Mercedes-Benz ESF 05, the first safety test car of the star brand turns 50

The first safety test vehicle of the star brand has every reason to celebrate, as it has just turned fifty. Known as Mercedes-Benz ESF 05, it was the pioneer in testing the various safety systems the brand was fitting to its production vehicles. The creation of safety test cars came after a programme by the Department of Transport due to the extremely high number of road deaths.

In 1970, as the Mercedes-Benz itself has confirmed, 19,193 people died in road accidents in West Germany. This safety programme gradually became international, and that same year, 1970, the European Enhanced Vehicle-Safety Committee was founded, also known by its acronym EEVC.

This is the story of the Mercedes-Benz ESF 05

From the outset, Mercedes-Benz took part in this new body by building its own safety test cars. These vehicles were known as ESVs. The first model of this type of vehicle was called the Mercedes-Benz ESF 05 and was unveiled during the 2nd ESV Conference held in Sindelfingen, Germany, at the end of October 1971.

This unusual vehicle was based on the W114 series, Stroke/8 and featured a range of technical safety innovations that would take many years to reach production models. As the Committee itself stated, the Mercedes-Benz ESF 05 was subjected to frontal and rear impacts at 80 km/h. It also suffered side impacts against a pole at 20 km/h. In addition, it had to withstand a minor collision at speeds of up to 16 km/h without suffering permanent deformation.

To withstand all these impacts, the bodywork was considerably reinforced at the front and sides. The wheelbase was increased by 100 mm, and so was the bumper, which was extended by 370 mm. The engine was a V6, and the dashboard was developed from sheet metal capable of absorbing impacts. It was also padded with polyurethane foam.

This saloon also featured three-point self-adjusting seatbelts, airbags for the driver and front passenger, and front seat backs designed to protect rear passengers. It was also equipped with headlamp washers and an ABS system. Compared with the standard W114, this test version weighed 655 kilograms more and was 655 mm longer.

Since the arrival of the Mercedes-Benz ESF 05, the brand has produced a total of 35 test cars for the EEVC. As you will surely know, over the years safety regulations have become far more demanding. The most recent Mercedes-Benz ESF was developed in 2019 and focused on the safety of electrical systems and batteries. If you enjoyed the story of the Mercedes-Benz ESF 05, you can see it in person, as it is on display at the brand’s museum in Germany.