High-Strength Steels Help Mercedes S Class Snare Award

Mercedes-Benz S-Class, production

The new Mercedes S Class was awarded the EuroCarBody 2005 award for its pioneering innovations in the development and production of car bodies.

The S Class features an all-new body concept that relies heavily on high-strength steels. Approximately half of all body components are made from high-strength or advanced high-strength strength steels. This helps the S Class provide maximum rigidity at minimum weight.

The use of high-strength steels and design techniques also improve the static torsional rigidity of the body structure by 12 percent compared to the previous S Class model. Torsional rigidity is one indicator of safe and comfortable handling.

Mercedes S-Class body structure

"The innovative bodyshell of the new S Class forms one of the foundations for the safety, comfort and longevity offered by our new top model," said Dr. Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management, Responsible for Research and Technology & Development Mercedes Car Group, at the award ceremony in the Sindelfingen production plant.

"We are very pleased that, thanks to the EuroCarBodyAWARD, the efforts and achievements of our entire development and production team have now also been recognized in this area."

The EuroCarBody award, which is given annually by the industry group Automotive Circle International, honors outstanding achievement in vehicle body design and production. More than 500 automotive experts cast votes in the competition at the 7th International Car Body Benchmarking Forum.