The 2009 Mercedes-Benz E Class, part of the W211 generation, was engineered with a strong emphasis on occupant safety, particularly in side impact collisions. This commitment is reflected in the side impact crash test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This article delves into the safety performance of the 2009 Mercedes E Class, analyzing the IIHS side impact test results to provide a comprehensive understanding of its safety capabilities.
Initially tested in 2007, the Mercedes E Class underwent rigorous evaluation to assess its side impact protection. The first test of the 2007 model year resulted in an “Acceptable” rating. This initial rating was primarily attributed to elevated forces recorded on the driver dummy’s torso, indicating a potential area for improvement.
Mercedes-Benz responded by implementing design enhancements to the front door trim panels in models manufactured after May 2007. These modifications were specifically aimed at bolstering occupant protection in side impact scenarios. To evaluate the effectiveness of these changes, the IIHS conducted a subsequent test on a Mercedes E Class incorporating the improved design.
While the re-test demonstrated a reduction in the forces exerted on the driver dummy’s torso, this improvement was not substantial enough to elevate the torso injury rating or the overall vehicle rating. Consequently, the safety ratings for the 2007-09 Mercedes E Class models are based on the combined results of both the initial and subsequent tests.
The IIHS employs a standardized rating system to categorize vehicle performance in crash tests. The ratings range from “Good” (G), “Acceptable” (A), “Marginal” (M), to “Poor” (P). In the side impact evaluation, the 2009 Mercedes E Class achieved an overall rating of “Acceptable.” A detailed breakdown of the evaluation criteria and corresponding ratings is provided below:
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | A |
| Structure and safety cage | A |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | M |
| Pelvis/leg | A |
| Driver head protection | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/leg | G |
| Rear passenger head protection | G |
The table above illustrates that while the overall side impact rating for the 2009 Mercedes E Class is “Acceptable,” the vehicle demonstrates “Good” protection for the head and neck regions for both the driver and rear passenger. However, the driver’s torso received a “Marginal” rating, highlighting it as the most vulnerable area in the side impact scenario. Protection for the pelvis and leg area for the driver was rated “Acceptable,” while the rear passenger showed “Good” protection across all measured body regions. The structural integrity and safety cage of the 2009 E Class were also rated as “Acceptable,” indicating a generally robust design.
To provide a deeper technical understanding, the IIHS also publishes detailed measurements from the crash tests. These measurements offer insights into occupant compartment intrusion and specific injury measures recorded on the crash test dummies.
Occupant Compartment Intrusion on Driver Side (cm)
| Test ID | CES0630 | CES0719 |
|---|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat | -7.5 | -9.0 |
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.
This data reveals the extent of intrusion into the occupant compartment on the driver’s side during the two tests (CES0630 and CES0719). The negative values indicate that the structural deformation stopped short of the driver’s seat centerline, suggesting effective containment of the crash forces.
Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CES0630 |
| Head HIC-15 | 132 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.9 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.3 |
| Shoulder Lateral deflection (mm) | 42 |
| Shoulder Lateral force (kN) | 1.7 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 53 |
| Torso Average deflection (mm) | 46 |
| Torso Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 5.19 |
| Torso Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 1.33 |
| Pelvis Iliac force (kN) | 3.1 |
| Pelvis Acetabulum force (kN) | 2.5 |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 5.5 |
| Left Femur L-M force (kN) | 0.5 |
| Left Femur L-M moment (Nm) | 147 |
| Left Femur A-P moment (Nm) | 52 |
The driver injury measures provide detailed readings from sensors placed on the crash test dummy. HIC-15 refers to Head Injury Criterion, a measure of head injury risk. Lower values are better. The table also presents measurements for neck tension and compression, shoulder deflection and force, torso deflection, pelvis forces, and femur forces and moments. These technical measurements are used by engineers to assess the biomechanical response of the dummy and predict potential injury risks.
Passenger Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CES0630 |
| Head HIC-15 | 42 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.2 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 1.0 |
| Shoulder Lateral deflection (mm) | 15 |
| Shoulder Lateral force (kN) | 0.9 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 31 |
| Torso Average deflection (mm) | 26 |
| Torso Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 2.59 |
| Torso Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.32 |
| Pelvis Iliac force (kN) | 0.5 |
| Pelvis Acetabulum force (kN) | 2.5 |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 2.8 |
| Left Femur L-M force (kN) | 0.7 |
| Left Femur L-M moment (Nm) | 88 |
| Left Femur A-P moment (Nm) | -25 |
Similarly, passenger injury measures detail the sensor readings for the rear passenger dummy. Notably, the head HIC-15 values are significantly lower for the rear passenger compared to the driver, indicating a lower risk of head injury in side impacts for rear occupants in the 2009 Mercedes E Class. Overall, the passenger injury measures are generally lower than those for the driver, suggesting a higher level of protection for rear occupants in side impact crashes.
In conclusion, the 2009 Mercedes E Class provides “Acceptable” overall side impact protection according to IIHS testing. While it offers “Good” protection for head and neck injuries for both driver and rear passengers, and for rear passenger torso and pelvis/leg, the driver torso protection is rated as “Marginal.” Prospective buyers and owners can use this information to understand the side impact safety performance of the 2009 Mercedes E Class and consider it in their vehicle safety assessments.
