's quite human-like in the sense that it will prepare itself for a shunt as it sees it coming.
3. Blind spot ambient lights
Image: Daimler Global Media.
Granted, this sort of thing has been seen across the industry in recent times, but the one seen in the new S-Class is particularly interesting as the ambient lighting strips literally change colour as soon as a hazard is detected.
For example, if someone went to open the door while a cyclist was zooming closely towards the car, the strip of light would flash in red to warn the occupant. I don't know about you, but I find this to be rather cool. A techy gimmick kind-of cool, sure. But cool nevertheless.
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Mind you, wouldn't it be a little easier to check your mirrors and look around? Perhaps potential dangers are becoming more forgotten these days, given we have so much more technology to prevent it? Hmm.
4. Advanced rear-wheel steering
Image: Daimler Global Media.
Rear wheel steering has been around for years, but only recently with the S-Class and indeed the Audi A8 has it been developed to the point where it makes a bigger difference than Red Leicester to Cheddar.
Mercedes say that with the 'Rear Axle' steering, the turning radius is reduced by up to two metres. So, in supermarket car parks, the big limousine should - in theory - have a roughly similar turning radius to a Ford Focus.
Given that cars have grown so large to the point where even a base Mini is a stupidly enormous thing, I believe that this can only be a good thing. If the actual size of cars can't be reduced due to safety and legal restrictions, then at least manufacturers could do their best to ensure cars take up the least amount of road space as possible.
5. Remote home controls
A lot of variables apply to this feature, so let's run it down in plain and simple terms. (Image: Daimler Global Media).
Want to control the heating temperature of your own house while on the move? The S-Class can do that. Ever forgotten to turn off the hallway light before you locked the front door? The S-Class can remotely turn it off.
Of course, this all depends on what kind of smart home system you have installed in your house. The car won't turn on/off your 20-year old chandelier, but modern home energy systems are said to be compatible with the S-Class' infotainment system.
As mad and gimmicky as it sounds, this could may well revolutionise the way we live our lives on the road. This technology could die off as a result of miscommunication. But if it works, us humans would no longer have to worry about turning back after 10 minutes to turn off our radiators before going away for the weekend. This is a complete game-changer!
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