Inflatable seat belt plan for Mercedes-Benz

The Mercedes-Benz Beltbag was first seen in the ESF 2009 Experimental Safety Vehicle

Mercedes-Benz has announced plans to install inflatable seat belts in a luxury-class model.

The Beltbag was originally mooted in the ESF 2009 Experimental Safety Vehicle, and is aimed at reducing injury to rear seat passengers in the event of a head-on collision. It does this by reducing the strain on the ribcage.

It is triggered if the crash sensors detect a severe head-on impact, inflating the multi-layered belt strap to nearly three times its normal width.

Head of Passive Safety and Vehicle Functions at Mercedes-Benz Cars, Prof Dr-Ing Rodolfo Schöneburg said: ‘Mercedes-Benz is pursuing its safety initiative in the rear of vehicles with the Beltbag.

‘After all, the excellent standard of safety offered by Mercedes-Benz doesn’t just apply to all model series, but to all seats, too.’

There are no plans to introduce the feature in the front seats, as the airbags on all models act as an additional restraint system.

Mercedes-Benz has not revealed which model has been selected, but there is speculation that it will be the new S-Class saloon.

Earlier in the summer, Ford announced that it will debut inflatable seat belts in Europe in the Ford Mondeo. The feature is already available in the US in the Ford Explorer.

Visit mercedes-benz.ie or the Mercedes-Benz Ireland Facebook page for further details.