Mercedes-Benz is introducing neck protecting head restraints as standard on certain models. The company claims that the restraints offer a reduction in whiplash injuries and says that they are re-usable in the event of activation.
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The NECK-PRO head restraints are linked to an electronic control unit: if the sensor system detects a rear-end collision of a predefined degree of severity, it releases pre-tensioned springs inside the head restraints, causing it to move forward 40 millimetres and upwards by 30 millimetres. This happens in a split-second and has the effect of providing support for the heads of front seat occupants during the early stages of an accident. In this way, Mercedes-Benz has again improved the level of protection for the occupants in a rear-end collision and as a result, reduced the risk of whiplash injuries.
Following the deployment of NECK-PRO, the head restraints can be released and re-set using a special tool provided with the car. The internal mechanism can then be pushed back manually to re-set the NECK-PRO head restraints. This ‘reusable’ dimension means there will not be a repair or replacement cost in the unfortunate event of an accident.
The new crash-responsive head restraints for the driver and front passenger are fitted as standard equipment in the C-Class Saloon and Estate, the CLK-Class Coupé and Cabriolet, E-Class Saloon and Estate and in the four-door CLS-Class.
