For Mercedes-Benz, the dream of an all-wheel drive vehicle was present from the beginning. Paul Daimler first conceived of an AWD automobile in 1903, and the first AWD car for everyday use was built a mere four years later. More than 100 years later, at least a dozen Mercedes-Benz vehicles available in the US now feature 4MATIC® – a truly intelligent all-wheel drive system. Let’s talk about how it works.
How does Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC® all-wheel drive work?
4MATIC® is a lightweight system that automatically sends power to all four wheels of your vehicle via a center differential. The mark of an excellent all-wheel drive system is that you don’t notice when it’s working. Driving along normally, 4MATIC® will distribute the engine’s torque equally to each wheel. This gives you the agile responsiveness you’re used to from a Mercedes-Benz.
Driving normally isn’t the only way you drive, though. When you accelerate, the weight of your vehicle shifts to the rear wheels. When braking, the car’s weight shifts forward. When cornering, weight is pushed to the outside. All of these situations make different wheels work harder. 4MATIC® responds accordingly, making sure the wheels that need the most torque receive it when they need it.
The system can also keep you safe. 4MATIC® involves software in addition to hardware. Mercedes-Benz 4-wheel Electronic Traction System (4ETS®) makes use of the same sensors used by the car’s Antilock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Program (ESP®). It can detect the onset of wheelspin and responds by pulsing the brake on the slipping wheel while at the same time sending additional torque to the wheels that have traction. With 4ETS®, it’s possible to get your car moving in slippery conditions even if only one wheel has grip. Rain, sleet, or snow, you should feel at ease with 4MATIC®.
Which Mercedes-Benz vehicles is 4MATIC® available on?
The answer is most Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Nearly every passenger car in the lineup is available with 4MATIC® all-wheel drive, including coupes, sedans, crossovers, and SUVs.
The best way to determine if the model you want is available with 4MATIC® is to search our inventory. You can filter results based on drive type – simply select “AWD” and then narrow it down to the specific model. If you don’t find the model you want with all-wheel drive, call or visit us at Mercedes-Benz of Cary so we can discuss it further. We’re willing to go to great lengths to find the car you want for you.
If you have any other questions, get in touch. We’re looking forward to your next visit.