Two prize winners of the AutomotiveINNOVATIONS Award 2017 come from Mercedes-Benz. The E-Class won the award of the most innovative model, while Mercedes-Benz was awarded the title of the most innovative premium brand in the trendsetting category of “Autonomous Driving and Safety”.
The E-Class could prevail over 184 other series vehicles as most innovative model, gaining 81 index points to be clearly ahead of the runner-up vehicle with 25 points. The award is primarily based on the great number of innovations, including best aerodynamics in the sector, the first congestion emergency braking function, the first Car-to-X danger warning, PRE-SAFE® sound that can prepare the hearing to an imminent accident as well as the most economical Diesel-powered car in the sector.
Mercedes-Benz also clearly wins the category “Autonomous Driving & Safety” with 69 index points for 22 innovations. Individual innovations that earned a particularly high rating are the Active Braking Assist with congestion emergency braking function, Car-to-X communication, DRIVE PILOT (allows partly automated driving), Active Lane Changing Assist, Remote Park Pilot and the development of the Mercedes-Benz GLC F-CELL as plug-in fuel cell vehicle in the E-Class.
The basis for decisions on the AutomotiveINNOVATIONS Award is provided by a study drawing on the innovation database of the Center of Automotive Management (CAM) in Bergisch Gladbach. For the ninth year in succession, the automotive innovations of 18 global automobile groups comprising 52 brands have been systematically surveyed and assessed according to quantitative and qualitative criteria. Innovations are defined as new developments which offer tangible additional customer benefits. The innovations must be already available or they must at least have been presented in developed prototypes.
