The ATTENTION ASSIST function is particularly helpful on long journeys and when driving at night; the system warns the driver if it detects signs of failing attention and increasing weariness.

Between 80 and 180 km/h, ATTENTION ASSIST warns the driver visually and audibly as soon as it detects any signs of drowsiness or inattention. The background: sensors analyse driving behaviour to detect any changes compared with the previously determined individual driver profile.

The ADAPTIVE BRAKE system improves ride comfort and safety by helping to execute critical braking manoeuvres with the basic function of the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and making difficult driving situations easier with convenience functions.

Hill-Start Assist helps the driver to avoid rolling forwards or backwards when moving off on a slope. The vehicle is held up briefly once the driver has taken his foot off the brake. There is enough time to move the foot to the accelerator pedal and move off, and the vehicle is prevented from rolling immediately.

When you depress the brake pedal once again, the HOLD function keeps the vehicle at a standstill so that you do not need to keep your foot on the brake pedal. The "HOLD" message appears on the instrument cluster. When you depress the accelerator the brake automatically disengages.

The "brake drying" function removes the film of water that forms on the brake discs in wet conditions. This ensures that full braking power is available without delay.

With the "priming" option, the brake linings are primed immediately after the driver takes his foot the accelerator quickly.

The Light Package incorporates the Intelligent Light System, which improves visibility in dark conditions by adjusting its bi-xenon headlamps to the current driving situation. Illumination is wider on a country road, for example, and on motorways the range is significantly increased.

The system also features enhanced fog lamps as well as active light and cornering light functions and Adaptive Highbeam Assist. This helps you to detect pedestrians, cyclists or other obstacles at an earlier stage than with conventional low-beam headlamps. The system further optimises road illumination.

Using a camera the headlamp range adjustment and high beams are regulated in such a way that the road is illuminated as best as possible, regardless of the driving situation and the preceding motorists. The high beam automatically switches on when no other road users are detected. A special feature is the gentle transition from one type of light to the other without an abrupt change in intensity. The package includes the LED daytime driving lamps which are also available as an individual feature.

Many accidents can be prevented right up to a few seconds before impact. This very short period of time is at the heart of the PRE-SAFE? system. Mercedes-Benz first introduced the system in 2002 and has continued to develop it ever since. PRE-SAFE? can sense critical situations and prevent accidents as well reduce their after-effects.

The preventive PRE-SAFE? occupant protection system can recognise critical driving situations and, if necessary, pre-emptively activate reversible safety systems to help reduce the risk of injury to the vehicle occupants.

This is based on PRE-SAFE? continuously monitoring sensor data from systems such as ESP? and BAS and identifying driving situations such as oversteer/understeer and emergency stops.

If the typical characteristics of a critical driving situation are identified, safety systems can respond within a fraction of a second. The electronic belt tensioners are activated, the electrically adjustable front-passenger seat (only in conjunction with Memory Package) is moved to a more "favourable" crash position, and the side windows and (optional) panoramic sliding sunroof are closed automatically.

Cars from Mercedes-Benz have a host of safety systems to prevent accidents. Should the worst come to the worst, however, a number of different safety measures are activated to give the best possible protection for all the vehicle occupants.

Occupant protection comes in the form of front airbags which can be deployed in two stages to match the severity of the impact. Sidebags in the rear (optional), pelvisbags for the front seats and windowbags are also on board. The driver's kneebag can help further reduce the driver's risk of injury in an accident.

The active bonnet function can reduce the risk of injury to pedestrians or cyclists if it detects that they are involved in a collision with the bonnet. To cushion the blow, the active bonnet can raise approximately five centimetres at the rear by means of spring force.

Activated in the event of a rear-end collision, NECK-PRO head restraints are adjustable for the driver and front passenger and can reduce the risk of sustaining a whiplash injury. If a collision occurs, they provide head support and reduce the load on the spine at an early stage by employing a spring mechanism to thrust the head restraints forward and upwards. The restraints can be returned manually to the original position after activation.

To reduce consequential damage after an accident and support the work of the rescue services, a number of different actions are initiated, depending on the type and severity of the accident:

• Optimum protection: The engine can be turned off automatically and the fuel supply can be cut off.
• Safe lighting: the hazard warning lights and emergency interior lights can be automatically activated, so as to reduce the risk of subsequent accidents and to make finding the vehicle easier.
• Making escape easier: the door locking mechanism can be automatically released.
• Measure to aid rescue: integral crash joints between the wing and the door can make opening the doors after a frontal collision easier.