In another class

In another classThe distance travelled with Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz is synonymous with safety, luxury and advanced technology – need we say more? M + Z Motors has a long and illustrious history in the motor vehicle industry in Namibia. Established in 1936, they have the reputation as the approved supplier of Mercedes-Benz, smart, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Fiat Alfa in the passenger vehicles range and for commercial vehicles they represent the Mercedes-Benz, freightliner and FUSO range.

Their focus is on customer satisfaction and service excellence regardless of whether you drive in the city, travel on business frequently, need a spacious family car or like to race in your spare time - the brands offered at M + Z provides existing and potential customers the right car for everyday use.



One of their brands, Mercedes-Benz has always been driven by innovation to make driving safer.

These innovations incorporate not only style but have shifted largely to electronic safety and assistance systems, geared to support drivers in everyday tasks while keeping them in control. “One of the earliest examples is anti-lock braking systems introduced in the late 1970s, followed by electronic stability programs in the '90s and a wider range of driver-assistance systems in the last decade,” says Aylin Lützow, M+Z Motors customer relations and marketing manager.”



Here is a close look at the range of new assistance systems, explained in detail.



Active Brake Assist

This system detects objects in your way and warns before an impending crash, provides assistance when the driver initiates an emergency-braking situation – even applying the brakes automatically. How does it work? A 360-degree camera detects slower-moving or stationary traffic in your path and will initially warn you of objects that are in your way. “We unintentionally tested this feature while distracted for a second.” When the system detected a car stopping in front of us to turn right, the emergency warning tone chimed just as I looked up; I was able to slow the car and avoid a collision,” says Lützow.



Active Blindspot Assist

This is more than the annoying beep when a car approaches your blind spot. This system can actively steer you out of the path of the vehicle. A camera constantly monitors the approaching traffic behind you in either lane to your right and left. If you intentionally or unintentionally steer into the path of a vehicle overtaking you on either side, the system first emits a warning sound with a triangle flashing in the mirror. If this fails, the system will apply the brakes on one side of the car and bring you out of the collision path.



Active Lane Keeping Assist

A very descriptive name for a system that deals with the possibly of wandering out of your lane because for a fraction of a second, you weren't paying attention to driving. The capability is also a part of the semi-autonomous driving functions, allowing you to relax while in rush-hour traffic.



Adaptive Highbeam Assist

Instead of a conventional and rigid low- and high-beam setup, this system adjusts the headlamp range automatically. When driving at night, light sensors in the front detect the light beam of an oncoming car and automatically adjust the lights so as to not blind others. When the other car has passed, the system automatically switches to the best possible light output, making night driving safer.



Attention Assist

This often-overlooked system has been present in Mercedes-Benz cars for some time. It detects when driving behaviour indicates tiredness and sends an audible and visible warning signal suggesting a break. Within 15 minutes of the beginning of every journey, the on-board computer creates an individual driver profile using no less than 70 different measurables such as speed and acceleration, as well as using indicators and other control functions. A high-resolution sensor records steering input: If the system now detects a stronger deviation from the original profile, it emits a warning sign and suggests a break.



Brake Assist System Plus

Many accidents could be avoided if the driver in an emergency situation applied all the brake force possible and used the braking capacity of modern high-performance brakes. A stereo camera and a system of long-, medium- and short-range radar sensors monitor traffic and surroundings – now also in cross-traffic situations. The data from the camera and radar system are processed and the system analyses whether crossing traffic poses a risk. If the driver applies the brakes, BAS Plus can ensure that optimum brake pressure is applied.

Car-to-X Communication

This mobile-phone-supported exchange feeds information about obstacles detected by other cars' monitoring systems into a central database, which sends the data to cars travelling immediately behind. This effectively allows cars to see around bends, gaining valuable time to slow and potentially avoid a collision.



Collision Prevention Assist Plus

Using the stereo camera and radar, collision prevention assist plus monitors the distance to the car travelling directly ahead and displays a warning signal in the instrument cluster if the distance in relation to speed becomes too short. If that gap is closing too fast, there will be an additional intermittent tone. And if that gap gets close to critical range and the driver has switched the system on, brakes will be applied to prevent a rear-end collision.





Distronic Plus with Steering Assist

An adaptive cruise control that keeps your car at the desired speed or below in relation to traffic in front of you: steering assist now ensures the car stays in its lane. When distronic plus is activated, the car's radar system monitors traffic ahead and keeps a preset distance from slower cars in front.



LIMBA MUPETAMI