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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