What does Mercedes-Benz's 4matic mean?
2 Answers
Mercedes-Benz's 4Matic is a full-time four-wheel drive system, with its core technology being the 4ETS differential limiting technology. 4ETS utilizes the automatic braking force distribution function of ABS to achieve differential limiting. Development of Mercedes-Benz 4Matic all-wheel drive system: The first-generation 4MATIC used lockable center and rear axle differentials. The center differential contained two sets of clutches, with each electronically controlled clutch operating independently to achieve various drive modes. The current Mercedes 4MATIC system employs open differentials at the front, center, and rear. The center/rear differentials feature a lockable multi-plate clutch structure, functionally serving the role of traditional differential locks. With the assistance of four-channel ABS, torque can be distributed to each wheel, maximizing driving safety and enabling strong off-road capabilities. Characteristics of Mercedes 4Matic all-wheel drive system: The 4Matic system is designed to be compact and lightweight while delivering optimized friction performance, showing significant advantages compared to other all-wheel drive systems. It also offers improvements in weight, fuel economy, comfort, and passive safety.
Mercedes' 4MATIC is their intelligent four-wheel drive system, simply put, it automatically distributes power to all four wheels while driving to maintain vehicle stability and prevent skidding. When researching automotive technology, I found that it uses sensors to detect wheel slip and quickly adjusts the traction between the front and rear axles. For example, when driving on slippery roads or off-road, it intervenes promptly to prevent skidding. Early versions were mechanical, but now they've been upgraded to electronic control for greater precision, suitable for various Mercedes models like SUVs or sedans. The advantage lies in improved handling and safety, though the downside is slightly higher fuel consumption. Overall, the design is quite clever, representing Mercedes' innovation. It's recommended to check the specific model's configuration, as performance varies slightly between different versions.
