The quest for improved safety by car makers is relentless and goes far beyond ANCAP barrier testing.
Mercedes-Benz today announced its latest breakthrough – the ‘Beltbag’ – will go into production in a new luxury class model.
The Beltbag is a new form of seatbelt for rear seat passengers which reduces the risk of ribcage injuries. Basically it’s an airbag for the seatbelt strap and works in conjunction with the belt tensioners and belt force limiters ‘Benz already fits in the rear.
In an impact the beltbag inflates over the seatbelt strap, increasing its surface area to nearly three times the normal width and the larger surface area provides a greater area to absorb the seatbelt forces and hence reduce ribcage injuries which afflict rear seat passengers. Of course front seat occupants are already protected via airbag technology.
As well as the Beltbag, Mercedes-Benz will also introduce its new active seat belt buckle (both were part of the ESF 2009 Experimental Safety Vehicle).
The extra safety for rear seat occupants has been a focus for Mercedes-Benz with increased sales into new markets such as China which have much higher rates of rear seat occupancy than European markets.
