Distronic Demo gone wrong....
11-29-2005, 04:53 AM
#1
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Distronic Demo gone wrong....
Hi Guys ...
Recently a auto mag (cannot recall which one) set up a test with Merc in germany to demonstrate the distronic device...
Basically they drove a new s class into a smoke / fog cloud where a stationary car was present and left it up to the distronic to apply brakes and stop.
Remember this test was done at the factory and set-up by MB. Well the car slowed but plowed into the stationary car much to embarrassment of MB.
They ran the video on Sunday evening showing of TopGear in the UK.
Too much gadgetry getting into the way of driving it seems.
"A German television channel got a bigger scoop than they bargained for when Mercedes showed up with three of their flagship vehicles - only to crash them into each other when a safety demonstration failed.
Stern TV, who filmed the programme item slates the mistake, and compares it to the nasty falling-over tendency the early A-class Mercedes had.
Embarrassing mistake
In the programme, Mercedes drives 3 S-classes behind each other. The first car hits the brakes, and the two following cars brake down automatically, to avoid a crash. In theory. In practice, the first car braked, and the two others continued right into the back of each other, resulting in a 3-car pile-up at the test site.
According to a German news site, the blushing Mercedes security engineers soon discovered the problem: The test had been done in a hall which was made of steel. This confuses the radar, and the system doesn't work properly, causing more than £150,000 worth of cars to crumple into each other.
The system "works perfectly in all other circumstances", according to Mercedes. For now, though, it may be worth keeping your foot near the brake pedal."
Rgds Steve.
Recently a auto mag (cannot recall which one) set up a test with Merc in germany to demonstrate the distronic device...
Basically they drove a new s class into a smoke / fog cloud where a stationary car was present and left it up to the distronic to apply brakes and stop.
Remember this test was done at the factory and set-up by MB. Well the car slowed but plowed into the stationary car much to embarrassment of MB.
They ran the video on Sunday evening showing of TopGear in the UK.
Too much gadgetry getting into the way of driving it seems.
"A German television channel got a bigger scoop than they bargained for when Mercedes showed up with three of their flagship vehicles - only to crash them into each other when a safety demonstration failed.
Stern TV, who filmed the programme item slates the mistake, and compares it to the nasty falling-over tendency the early A-class Mercedes had.
Embarrassing mistake
In the programme, Mercedes drives 3 S-classes behind each other. The first car hits the brakes, and the two following cars brake down automatically, to avoid a crash. In theory. In practice, the first car braked, and the two others continued right into the back of each other, resulting in a 3-car pile-up at the test site.
According to a German news site, the blushing Mercedes security engineers soon discovered the problem: The test had been done in a hall which was made of steel. This confuses the radar, and the system doesn't work properly, causing more than £150,000 worth of cars to crumple into each other.
The system "works perfectly in all other circumstances", according to Mercedes. For now, though, it may be worth keeping your foot near the brake pedal."
Rgds Steve.
Last edited by stevebez; 11-29-2005 at 05:07 AM.
