Volvo has long been attributed with being the number one automobile manufacturer when it comes to vehicular safety and rightly so. As an inventor of "crumple zones" and "safety cages" to protect passengers, Volvo set the tone for worldwide auto building for the next several generations. Indeed, the auto industry owes much to Volvo's many safety contributions. Not to be lost in all of this is the work that Mercedes-Benz has been doing to improve passenger safety too. Taking the Volvo concept one step further, Mercedes now incorporates several technological advances with their vehicles in order to provide the safest riding experience available. Let's take a look at Mercedes' PRE-SAFE system and how it can protect you and your passengers. I must admit that the first time I heard about Mercedes' new safety system I had thought that it was something that was still years away from becoming available. How wrong I was!
The PRE-SAFE system, as it is called, is a terrific way to enhance passenger safety and one that should be adopted by other automakers. Yes, I am sure that it isn't a cheap system but as it is with so many technological advances the price is bound to drop and the system or something like it will become widely available across the board. Introduced with select Mercedes models in 2003, the PRE-SAFE system automatically kicks in moments before a collision. Snug in place. Passenger seat belts automatically tighten to prepare occupants for a crash. Snug in place, part two. Along with the seat belts, air cushions on the sides of the seats inflate to keep people in position. Seat movements. Headrests and seats automatically move to predetermined positions that provide optimum protection for occupants. Close it up. Windows automatically shut to offer the best support for side-curtain air bags and cars equipped with a moon roof will find that it has closed up in the event of a rollover. Since its introduction, PRE-SAFE has been expanded to additional Mercedes models and the original technology is constantly being tweaked and improved upon.
New technology being developed by Mercedes includes the development of a radar sensor to track vehicles running a red light and slamming into your car. Once this technology has been readied, it will take the PRE-SAFE system one step further and offer occupants one more way to avoid serious injury. So, is Volvo behind in the development of crash preparation technology? Not a chance. Volvo released its Whiplash Protection Seating System in 2000 that prepares passengers for a rear hit by adjusting the seating position to minimize impact. In addition, the company is working on a radar system that can detect when a driver drifts out of his lane. This feature will also utilize an electronic eye to keep an eye on blind spots not seen through the side mirrors. Ultimately, a defensive driver is the best driver, but there are times when situations are completely out of your control. Mercedes' PRE-SAFE system is certain to be a big help and is likely to reduce serious injuries and even prevent some deaths. Technology at its best!
The headliner is Alcantara and the large sunroof brings the perfect amount of light into the cabin to make your drive just that much more perfect. Luxurious materials go a long way into reminding you of how upscale a vehicle is, and the technology integrated within them go even further. The S63’s seats are heated, air-conditioned, and offer many massage settings that go from gentle all the way to vigorous. The Burmester High-End surround sound system is easily one of the best in the world, and the speakers remind you of this with their beautiful brushed-metal grilles with stylish “f” patterns. A heated steering wheel and mirrors are standard, but the icing on the cake is that the armrests also boast heating - how about that. There’s also a built-in fragrance, known as the active perfuming system, which is able to send one of four interior fragrances through the cabin at varying intensities. The latest iteration of Mercedes-Benz’s COMAND infotainment system is controlled via a 12.3” high-resolution screen that stretches across the entire dashboard. Save for the excess that is the Tesla Model S, this is one of my favourite current screen setups. Along with the usual connectivity features, the S63 features a plethora of safety and tech features including Crosswind Assist (which helps offset gusts of wind for even more sumptuousness), collision avoidance nannies, and of course, night vision. Better than night vision setups from Audi and BMW, this unit is flawlessly sharp and quick to pick up objects before they appear in the driver’s sightline. All of this lavishness comes at a price though, and it’s not exactly palatable for the typical North American. 193,600 before taxes or PDI. It was a pleasant change to see Mercedes-Benz do away with the “CL” nomenclature and rename this car what it was in the first place, an S-Class Coupe.
As the G 63 AMG 6X6 features independent axle suspension rather than independent wheel suspension, all three rigid axles operate autonomously, ensuring the best possible adhesion to the surface underneath the vehicle. 4220 millimetres, lend themselves particularly well to inter-articulation, exploiting the traction potential offered by even the most extremely contoured terrain to the full. Brawn on six wheels. The vehicle's powerful performance is attributable in large part to the AMG 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine, which deploys numerous technological highlights to generate 760 newton metres of torque, and the AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission. The automatic transmission features three modes and automatic double declutching during downshifting, supplying the power via a cardan shaft to the transfer case with reduction gear. Sport (S) and Manual (M) modes see the engine-transmission set-up in markedly more agile form. A brief and exactly defined retardation of ignition and injection during upshifting at full load provides for shorter shift times here. The superiority of the G 63 AMG 6X6 is also demonstrated by an innovative tyre pressure control system which enables the driver to vary the tyre pressure for the front axle and the two rear axles separately. 20 seconds to raise the tyre pressure from 0.5 bar for use on sand to the 1.8 bar which is appropriate for road use. Inimitable class on the inside, too.
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