Standard equipment for the CLK Cabriolet includes two-stage front airbags plus head/thorax sidebags for the driver and front passenger. Sidebags for the rear are available as an option (standard for the CLK 63 AMG).
The airbags are deployed selectively, which means that in the event of a side-on collision, only the airbags on the impact side are activated. In a frontal collision, the front airbags are deployed in two stages, depending on the severity of the impact.
If the front passenger seat is empty, the seat occupancy sensor prevents the front airbag and head/thorax sidebag on the front passenger side from deploying.