The Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC Explained

From a menacing winter storm to a challenging corner, 4MATIC all-wheel drive makes the most of available traction by precisely engaging all four wheels. More than letting all four tires do the work equally, 4MATIC features a number of advanced, and quick-thinking innovations to empower each wheel individually as conditions change. So, whether you're starting out on a slippery patch, encountering a sudden change in the weather, or even rounding a dry curve, 4MATIC helps you stay in control. 

4MATIC is far more than an all-wheel drive mechanism added to a two-wheel drive vehicle. It's fully integrated not just with the drivetrain but the many safety and driving assistance systems of a Mercedes-Benz. Under normal conditions, the compact, lightweight system channels the engine's torque to the front and rear wheels through a centre differential, for sporty balance and agile handling. When traction demands change, 4MATIC reacts instantly and expertly to maximise control. By sending power to the wheels that can use it best, it helps you feel a rewarding sense of confidence in any season.

The 4-wheel Electronic Traction System (4-ETS) is an innovation pioneered by Mercedes-Benz that helps send power to gripping wheels if other wheels slip. Using the same wheel-speed sensors as the Antilock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Program (ESP®), 4-ETS can detect the onset of wheelspin and rapidly pulse the brake at the slipping wheel. This sends torque back to the gripping wheel, which can apply the engine's power to the road. Working automatically on all four wheels, 4-ETS can help get you going even if only one wheel has grip.