Sophisticated brake and driver assist systems make driving the luxury sedan from the Stuttgart-based car manufacturer even safer.

Frankfurt am Main, October 17, 2005. Continental, the world’s leading technology partner of the automotive industry, is equipping the new Mercedes S-Class with several networked active and passive safety components. Highly intelligent electronic brake and driver assist systems, advanced tire expertise and hose lines for a perfect active chassis make driving the luxury sedan not only safer but also more comfortable.

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ESC-equipped brake system prevents critical driving situations from the start

The modest name ESC MK25E5 stands for a top class brake control system. In addition to the master cylinder pressure sensor, the innovative brake system from Continental Automotive Systems employs four additional pressure sensors. Analog controllable, i.e., infinitely variable cut-off and block valves dose the brake pressures with extreme sensitivity. This results in improved forward and side-to-side dynamics. This translates into shorter stopping distances, braking intervention that is hardly perceptible and improved driving stability when maneuvering in hazardous situations. The ESC MK25 E5 has numerous added comfort and safety functions. These include a Hill Start Assist in combination with the standard automatic transmission, automatic wet brake disc drying in wet weather and the preventive application of the brake pads when danger is anticipated. This is especially the case in situations with a high probability of emergency braking.

ABR Adaptive Brake, an electronic brake control system developed in cooperation with Mercedes-Benz for its new S-Class, implements a number of additional comfort functions in addition to numerous ESC functions. The modular electronic stability control system includes the basic controller, anti-lock brake system (ABS), anti-slip control (ASC) and yaw ratio controller (YRC). While ABS and ASC primarily improve the vehicle's forward dynamics, YRC controls its side-to-side dynamic response. In critical driving situations, ESC maintains the vehicle’s stability within the range of physical possibilities or returns the vehicle to a stable condition through specific and correctly dosed vehicle brake and engine management interventions.

Brake booster reduces risk of injury

Front-end collisions are feared because of their risk of injury. The design of the brake booster with the tandem master cylinder (TMC) offers increased protection against leg injuries. In a collision, the active brake booster with brake assist function and TMC with a torque damper retracts the entire actuation unit through a rotational movement. This significantly minimizes the risk of injury for the driver.

Electric parking brake makes mechanical systems obsolete

The electric parking brake (EPB) releases and sets the parking brake with 100% reliability. An especially convenient feature is the Comfort-P release function integrated in the EPB. When driving away, the brake releases automatically without any manual intervention. Eliminating the lever mechanism in the driver’s foot space is an additional safety feature providing more legroom for the driver. The system also detects possible malfunctions and displays them as a warning in the instrument cluster.

Distance control systems with a great future

The driver assist system for adaptive cruise control (ACC) is a great advance in the S-Class. ACC maintains the distance to the vehicle ahead and ensures the necessary safety interval. Once the driver sets the desired speed, everything else takes place almost automatically. When a vehicle shows up ahead, ACC automatically reduces the speed or brakes automatically.

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Integrated distance sensors recognize the changes in distance to the vehicle ahead much faster than the driver. If a rear-end collision threatens, the activated ACC therefore brakes the vehicle sooner than the driver. By the time the driver steps forcefully on the brake after the driver-perception reaction time, the vehicle has already started to slow down.

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Two proximity sensors in addition to the distance sensor expand the “field of view” of ACC. It now operates even more conveniently at close range by braking the vehicle to a stop if necessary, holds the brake pressure and thus prevents the vehicle from inadvertently rolling forwards or backwards. If the vehicle ahead starts to move again, this is reported to the driver who only has to give the signal to take off by stepping on the accelerator or pressing a button. This makes ACC useful in city and stop-and-go traffic and relieves the driver of a significant burden.

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More comfort makes driving easier

The electronic ignition and starter switch (EIS), a central control unit within the DaimlerChrysler key interlock system, recognizes "its” driver instantly when the driver approaches the vehicle. The seat control unit (SIT) is seamlessly connected to this control. Individual settings such as distance to the steering wheel, head support height, mirror position and seat settings and other data are stored and retrieved from the computer “memory” as needed. This system makes it possible to automatically reset an individual seat position after a change of drivers. Seat heating and seat climate control make seating comfort complete. The use of the MCS control unit in conjunction with the multi-contour seat makes it possible to change the contours of the seat and back support surface. Turning on the optional massage function offers fatigue-free and relaxed driving and also increases concentration. This is especially noticeable on long trips. An additional driving dynamics function (DDF) automatically inflates the lateral support cushions. This feature increases the lateral support and gives the occupants a feeling of sitting safely and firmly.

The trunk lid control unit (TLCU) in the S-Class makes it convenient to open and close the trunk lid. In addition to manual operation, pressing a button via the remote key or the control switch in the driver's door opens the trunk lid automatically. The lid can be reclosed just as conveniently. The ZGW gateway control fully integrates electronic networking in the automobile. The growing amount of data due to increased internal communications demands a router that can take the data to where they are needed.

High-tech from ContiTech for the S-Class ABC system

ContiTech supplies a large number of hose lines for Active Body Control, which was further perfected for the new S-Class. Transmission oil cooler lines, oil lines for turbocharger lubrication and power steering as well as for heating and fuel round off the equipment level for the flow of media. The new ContiTech steering-rack bellows with an integrated pressure equalization membrane protects important steering parts from damage. In manufacturing the bellows, ContiTech integrates an additional pressure equalization element into the walls. It contains a membrane that is permeable to air but not moisture and is resistant to dirt. The membrane constantly equalizes the pressure between the interior of the steering-rack bellows and the environment. Similar breathable materials are also used in leisure apparel. Membranes from ContiTech control the flow of fuel in the injection system. Tunnel insulation from the ContiTech company Stankiewicz reduces noise and, like the surface material TEPEO2 ® from Benecke-Kaliko for the map pocket, raises the comfort level of the S-Class.

Continental tires provide first-class roadholding properties

The driver of the S-Class also experiences more comfort and safety on the road with tires from Continental. New standards have been set with respect to comfort and flat spotting without sacrificing agility. This results from using specially optimized components and the most advanced production methods. In the standard size 235/55 R17 99W and also in the mixed sizes 255/45 R18 99Y / 275/45 R18 103Y and 255/40 R19 96Y / 275/40 R19 96Y, the steering precision and very good cornering stability but also the comfort characteristics of the ContiSportContact 2 make it a superb choice. Not only in Europe do Continental tires keep the sedan in the correct lane regardless of weather and road conditions. Specially designed 255/45 R18 99H all season tires are used in the USA where the development focus was on the American market’s high demand for comfort.

The Continental Corporation is a leading supplier of brake systems, chassis components, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers. In 2004, the corporation realized sales of € 12.6 billion. At present, it has a worldwide workforce of more than 81,000.

As a worldwide leading technology partner to the automotive industry, the Automotive Systems division of Continental AG integrates extensive know-how in the fields of driving safety, powertrain and comfort. In 2004, the division achieved sales of approx. EUR 5 billion with a workforce of more than 22,500. Automotive Systems incorporates Continental Teves and Continental Temic. Continental Teves develops and produces electronic and hydraulic brake, stability and chassis control systems, as well as electronic air spring systems and sensors. Continental Temic is a specialist in chassis electronics, engine management and transmission control units, as well as electric drives and comfort/occupant safety electronics.