It has been 50 years since Mercedes-Benz first introduced the ESF-05 to the public. This luxury German car brand built this vehicle (more than 30) as a part of their “Experimental-Sicherheits-Fahrzeuge” programme (Experimental Safety Vehicles or ESV). Since then, Mercedes-Benz has ensured that they produced cars that guaranteed driving safety. Here is MWTV through this blog informing you how this brand beginning from the launch of ESF-05 in the 1970s, has continued to stay true to its commitment towards automotive safety.  

The launch of Mercedes-Benz ESF-05, a step towards ensuring car safety:  It was during the second ESV conference organised in Sindelfingen between 26th to 29th October 1971 that Mercedes-Benz first released the ESF-05. This vehicle was manufactured using the medium size W 114 (“Stroke/8”) series as the inspiration. It included several innovative tools that enabled the enhancement of active and passive safety. However, it was only much later that a few of these gadgets, such as the ABS anti-lock braking system, the airbag, and the seat belt tensioner, developed further.   

Increased focus on road safety, a rise of a global phenomenon:   

During the mid-1960s, accidents began to rise due to an increase in automobiles in human society. This dependence on automotive eventually led to the deaths of 19 193 people on the roads of West Germany itself. A similar trend was seen in many other countries too. The United States Department of Transport (DOT) launched a programme focused on developing experimental safety vehicles. However, the US was interested in making this programme truly international, so to do that, in 1970, the “European Enhanced Vehicle-safety Committee” or EEVC was created 1970. Mercedes-Benz supported this organisation from the beginning since the brand was seen as a pioneer in passive safety. On establishment, this group defined the requirements needed for a vehicle to be called an ESV. For example, front and rear impacts need a fixed obstacle at 80 km/hour and a side impact comprising a pole at 20 km/hour. These ESV’s were also expected to withstand minor accidents at a speed of up to 16 km/hour. 

Mercedes-Benz and its production of ESF 05: 

Since Mercedes-Benz committed themselves completely to safety, they decided to initiate the ESF programme. They did so by using the wealth of experience in developing safety cars that they had accumulated. It led to manufacturing the ESF 05 model, fully equipped with self-fitting three-point seat belts and several airbags. All these elements were situated in front of the driver and passenger. In addition, it is also located in the backrest of the front seats. The body structure of the ESF-05 is strengthened at the front and the sides.

Furthermore, this vehicle possesses a wheelbase that extends by 100 millimetres, a front end that extends by 370 millimetres, and an experimental V6 engine. The doors are inclusive of power windows that make window winders redundant. Finally, headlights of the ESF-05 consist of a range control and washer system, and the windscreen along with the rear window have laminated glass.  

 Contribution of the airbag to the success of the Mercedes-Benz ESF programme:  

In promoting passive safety by Mercedes Benz, the airbag is an innovation that has played a big part. On the 23rd October 1971, the then Daimler-Benz AG applied for a patent titled ‘Impact Protection Device’, which became known as the ‘Airbag’. The primary function of this device was to protect the occupants in the car. Moreover, the engineers of the brand first began creating an airbag in 1966. This development is a clear indication of the vision and intention of Mercedes-Benz to take safe driving up to the next level. 

Mercedes-Benz and its continued dedication towards the ESF programme:  

Mercedes-Benz produced a total number of 35 vehicles under the ESF programme. Of which four were initially made public between 1971 and 1974. The first to be officially launched was the ESF-05 post which was ESF-13 and ESF-22. In more recent years, Mercedes-Benz prioritised safety by introducing ESF 2009, which was manufactured by keeping 221-series S-Class as the inspiration. Even the ESF 2019 is an integral part of the series developed by the German luxury automobile brand, whose main objective is to provide safety to the occupants of a vehicle during full autonomous driving.  

Having provided safety innovations regarding driving by releasing automobiles such as ESF-05, Mercedes-Benz has drastically managed to bring down road fatalities to a minimum, which once upon a time had reached the maximum.  

 At MWTV we firmly believe, that these are the important bits that make a brand and create a legacy or a legendary marque. The desire to innovate and the dedication towards excellence - consistently and continuously makes a brand - like Mercedes Benz!