Technology Failure on the W221 S-Class Embarrasses Mercedes
12-01-05, 11:28 AM
#46
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
Was that a pebble I just ran over, or my mother-in-law? 
12-03-05, 10:25 PM
#47
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Last edited by XeroK00L; 12-03-05 at 10:38 PM.
12-04-05, 03:57 AM
#49
Originally Posted by AmethySC
Posted by www.eMercedesBenz.com on November 28, 2005 at 9:20 AM CST
A little while back, we brought you a story about the new Mercedes S-
Class failing a crash test on the Germany's Star TV. If you didn't
read our story, you can find it here.
http://emercedesbenz.com/Nov05/16New...CrashTest.html
It turns out, the entire test was a hoax... well, sort of.
Before the test was conducted, Mercedes alerted Star TV that the
Brake Assist Plus feature wouldn't function correctly in their
testing hall, and recommended they not conduct the test at all.
However, Michael Specht, a MotorBild journalist covering the story,
decided to run the story anyways. Specht, along with the Mercedes
engineers, devised a plan to "simulate" the Brake Assist Plus feature
by manually applying braking pressure on the fog-induced track.
Because of the low visibility, a board was placed over the track so
that Specht would know the correct time to brake the vehicle.
Unfortunately, the plan failed - due to the S-Class' plush
suspension, Specht didn't feel when he passed over the board, and
proceeded to then collide into the vehicle ahead of him.
I'll give you one guess what happened to poor little Michael Specht.
This morning it was announced that Michael was fired from his
position at MotorBild.
I have a feeling some Mercedes engineers might be a little nervous as
well. See kids, it never pays to lie.
source : theautochannel
A little while back, we brought you a story about the new Mercedes S-
Class failing a crash test on the Germany's Star TV. If you didn't
read our story, you can find it here.
http://emercedesbenz.com/Nov05/16New...CrashTest.html
It turns out, the entire test was a hoax... well, sort of.
Before the test was conducted, Mercedes alerted Star TV that the
Brake Assist Plus feature wouldn't function correctly in their
testing hall, and recommended they not conduct the test at all.
However, Michael Specht, a MotorBild journalist covering the story,
decided to run the story anyways. Specht, along with the Mercedes
engineers, devised a plan to "simulate" the Brake Assist Plus feature
by manually applying braking pressure on the fog-induced track.
Because of the low visibility, a board was placed over the track so
that Specht would know the correct time to brake the vehicle.
Unfortunately, the plan failed - due to the S-Class' plush
suspension, Specht didn't feel when he passed over the board, and
proceeded to then collide into the vehicle ahead of him.
I'll give you one guess what happened to poor little Michael Specht.
This morning it was announced that Michael was fired from his
position at MotorBild.
I have a feeling some Mercedes engineers might be a little nervous as
well. See kids, it never pays to lie.
source : theautochannel
Basically, it was an test of pre-safe, something similar to PCS. This new system is one of the major features of S class. It has two radars that monitor traffic ahead, and prepare brakes and everything else in even of possible crash. It even adjusts braking power to keep the distance between vehicle ahead (so you wouldnt brake too hard if there is no real need, someone could run then into you). Same radar system works during their new distronic cruise control, which is world first that works between 0kmh and 200kmh, completly stopping the car and starting it again.
What happened was this:
1. DC wanted to demonstrate their pre-safe technology in adverse conditions (fog). They called in biggest magazine - Autobild (not MotorBild, lol), and Stern TV, which is investigative report show (very famous in Germany)
2. DC realized that system wont work in closed building and together with Autobild editor, they decided to fake it. Could Autobild editor make MB directors to fake the damn thing? I find that really ridicilous. What happened is that they didnt want to loose face in front of Stern TV, which would then publish it.
3. DC in arragment with Autobild editor, put an board over one part of the track so Autobild editor would know when to start braking. They thought system has only 40% of chance to work.
4. SternTV had several cameras around and mike on the Autobild editor. Before the first run, they heard when Autobild ed was complaining to MB guy how he is worried that TV will notice that there was no sound warning in the car when he started braking. This is when Stern TV took notice and started taping everything closer.
5. Ed went off in new S class, and since it is small track, he forgot himself and did not brake when he should have, simply running into the next car. MB blamed it on the building and got another s class in.
6. TV started taping hushed discussions between MB employees. They were denied passanger seat in new test. They taped the board over the track.
7. Next run, Ed was braking long before even board was hit, so they had to repeat it.
And finally, Stern TV published report that mage huge deal out of MB trying to fake the test, together with Autobild. They got one of the DC bosses in who explained how they knew system wouldnt work so they put the board over. He apologized to Stern TV for not letting them know that :-).
What happened was MB trying to save their face in the eve of S class launch. This is one of their biggest new features and they didnt want to admit it doesnt work always. They got Autobild Editor to agree, I suspect they are long time buddies but they wanted TV not to notice anything. They have been basically caught with their pants down, and lost huge deal of credibility.
To blame it on Autobild is pretty funny, while editor shouldnt have agreed, he was the one who seemed worried and twitchy, younger guy with lots of upper DC executives around him.
12-04-05, 10:01 AM
#50
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by spwolf
Basically, it was an test of pre-safe, something similar to PCS. This new system is one of the major features of S class. It has two radars that monitor traffic ahead, and prepare brakes and everything else in even of possible crash. It even adjusts braking power to keep the distance between vehicle ahead (so you wouldnt brake too hard if there is no real need, someone could run then into you). Same radar system works during their new distronic cruise control, which is world first that works between 0kmh and 200kmh, completly stopping the car and starting it again.
I had no idea that much had happened with no knowledge of the German language. 
Yeah DC should be ashamed of their trying to fake the whole thing, not Autobild. Poor Mike.Just want to point out though, that it wasn't Pre-Safe that was being tested, it was the new generation of radar cruise control--one that works under 25mph and down to a full stop. Pre-Safe only works when a collision is deemed unavoidable, while RCC works to avoid a collision.
12-04-05, 10:29 AM
#51
Originally Posted by XeroK00L
Wow... thanks to spwolf for translating and summarizing what's going on in the video. I had no idea that much had happened with no knowledge of the German language. Yeah DC should be ashamed of their trying to fake the whole thing, not Autobild. Poor Mike.
Just want to point out though, that it wasn't Pre-Safe that was being tested, it was the new generation of radar cruise control--one that works under 25mph and down to a full stop. Pre-Safe only works when a collision is deemed unavoidable, while RCC works to avoid a collision.
I had no idea that much had happened with no knowledge of the German language. Yeah DC should be ashamed of their trying to fake the whole thing, not Autobild. Poor Mike.Just want to point out though, that it wasn't Pre-Safe that was being tested, it was the new generation of radar cruise control--one that works under 25mph and down to a full stop. Pre-Safe only works when a collision is deemed unavoidable, while RCC works to avoid a collision.
I also thought it was distronic being tested, before I read the article on stern tv website...
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