The Mercedes-Benz E-Class, including the high-performance E55 AMG variant, has long been synonymous with luxury and performance. But how does the 2005 model, part of the redesigned 2003-2006 generation, hold up in terms of safety? Specifically, models manufactured after December 2002 incorporated structural enhancements aimed at bolstering occupant protection in frontal offset collisions. Let’s delve into the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash test results for this generation of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
The IIHS conducted a rigorous 40 mph frontal offset crash test on a Mercedes-Benz E 500, representative of the structural improvements made to the E-Class range, which would also apply to the 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E55 AMG. This test evaluates how well the vehicle protects occupants in a common type of serious accident.
The results are categorized by various evaluation criteria, providing a comprehensive safety overview:
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Leg/foot, left | G |
| Leg/foot, right | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | A |
The ratings scale used by IIHS ranges from “Good” (G), “Acceptable” (A), “Marginal” (M), to “Poor” (P). As you can see, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class achieved a “Good” overall evaluation, the highest possible rating. Crucially, the “Structure and safety cage” also earned a “Good” rating, indicating that the structural integrity of the vehicle held up well during the impact.
Action shot from the frontal offset crash test, demonstrating the impact on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class structure.
In terms of driver injury measures, the E-Class demonstrated “Good” protection across all areas assessed – head/neck, chest, and legs/feet. This signifies a low risk of significant injuries to the driver in a similar frontal offset crash.
However, the “Driver restraints and dummy kinematics” received an “Acceptable” rating. The IIHS noted that while dummy movement was generally well-controlled, during rebound, the dummy’s head moved partially out of the open window, contacting the B-pillar and window frame.
Post-crash test, the dummy’s position confirms that the driver’s survival space was effectively maintained within the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
Grease paint on the B-pillar and window frame indicates where the dummy’s head made contact during rebound.
Despite the head contact, measurements indicated that head acceleration from this impact was low, mitigating potential injury severity.
Low forces recorded on the dummy’s legs and feet suggest a minimal likelihood of significant lower extremity injuries.
Detailed technical measurements further quantify the E-Class’s crash performance. Key metrics include occupant compartment intrusion and driver injury measures.
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Footwell intrusion | |
| Footrest (cm) | 3 |
| Left (cm) | 7 |
| Center (cm) | 9 |
| Right (cm) | 4 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 5 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement | |
| Left (cm) | 0 |
| Right (cm) | 0 |
| Steering column movement | |
| Upward (cm) | 1 |
| Rearward (cm) | -2 |
| A-pillar rearward movement (cm) | 1 |
These intrusion measurements, recorded in centimeters, reveal the extent to which the occupant compartment was compromised in the crash. Lower numbers generally indicate better structural performance.
Driver injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 230 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | 40 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.4 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 24 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.30 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 35 |
| Legs | |
| Femur force – left (kN) | 2.8 |
| Femur force – right (kN) | 2.4 |
| Knee displacement – left (mm) | 0 |
| Knee displacement – right (mm) | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index – left | 0.45 |
| Maximum tibia index – right | 0.71 |
| Tibia axial force – left (kN) | 1.7 |
| Tibia axial force – right (kN) | 3.8 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 48 |
| Right | 60 |
These driver injury measurements provide specific data points related to potential injury risk. For instance, HIC (Head Injury Criterion) values, chest compression, and femur forces are all indicators used to assess the likelihood of injuries to these body regions. Lower values in these measurements generally correlate with better occupant protection.
In conclusion, the IIHS crash test results demonstrate that the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, including models like the 2005 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG which benefits from the same structural design, offers a high level of safety in frontal offset collisions. While there was head contact with the B-pillar during rebound, overall injury measures remained low, and the vehicle maintained its structural integrity effectively. This data provides valuable insights for those considering a 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class or E55 AMG, highlighting its safety alongside its renowned performance and luxury.
