Few, if any, cars can match the safety and technology that Mercedes-Benz stuffs into its S-Class sedan. For 2007, the German automaker has once again raised the bar with features that not only make driving the 2007 S-Class safer, but also enhance the driving experience. Perhaps the biggest advancement is the use of radar-based technology that replaces the ultra-sonic technology of the previous model, and which is utilized in conjunction with several ground-breaking features in the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Additionally, the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S550 is equipped with a new version of the company’s Pre-Safe system that, in combination with the optional Distronic Plus system, will automatically increase braking to try and avoid a collision. If the Pre-Safe system is activated, it tightens the seatbelts to remove slack in the restraints and moves the front passenger’s seat to a safer position. (Pre-Safe will also adjust the optional rear power seats if necessary.) For 2007, Pre-Safe can also close the side windows and the sunroof in the event of a spin or rollover accident, and can inflate the chambers of the optional multi-contour, drive-dynamic seats to keep occupants centered and provide additional support before impact.

Next on the list for safety technology is the addition of Brake Assist Plus (BAS Plus). Brake assist has been available on all Mercedes models since the late 1990s, applying full braking power when it senses a panic stop. This new BAS Plus system uses short- and long-range radar-based technology to continuously measure and monitor the distance between the S-Class and leading traffic, sounding a warning if the closing speed or distance between vehicles becomes too rapid or close. BAS Plus automatically applies additional braking, once the driver has initially hit the brakes, to aid in avoiding a collision. Note that should an inattentive driver hit the brakes too late, a collision is still possible. In short, BAS Plus does what the human brain can’t. It calculates closing speed and applies the braking force needed to make the S-Class stop or, at the very least, reduce the impact speed.

In a controlled demonstration of BAS Plus that simulated real-world situations, Mercedes asked reporters to drive toward a stationary object (in this case, a foam square) at 35 mph and wait for the system to sound a loud beep to alert the need for braking. To experience the BAS Plus system, we were asked to respond to this alert with less braking than would normally be necessary. In response to our laggard braking, the BAS Plus engaged, as did the Pre-Safe system. The Mercedes S550’s seatbelts tightened, the seats moved into a safer position, and we could feel BAS Plus taking over control of the brakes. According to Mercedes, stopping distance in this situation was improved by three feet with the BAS Plus and impact speed was decreased by 2 mph.

But the real significance of BAS Plus was realized during a similar test with a moving object. For this test, Mercedes attached a vehicle’s rear fascia to a pole hanging from a moving vehicle. Reporters were asked to follow the lead car and, as it made a panic stop, apply less than sufficient braking at the pedal. Automatically, BAS Plus applied the necessary additional braking – even when we backed off the brakes and then re-applied them. The result was an astonishing 69-foot shorter stopping distance with the BAS Plus and impact speed was decreased by 15 mph. The results definitely show the effectiveness of the system in reducing damage and possible injury.

One system we’re not completely sold on is Distronic Plus, a sophisticated cruise control system that uses long- and short-range radar to maintain a set distance between the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the vehicle ahead of it by accelerating and braking as deemed necessary by the system. Distronic Plus can only apply up to 40 percent of braking capacity when the car being followed performs a panic stop or sudden deceleration. In such cases, the driver is warned of high closing speeds by a loud beep and must take over the braking in a panic stop scenario. Once the driver activates the brake pedal, BAS Plus will step in and aid with braking if needed.

During the demonstration of this system on a closed circuit track, Distronic Plus showed several shortcomings. In tight corners, the system will lose sight of the lead vehicle. It also gets confused when the lead vehicle changes lanes or tops a hill. When these situations occur, Distronic Plus alerts the driver that the system has disengaged by sounding a beep. At that point, the driver must re-activate the system by tipping a lever on the left side of the steering wheel once the lead vehicle is back in range. Distronic Plus also goes into a passive mode when the car comes to a complete stop. To re-engage, the driver must press the accelerator to tell the system to again follow the lead vehicle.

Using the system on the highway portion of our drive, other distressing Distronic situations arose. Because Distronic Plus operates at a set following distance, when the vehicle ahead changes lanes, the system locks onto the next vehicle ahead and accelerates to maintain the pre-set spacing. Should the driver choose an interval large enough to allow other cars to enter the lane ahead, Distronic Plus slows the S550 with each car that cuts in front. This constant accelerating and slowing can quickly get annoying, and is especially tiresome in heavy traffic. On the flipside, in the right environment – such as slow freeway traffic or long, straight highway cruising in light traffic – the Distronic Plus system can make the drive more relaxing once you become comfortable and familiar with its capabilities.

One area where Mercedes-Benz has outdone itself is with its Night View Assist system. Night View Assist uses infrared technology to project an image on a screen for a clearer view down a dark road. Unlike the thermal-sensing technology used by Cadillac in the old DeVille, the Mercedes system shows amazing detail and is a must-have option for people who travel in dimly-lit, rural areas. For our demonstration, a car was parked down the road facing us with the headlights on to simulate a breakdown. Two people were moving around the outside of the disabled car in total darkness. Without the aid of Night View Assist, we could only see the headlights and some movement around the car. With the flick of a switch, the scene took on the look of a black-and-white photograph with full detail around the car and the people outside of it, as well as objects in the darkness behind them. Night View Assist is a worthwhile investment for anyone who does a lot of night driving – especially on dark country roads where obstacles like deer and other large animals might pose a danger.

Yet another amazing feature of the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S550 is its Park Assist system, which tracks the distance between the S550 and other objects and alerts the driver through a visual display of colored bars and audible tones when the distance becomes too close. The driver can also watch the rear view camera monitor to judge distance. Where Park Assist amazes is with its ability to actually help park the new S550. For our demonstration we were faced with the task of parallel parking the big Benz in a tight space. To use Park Assist, the driver pulls forward of the desired space, lining up a colored blue line on the in-dash monitor with the parked vehicle’s bumper. Next, the driver turns the steering wheel to align a set of markers on the screen that represent the S550’s projected tire path relative to the curb. The driver then begins backing as the Park Assist system monitors bumper distances and once a second set of “goal” lines is perfectly meshed with the tire path projections, the S550 is perfectly placed in the space between the two vehicles. (How I wish this technology existed 28 years ago when I failed the parallel parking portion of my driving test.)

The 2007 Mercedes-Benz S550 is also equipped with the safety equipment that has become standard on many vehicles today, such as ABS with electronic brake proportioning, traction control, a stability control system, and tire pressure monitoring. Dual-stage front airbags, four side-impact airbags, and two side-curtain airbags are also standard. To make the new S-Class, and all of its vehicles, safer in the future, Mercedes is exploring the viability of safety technologies, including door panels that would move in toward the occupants before a side-impact crash to help keep occupants further away from the initial point of impact. Future S-Class occupants might also be able to enter information such as height, weight and gender to allow the safety systems to customize seat positioning, seatbelt tensioning levels, and airbag inflation rates.