DID you know that most Mercedes-Benz vehicles on sale today come with off road driving technology? We are not talking about SUVs and Crossovers like the popular GLC and GLA. Yes, even the hot hatchbacks and sleek sedans like the A-Class and E-Class models have all wheel drive technology. Well, not all, but quite a number are in showrooms around the country. For most buyers it is an automatic acceptance even if they never take their Mercedes-Benz from the tarmac to the dirt track or even to their Durian farm.
Its Called 4MATIC
If you live and drive in the city, then 4MATIC is really not that necessary, but Malaysians are easily taken by this drive option at showroom level and end up paying for this great engineering that they might never use. Well, if you drive fast on wet roads, 4MATIC will provide much better stability and increase your safety. However, you should not be driving fast when the road is wet.
Remember, all four-wheel drive engineering in any vehicle puts a dent in fuel economy due to its added weight and increased purchase price - meaning higher monthly repayments.
Initially, the design of the four-wheel drive system was created in 1903 by Paul Daimler himself, the son of a German engineer, designer and industrialist.
The first all-wheel-drive production car appeared four years later and was named Daimler Dernberg-Wagen. This creation had, in addition to all-wheel drive and all-wheel drive completely, thus marking an important milestone in development.
What does 4MATIC mean on Mercedes-Benz?
4MATIC is the Mercedes terminology for its four-wheel drive system, featured on some of Mercedes-Benz's car models. Put simply, it is the name given to Mercedes four-wheel drive or Mercedes all-wheel drive cars.
4MATIC: How it works
Mercedes 4MATIC technology gives drivers a greater sense of security, as the system is able to transfer power to wheels which may slip or start to lose traction in adverse weather conditions or specific road surfaces. 4MATIC sends the car's engine power to all four wheels, rather than the rear or front wheels only.
4MATIC is an intelligent system that works in conjunction with other state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz safety features to adjust itself automatically depending on the road surface or weather conditions without any driver input. 4MATIC works alongside other safety features such as:
- ABS (Antilock Braking System)
- 4-ETS (4-wheel Electronic Traction System)
- ESP® (Electronic Stability Program)
The 4MATIC 4-wheel drive system is powered, along with the mentioned safety features by either a 7 or 9 speed automatic gearbox which manages the demands of each wheel on the Mercedes 4WD vehicle.
Advantages of 4MATIC
4MATIC is an all-wheel/four-wheel drive system and therefore is useful in a number of ways. Enhanced stability is a common advantage, as all-wheels are being used to power the Mercedes. This enables a greater sense of composure in harsh weather such as rain, and will inevitably mean less chance of becoming stuck in tricky situations caused again by adverse weather conditions.
Is 4MATIC always on?
Yes, 4MATIC is a permanent all-wheel drive system, which features on a variety of models within the current Mercedes-Benz range.
Most notably, Mercedes SUV models such as the G-Class range feature 4MATIC technology as standard, whereas other models only feature 4MATIC in the range-topping versions.
So, what Mercedes models feature 4MATIC?
Model ranges which include 4MATIC are:
A-Class
B-Class
C-Class including coupe, saloon, estate and CLA
E-Class saloon
G-Class including GLA, GLC, GLC Coupe, GLE, GLE Coupe and GLS
So, next time you test drive a new Mercedes-Benz vehicle, check to see if you really need 4Matic and how much less you need to pay for not having this technology. – The Vibes, October 21, 2020
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