The 1997 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, a vehicle from the esteemed German manufacturer, underwent a significant redesign in 1996, marking a new era for this popular luxury car. For models manufactured between January 1997 and February 2000, Mercedes-Benz implemented structural enhancements aimed at improving occupant protection in frontal collisions. This article delves into the safety performance of the 1997 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, specifically focusing on the results of a frontal offset crash test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
The IIHS evaluated a 1997 Mercedes-Benz E 420 4-door sedan, equipped with the initial set of structural upgrades, in a 40 mph frontal offset crash test against a deformable barrier. The evaluation criteria and the corresponding ratings are summarized below:
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | A |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Leg/foot, left | G |
| Leg/foot, right | G |
The ratings reveal a strong performance for the 1997 Mercedes-Benz E-Class in key areas of crashworthiness. The “Acceptable” overall evaluation and “Good” rating for structure and safety cage indicate that the vehicle effectively maintained its structural integrity during the frontal offset crash. Furthermore, the “Good” ratings for driver injury measures across head/neck, chest, and legs/feet suggest a low risk of significant injuries in these areas for the driver in a similar frontal collision.
However, the evaluation also highlighted a notable concern regarding driver restraints and dummy kinematics:
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Rating |
|---|---|
| Dummy movement wasn’t well controlled. During rebound, the dummy’s head hit the window sill. There was too much upward movement of the steering wheel. Late in the crash, the driver door opened. This opening didn’t significantly affect dummy movement during the test but shouldn’t happen because, in some crashes, it could allow partial or complete occupant ejection. | P |
This aspect received a “Poor” rating due to several factors. The dummy’s head striking the window sill during rebound and excessive upward movement of the steering wheel indicate suboptimal control of occupant movement within the vehicle. Critically, the driver door opened during the crash test. While this specific instance did not drastically alter dummy movement, the door opening presents a serious safety risk in real-world crashes, potentially leading to partial or complete ejection of the occupant.
Despite the issue with the driver’s door, the structural integrity of the 1997 Mercedes-Benz E-Class cabin was commendable, as evidenced in the test.
The survival space for the driver was largely maintained. This robust construction is further complemented by safety features such as energy-absorbing padding in the footwell area, designed to mitigate leg injuries in severe frontal impacts.
However, the opened driver door remains a significant point of concern, underscoring a potential vulnerability in side-impact or rollover scenarios following a frontal crash.
Detailed technical measurements from the crash test are available, providing in-depth data on occupant compartment intrusion and driver injury measures. These measurements offer a comprehensive understanding of the forces and movements experienced by the dummy during the crash, allowing for a more granular analysis of the vehicle’s safety performance.
In conclusion, the 1997 Mercedes-Benz E-Class demonstrates a generally strong performance in frontal crash protection, with good structural integrity and effective occupant injury mitigation. However, the “Poor” rating for driver restraints and dummy kinematics, primarily due to the driver door opening during the crash, is a notable drawback. Potential owners and automotive enthusiasts should consider this aspect alongside the otherwise positive safety attributes of this model when evaluating its overall safety profile.
