Applies to 2013-14 models built after December 2012
| Overall evaluation |
M
|
| Structure and safety cage |
P
|
| Injury measures |
| Head/neck |
G
|
| Chest |
G
|
| Hip/thigh |
G
|
| Lower leg/foot |
P
|
| Restraints and dummy kinematics |
G
|
| Important: Frontal crash test ratings should be compared only among vehicles of similar weight. |
The Mercedes C class was redesigned for the 2008 model year. Beginning with 2010 models, an airbag for the driver's knees was added to improve occupant protection in frontal crashes. Beginning with 2013 models built after December 2012, the side curtain airbags were reprogrammed to deploy in small overlap frontal crashes to further improve occupant protection (note: information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on or near the driver door).
Two tests of the C class were conducted, one a 2012 model and the other a 2013 model built after the side curtain airbags were reprogrammed. In the first test, the driver side curtain airbag did not deploy; in the second test, it deployed as intended. The ratings and vehicle specifications listed are for the second test, but because the car's structure was not changed, the structural rating is based on both tests.
Structure
In both tests, the driver's space was seriously compromised by intruding structure. In the second test, footwell intrusion measured as much as 50 cm at the footrest, and upper interior intrusion measured 10-11 cm at the door hinge pillar and instrument panel. The dummy's right foot was trapped by the brake pedal, and the pedal had to be cut off to free the foot.
Injury measures
In the second test, measures from the dummy indicate that injuries to left lower leg would be likely in a crash of this severity. Injuries to the right lower leg would be possible.
Restraints and dummy kinematics
The dummy’s movement was well controlled in the second test. The dummy’s head loaded the frontal airbag, which stayed in front of the dummy until rebound. The side curtain airbag deployed and had sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from contact with side structure and outside objects.
Tested vehicle specifications
| Tested vehicle |
2013 Mercedes-Benz C 250 4-door |
| Weight |
3,452 lbs. |
| Side airbags |
front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags |
| Wheelbase |
109 in. |
| Length |
181 in. |
| Width |
70 in. |
| Engine |
1.8 L turbocharged 4-cylinder |
| EPA ratings |
22 mpg city / 31 mpg highway |
How this test is conducted
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Test ID |
CEN1211 |
CEN1327 |
| Lower occupant compartment |
| Lower hinge pillar max (cm) |
9 |
12 |
| Footrest (cm) |
32 |
50 |
| Left toepan (cm) |
24 |
29 |
| Brake pedal (cm) |
21 |
22 |
| Parking brake (cm) |
14 |
20 |
| Rocker panel lateral average (cm) |
0 |
1 |
| Upper occupant compartment |
| Steering column |
4 |
4 |
| Upper hinge pillar max (cm) |
9 |
11 |
| Upper dash (cm) |
11 |
10 |
| Lower instrument panel (cm) |
11 |
11 |
Driver injury measures
| Test ID |
CEN1327 |
| Head |
| HIC-15 |
248 |
| Peak gs at hard contact |
no contact |
| Neck |
| Tension (kN) |
0.8 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) |
9 |
| Maximum Nij |
0.15 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) |
20 |
| Femur (kN) |
| Left |
4.9 |
| Right |
3.2 |
| Knee displacement (mm) |
| Left |
3 |
| Right |
3 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) |
| Left |
3 |
| Right |
1 |
| Maximum tibia index |
| Left |
2.14 |
| Right |
1.13 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) |
| Left |
10.6 |
| Right |
4.1 |
| Foot acceleration (g) |
| Left |
147 |
| Right |
98 |