DISTRONIC PLUS proximity control (optional)[1] DISTRONIC PLUS proximity control helps the driver to maintain a specified (timed) distance from the vehicle ahead when travelling at speeds of 0 to 200 km/h.
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Adaptive brake lights, flashing In emergency or panic braking, specific criteria such as brake pressure or road speed trigger the activation of the adaptive brake lights. When activated, the brake lights flash to give drivers behind even better warning of the risk of a rear-end collision.
Studies have shown that drivers' brake-activation response times are shortened by up to 0.2 seconds when emergency braking is indicated by a flashing red warning signal instead of conventional brake lights. At a speed of 80 km/h this translates into a stopping distance shortened by about 4.40 metres. The brake lamps flash at a frequency of about 3 Hertz (if equipped with incandescent bulbs) or about 5 Hertz (if equipped with LEDs). This frequency range has proved itself to be especially effective in tests.
As soon as the vehicle travels at less than 10 km/h or has come to a stop, or if Brake Assist is no longer active and the vehicle deceleration rate drops below 6.5 m/s² for 150 milliseconds the brake lamps will light up steady again.
The adaptive brake lights are triggered when:
- the initial speed is more than 50 km/h, BAS Brake Assist has detected an emergency stop situation or the braking pressure is more than 75 percent of maximum.
- As soon as the vehicle comes to a stop the warning flashing light is automatically activated for good measure, if the speed at the start of the brake application was higher than 70 km/h.

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Active Parking Assist, including PARKTRONIC (optional) Active Parking Assist makes a major contribution to safe and comfortable driving. It helps the driver to find a suitable parking space - either parallel on a road or at 90 degrees into a car park space - and helps him to park by actively steering the vehicle. The integrated PARKTRONIC can warn drivers if there are hidden obstacles in front of the car or behind. Active Parking Assist uses two ultrasound sensors in the front bumper to identify suitable parking spaces when the vehicle is travelling at a speed of up to 35 km/h.
The automatic parking space search function is indicated by a "P" symbol in the instrument cluster. If Active Parking Assist has found a parking space, an arrow appears next to the "P". By default, Active Parking Assist searches for parking spaces on the right-hand side of the road. If the indicator on the driver's side is active, parking spaces on the left-hand side are also detected
The driver starts the parking manoeuvring process by stopping ahead of the indicated parking space, selecting reverse and confirming the prompt which appears in the instrument cluster. Active Parking Assist then takes over the steering at up to 10 km/h. The driver only has to operate the clutch (in vehicles with manual transmission) and the accelerator and brake. The parking manoeuvre is completed in a maximum of 5 moves. The final parking move is indicated by the message "Parking Assist complete" in the display. This message is accompanied by an acoustic signal.< PARKTRONIC gives visible and audible signals to warn of obstacles it detects in front of the vehicle and behind it. It is active up to a speed of about 16 km/h.

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The ATTENTION ASSIST function is particularly helpful on long journeys and when driving at night; the system warns the driver if it detects signs of failing attention and increasing weariness. This driving assistance system can warn the driver when it identifies typical signs of fatigue, which in turn improves handling safety.
ATTENTION ASSIST continuously analyses driving behaviour and steering movements. If the system detects certain steering patterns that frequently accompany drowsiness, it warns the driver visually by displaying the "coffee cup" symbol in the instrument cluster at the same time as emitting audible signals. ATTENTION ASSIST can be activated and deactivated in the main menu of the instrument cluster under "Assistance systems". When switched on, it is active at speeds between 80 and 180 km/h.
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Bi-xenon headlamps (optional) The bi-xenon headlamps are a further development of the well-known xenon headlamps, offering xenon technology for both low and high-beam. LED technology is used both for the daytime running lamps integrated in the headlamps and for the bicolour tail lamps.
- Enhancing safety: the bi-xenon headlamps provide outstanding brightness values in comparison with conventional headlamps. The main-beam headlamps have a markedly larger light range and provide clearer and wider illumination of the road surface. The automatic headlamp range adjustment feature ensures oncoming traffic is not dazzled.
- Thinking ahead: xenon bulbs and LEDs have a long operating life. The headlamps remain clean at all times thanks to the intergral headlamp cleaning system.
- Shows character: The appointments, which have been carefully matched to each other, give the new CLA a particularly striking light design.
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ADAPTIVE BRAKE system with HOLD function, brake drying function and Hill-Start Assist The standard ADAPTIVE BRAKE system improves driving comfort and safety. On the one hand it helps with braking in critical situations - within the limits of physics - using the basic ABS anti-lock braking system function; on the other, convenience functions support the driver in day-to-day driving situations.
- Supporting HOLD function: the HOLD function, which is activated by briefly depressing the brake pedal, prevents unintentional rolling when stopped at a traffic light or in stop-and-go traffic
- Additional help: the Hill-Start Assist function prevents the vehicle from rolling back unexpectedly on inclines when moving from the brake to the accelerator pedal
- For an even quicker response: With the "Priming" option, the brake linings on the brake discs are primed as soon as the driver takes his foot off the accelerator quickly.
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COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST collision warning including Adaptive Brake Assist Too small of a gap between vehicles is the main cause of severe accidents. The newly developed radar-based collision warning system COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST can improve safety and ride comfort by warning drivers when the gap to preceding vehicles is too small and can support the driver’s braking when it detects danger.
When travelling at speeds of more than 7 km/h, the system can recognise insufficient gaps between the vehicle and vehicles ahead. When the system detects the danger of a rear-end collision it can issue a visual and acoustic warning to the driver.
If the system detects a danger and the driver applies the brakes at the same time, Adaptive Brake Assist can intervene for good measure: It then provides precisely the right amount of brake pressure that is needed ideally to avoid an impending collision. COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST is an innovative component of the integral safety concept from Mercedes-Benz.
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Electronic Stability Program ESP® In critical situations, the Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) can help to stabilise the vehicle by applying a braking force to individual wheels, and adjusting engine performance.
If the ESP® system detects a critical situation, it applies the brakes systematically to one or more wheels according to the situation. Should the system consider it necessary, it will also make an automatic adjustment to engine torque. In this way ESP® helps the driver to stabilise the vehicle within the laws of physics – particularly when cornering and during sudden evasive manoeuvres.
- Central feature: the yaw-rate sensor continuously monitors vehicle movement around its vertical axis and the ESP® system compares the actual values measured with the optimum desired value, based on the driver's steering movements and the vehicle's speed. The instant the vehicle deviates from the ideal line, ESP® intervenes by working to counteract any swerving movements as they occur.
- The right engine output at all times: the integral acceleration skid control (ASR) function also controls traction by intervening in the engine management so as to reduce engine power output to prevent the wheels from spinning.
- Enhanced safety: ABS as an integral component of ESP® helps to prevent the wheels from locking and to maintain their steering function.
- Additional components: ESP® rounds off the functions of the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and acceleration skid control (ASR) to help with driving stability.
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-The headlamp assist system reduces the strain on the driver by automatically switching on low-beam headlamps, tail lamps and number plate illumination when it gets dark outside. The assistance system performs this task even when it’s raining or snowing via a signal from the rain sensor.
The Headlamp Assist system uses a light sensor to measure the light level of the surroundings. If light levels fall below a certain level, low-beam headlamps are switched on. If the light intensity of the surroundings rises again, the low-beam headlamps are switched off again. The system ensures the necessary level of illumination for the vehicle at all times, contributes towards handling safety – in particular under rapidly-changing light conditions (e.g. driving into a tunnel or multi-storey car park) – and enhances the driver’s comfort.
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Intelligent Light System (optional) The Intelligent Light System – as an active component of the safety concept – ensures the best possible visibility in all weather conditions and the most diverse traffic situations. With oncoming traffic, illuminated road users, on bends, in fog or on free stretches of road, the system adapts to the situation and adjusts the characteristics of the light individually to that situation.
- Bringing light to the darkness: in the "country light" mode the light from the low-beam headlamps is distributed such that the edge of the carriageway is significantly better illuminated than with conventional headlamps.
- Increasing dynamically: the motorway mode is automatically activated in two steps: from 90 km/h the system boosts the power of the bi-xenon lamps. From 110 km/h the setting of the headlamp on the inside of the traffic lane also changes to illuminate the entire width of the lane uniformly for a distance of up to around 120 metres.
- Enhancing safety: with the expanded fog lamp the system improves the visibility when fog is present. The left bi-xenon headlamp tilts outwards and the light cone is simultaneously lowered downwards. This light function is automatically activated as soon as the rear fog lamp is switched on and the vehicle is not travelling faster than 70 km/h.
- Following every bend: The active light function follows the driver's steering angle: sensor data on the steering angle, yaw rate and vehicle speed allow the bi-xenon headlamps to pivot to the side in fractions of a second as soon as the vehicle starts to corner. With the cornering light function the cornering lamps automatically switch on when the driver activates the indicator or turns the steering wheel.
- Extended vision without having to push a button: The Adaptive Highbeam Assist provides the best possible low-beam headlamp range. This makes it possible to see pedestrians, cyclists or obstacles at an earlier stage than with conventional low-beam headlamps. A camera is used to control headlamp range adjustment and the main beams in such a way that the road receives the best possible illumination in line with the current driving scenario and the road users ahead If the system registers oncoming vehicles or vehicles ahead, it continuously adjusts the beam range to the distance so that the cone of light ends before it meets these vehicles. The high beam automatically switches on when no other road users are detected. A special feature is the gentle transition from one type of light to the other without an abrupt change in intensity
- Enhancing the own visibility: The LED daytime driving lights are integrated into the headlamps and make it easier for other road users to spot the vehicle; the integral headlamp cleaning system minimises dirt build-up on the lights. Additionally, the position light at the front as well as the bicolour tail lamps, brake lamp, indicators, reversing light and the rear fog lamp all use LED technology.

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Reversing camera (optional) The reversing camera is switched on automatically when reverse gear is engaged. It helps the driver to reverse into parking spaces, both parallel spaces or at 90 degrees. Static and dynamic guide lines show the driver the steering angle and distance. The reversing camera is built into the tailgate handle and monitors the area directly behind the vehicle.
Through a new look with digital image transfer and additional electronic zoom functions, an optimum image is ensured in all driving situations. When manoeuvring, the driver can select the "back-in" mode, in which dynamic guide lines indicate the relevant path of the vehicle.
If the vehicle is fitted with a trailer coupling, a further mode is made available. The driver is initially assisted, in "Back-in" mode, in backing up towards the drawbar properly aligned through the marking of the middle of the axle. Once he is close to the trailer, "Zoom mode" enables him to align the vehicle with absolute precision. The driver is helped by a dynamic guide line which shows the path of the trailer coupling at the every steering angle.

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Lane Keeping Assist (optional) The Lane Keeping Assist makes a significant contribution to road traffic safety. It can warn the driver by means of a discreet vibration of the steering-wheel if the vehicle unintentionally leaves its lane, drifting across lane markings that have been registered by the system. If the turn indicator is actuated beforehand or the steering wheel is clearly turned, the system assumes that the lane change is intentional and does not emit a warning.
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Blind Spot Assist (optional) Blind Spot Assist helps the driver to avoid potentially critical situations by monitoring the areas to the left and right of the vehicle when changing lanes. If the system detects another vehicle within the monitoring range, a hazard warning triangle lights up in the corresponding exterior mirror. An additional audible warning sounds if the driver now sets the turn indicator to indicate he intends to change lane.
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