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34 - Friday, March 20, 1998 —

north shore news

# AUTO

North Shore News

Photo submitted

THE award-winning Mercedes-Benz M-Class sport utility vehicle (right) has the
same bumper height as a Mercedes-Senz C-Ciass sedan (left), meaning that in a
collision, the sport utility is untikely to override a passenger car.

M-C

HE new Mercedes-
Benz M-Class sport
utility vehicle is
designed to be compat-
ible with passenger cars
in collisions.

Unlike sport utility vehi-
cies (SUVs) that are based on

ting truck jlattorms, the
Mercedes M-Class teatures a
clean-sheet design
allowed its developers to ta

sh approach to occupant
safety as well as compatibility
with other vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz engineers
also gave considerable
thought to what happe
when a small car collides with
a larger vehicle, While peopl:
in the smaller vehicle are us
ally at greater risk, thoughtful
engineering can help protect
the occupants of both vehi-
cles.

Auto saie s main-
ain that two kev factors
determine crash compatibility,

secially between v

ate

First and foremost, the
main structures of the two
colliding vehicles must align
and meet squarely, which
means that the frame mem-
bers of both vehicles must be
about the same height above
the read. This nor only
reduces the possibility of one
vehicle overriding the other
catastrophically, but also helps
the protective crumple zones

igned into both vehicles to
serve their purpose in absorb-
ing crash energy.

Secondhy, dhe crumple
zone of a larger vehicle should
be somewhat “softer” than a
sinali car, since a larger vehicle
can cutely absorb more crash
energy and thus help protect
the occupants of both vehi-
cles. Mercedes: Benz designers
have been fine ning crum-

tthess relative to

‘ and his
sophisocated concept ts likely
to be adopted by other
automakers,

Although the ME Chass
sport utility uses a body on-

frame design, the dynamics of

wscrash protection are rough-

icles of

ass bu
ins in m

Wy equal to the Mercedes-Benz,
E-Class luxury sedan, which
has a highlv-acclaimed uni-
hody structure.

In addition te a conven:
tional front crumple zone
built into the nose ofthe veht-
cle, the M-Class incorporates
2 special structure around the
windshield pillars.

In a severe collision, this
extra crumple zone can actu-

it with

D dissipate some of the
erish enersy around the sides
of the vehicle, providing even
more protecuan for the occu
pants of both vehicles.

The M-Class suspension
features upper and lower con:
trol arms in a double wish-
bone configuration atthe
front and rear, with stabilizer
bars and double-tube gas
shocks as well,

ORS Teen

Baas

711 West 14th St.
North Van

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Aue

returns to the
North Shore.

Consider This You
al
Wake-up Call.
It’s a fast paced world and you want te keep up.
But for you, luxury cars have had ali the appeal of

a big yawn. Until now.

Audi’s back on the North Shore with three of the
hottest luxury models. Touring Sedans, Quattro,
Tiptronic, Adrenaline.

And they're here at your North Shore Audi Dealer.

Been there and done that just don’t apply anymore.

1151 Marine Drive
Nort Vanco! UNER