Safety has always been a top engineering priority at Mercedes-Benz. Lately, in addition to creating vehicles that protect during a crash, Mercedes has developed technology that enacts that protection before a crash. This feature, called Pre-Safe, tightens the seatbelts, closes the sunroof, and automatically adjusts the seats to their optimum positions just prior to impact. For the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the system has been improved; it now closes all of the side windows and the seat cushions inflate to keep occupants tight in their seats.

Other technologies on the S-Class also promote safety. Intelligent cruise control, known as Distronic in Mercedes-Benz lingo, has been an available safety feature on products wearing the three-pointed star for some time. Using radar technology, this system maintains a pre-determined distance behind other traffic when the cruise control is set. Distronic Plus adds brake-assist programming to the cruise control, which adds brake pressure if an impact is expected. The system works at speeds up to 125 mph, but if you really need help maintaining a safe distance at that speed, we suggest that you reevaluate your driving style.

One of the features included in the new Distronic Plus system is Park Assist. Like most electronic parking systems, Park Assist relies on radar in the front and rear bumpers to determine the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class’s proximity to nearby objects. However, unlike other vehicles that have visible radar sensors on the bumpers, the new S-Class features sensors that are located behind the bumpers, providing for a much cleaner appearance.

New for 2007 is an infra-red night vision system that extends the driver’s nighttime view to nearly 500 feet. The system uses infra-red light to identify objects in the road, and an infra-red camera transmits black-and-white images to the COMAND display screen on the dash.

COMAND, a central control dial located on the center console, operates the audio, climate control and navigation systems. Switches, buttons on the steering wheel, and voice commands can also be used to control the various systems. COMAND’s information screen is now located higher on the dash, next to the gauges, allowing drivers to use the system while still keeping the road in view.