MB Four-Wheel Drive Offensive Across Five Model Ranges

MB G-Class

Soon to offer 32 passenger cars with full-time four-wheel drive

Press Release

Mercedes-Benz soon to offer 32 passenger cars with full-time four-wheel drive
4MATIC models for the first time in the C- and S-Classes
4MATIC models for the new E-Class from autumn 2003
G-Class: unit sales increase by 46 percent
Substantial growth in market for four-wheel drive cars and off-road vehicles

In the fast-growing world market for four-wheel drive vehicles Mercedes-Benz is currently, at the start of 2003, fielding a total of 27 four-wheel drive models. Following the recent 4MATIC offensive, which attracted much attention, it is now establishing itself among the leaders in the vehicle registration statistics for four-wheel drive cars and off-road vehicles. In autumn 2003 the Stuttgart brand will add three 4MATIC models from the new E-Class, each in a Saloon and an Estate version, to its extensive and attractive four-wheel drive range, taking the total number of four-wheel drive Mercedes models to 32, spread across five model series. Thus Mercedes-Benz is mounting a strong onslaught in the growth market for four-wheel drive cars and off-road vehicles. In the luxury saloon segment, every tenth new vehicle bought on the world market in 2002 was a four-wheel drive model, up from seven per cent in 1999. In the C-Class segment, the number of four-wheel drive models sold increased from four to nine per cent between 1999 and 2002. Fast growth in world SUV market The growth rates in the "sports utility vehicle" (SUV) segment are even higher. In the USA alone, the market volume in the Mercedes-Benz M-Class segment increased by almost 40 per cent between 1998 and 2001, to around 610,000 vehicles annually. The growth in Western Europe (excluding Germany) over the same period was almost 43 per cent, with the German market recording 51 per cent. The M-Class, with a share of 37 per cent, is the market leader in Germany. In the small but select G-Class segment too, Mercedes-Benz sales are on an uptrend. In 2002, this classic off-road vehicle enjoyed record sales yet again with sales rising to nearly 8800 units - an increase of 46 per cent compared with 2001. In the USA, demand for the G-Class has risen significantly since its launch in November 2001; to date, a total of 3900 of these robust off-roads units have been handed over to their new owners. The United States is the world's largest market for four-wheel drive vehicles. In the boom year 2000, Mercedes-Benz sold some 66 per cent of its four-wheel drive E-Class Saloons and Estates (210 model series) in the USA. The second largest market, which accounted for eleven percent of total 4MATIC production in the E-Class, was Germany. Switzerland and Canada, which accounted for six and seven per cent, respectively, of E-Class 4MATIC production, were further important markets. 4MATIC in partnership with ESP???????????????????? Since autumn 2002, Mercedes-Benz has for the first time ever been offering 4MATIC full-time four-wheel drive for the C- and S-Classes too. The intelligent cooperation between 4MATIC, the standard-fitted Electronic Stability Program ESP???????????????????? and the 4ETS electronic traction control system allows the driver to cope safely and confidently in critical situations. In adverse weather conditions such as snow, ice or rain, and also during take-off, acceleration or operation on loose surfaces, the Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC models offer even better traction and dynamics. At the same time 4ETS ensures typical Mercedes standards of ride comfort. This is because it operates without conventional differential locks, which adversely affect the comfort and handling of other four-wheel drive cars. 4ETS applies controlled amounts of braking pressure to spinning wheels and simultaneously increases the amount of power sent to the wheels with good traction. In this way the electronic traction control system achieves the same effect as three differential locks. The full-time four-wheel drive system is combined with state-of the-art six- and eight-cylinder petrol engines. In the C-Class, the C 240 and C 320 Estates and Saloons are available with 4MATIC. In the S-Class, 4MATIC is available for the S 350, S 430 and S 500 Saloons. The six- and eight-cylinder models of the new E-Class (211 model series) will be available with 4MATIC from autumn 2003. 4ETS electronic traction control for M- and G-Classes The popular M-Class, which has been in production since 1997, uses a system which is similar to 4MATIC and geared to the special requirements of off-road operation. Here the transfer case of the 4ETS Electronic Traction System is equipped with two planetary gearsets which allow a special off-road ratio to be engaged. When the Low Range button on the instrument panel is pressed, the transfer case switches from the normal on-road ratio (1:1) to an off-road ratio (2.64:1), which allows the M-Class to make even better headway in difficult off-road terrain. In the M-Class too, the Electronic Stability Program ESP???????????????????? is standard specification on all models. The high-performance traction and stability systems featured on the Mercedes-Benz G-Class are unique worldwide in this combination. In addition to the 4ETS Electronic Traction System, which improves traction in slippery conditions, for example on ice or in the wet, and the Electronic Stability Program ESP????????????????????, which improves stability in critical situations, it also features three differential locks which can be selected at the press of a button and which equalise the torque at the different wheels in difficult terrain. Thus the automatically controlled ESP???????????????????? and 4ETS systems maximise traction and stability whether on the road or in difficult terrain, while the driver-controlled 100% full-locking differentials provide extra assistance when the off-road going gets particularly tough. At a Glance: