An active multicontour seat can change its shape while the car is moving. Air chambers adjust the support around the occupant, and the backrest’s side bolsters vary their pressure to provide lateral support as the driving situation changes. The same pneumatic seat hardware also has a separate role in PRE-SAFE occupant preparation.
The original W212 E-Class and C218 CLS offered active multicontour front-seat packages. Their period manuals distinguish three functions that are easy to group together under one luxury-seat name. Sources
Dynamic support is not massage
The adjustable air chambers let the occupant tailor the seat contour. With the dynamic function active, the backrest sides then adapt automatically to the driving situation, providing changing lateral support rather than a permanently tight bucket-seat shape.
Both original-generation manuals describe two dynamic settings: a gentler level with slower pressure build-up, and a stronger level with faster pressure build-up in the backrest side bolsters. The occupant can therefore choose how pronounced the changing support feels. Sources
PULSE massage is a separate function. Its pneumatic action in the lumbar region is intended to relieve muscle tension; it is not the dynamic cornering response or a PRE-SAFE trigger. Sources
PRE-SAFE uses pressure for a different purpose
When PRE-SAFE recognises certain hazardous situations, the documented W212 and C218 systems increase pressure in the seat-cushion side bolsters and backrest side bolsters on cars fitted with multicontour or active multicontour seats. This tightens the support around the occupant as part of the car’s anticipatory protection measures.
If the danger passes without an accident, the pressure is reduced again. This is a reversible preparation step, distinct from the dynamic backrest response during ordinary driving. The manuals also include ordinary multicontour seats in this PRE-SAFE action: having a PRE-SAFE pressure response does not itself mean the seat has the active dynamic function. Sources
Hong Kong applications
W212: an original saloon option
Contemporary Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong launch material, preserved by 28car, explicitly lists the active pneumatic seat package as optional in its original W212 saloon section. It explains that the backrest changes air pressure and volume according to steering angle, lateral acceleration and vehicle speed, giving the driver and front passenger more lateral support. Sources
C218: equipment reported on a local test car
A 22 July 2011 Hong Kong test of the pre-facelift CLS350 BlueEFFICIENCY describes adjustable air cushions that supported the occupant’s sides while driving. This records dynamic pneumatic support on that particular local test car; the period manufacturer brochure identifies the active multicontour package as an option. Sources
Sources
- Daimler AG, E-Class Saloon, international brochure, 2009, printed p. 53 / PDF p. 55: optional active multicontour front-seat package, adjustable air chambers, dynamic support and separate massage function. Manufacturer-authored brochure preserved by an independent archive.
- Mercedes-Benz, W212 Owner’s Manual, document 2125844781Z102, printed pp. 42–43, 80–81 / PDF pp. 45–46, 83–84: PRE-SAFE pressure increase/release, two dynamic levels and PULSE massage. German-market operating documentation, including optional equipment.
- 28car, 全新平治 E 系列豪華房車及轎車新車發布會及派對, original saloon section before the price list: Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong-attributed launch material identifying the seat package as optional and describing its dynamic inputs; no separate reliable publication date shown.
- Mercedes-Benz, The CLS-Class, period English brochure, printed p. 57 / PDF p. 59: optional active multicontour seat package. Manufacturer-authored brochure preserved by Ragtop; not a Hong Kong order guide.
- Mercedes-Benz, C218 Owner’s Manual, document 2185840281Z102, printed pp. 40, 88 / PDF pp. 43, 91: PRE-SAFE pressure action, dynamic settings and separate massage function. German-market operating documentation, including optional equipment.
- Oriental Daily, 林健森, 為藍天慳油 Mercedes Benz CLS350 BlueEFFICIENCY, 22 July 2011, “獨立座椅．舒適”: pneumatic support reported on a Hong Kong CLS350 test car.