Looking at the pics again, the Saturn's safety structure completely failed.

In fact, its frame / unibody structure buckled up in the middle. The occupants simply had no chance.

In the Mercedes, the front end accordianed up to the firewall, but the "safety cage" was intact. Amazing that the passengers in the Mercedes walked away with only minor injuries. Another great example of the kind of engineering that makes our cars safe.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".