1. Illustrated Chronicle
  2. Chronicle 1981 - 1990
  3. 1981
  4. 5 - 15 March 1981

Geneva: airbag and belt tensioner have their premiere

  • Date
    5 - 15 March 1981
  • Description
    Daimler-Benz presents the airbag and belt tensioner at the International Motor Show in Geneva. This combination of restraint systems becomes available on 20 July, initially for drivers and front passengers of the S-Class saloon models of the 126-series. Daimler-Benz is therefore the world’s first automobile manufacturer to introduce the airbag and belt tensioner as important elements of passive safety in a production automobile.
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Mercedes-Benz S-Class Intelligent occupant protection: The Mercedes graphic from 1980 explained how the airbag and belt tensioner worked on the basis of a shared sensor signal.
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S-Class Saloon, restraint systems - W/V 126
In 1981, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class of the W 126 model range is the first automobile with a driver air bag and belt tensioners for the driver and the front-seat passenger. As demonstrated in this photo, Mercedes-Benz has always considered the air bag as a supplement to the safety belt.
83F131
Airbag
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