Permanent all-wheel-drive is available as an optional extra; it makes it possible to drive off and accelerate powerfully even on poor road surfaces or on wet, icy or snowy road surfaces. Since 4MATIC is constantly active, the system does not require any reaction time in order to intervene spontaneously. The all-wheel drive system is supported by the ESPĀ® Electronic Stability Program as well as by the 4ETS Electronic Traction System, which applies the brakes in a targeted manner on wheels that are about to spin, while directing the drive torque automatically to the wheels with good traction.
Apart from this, 4MATIC makes conventional differentials superfluous: the automatic braking impulses improve pulling-away behaviour on low-grip surfaces and improve stability during critical driving manoeuvres.
4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive is available in conjunction with 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission and V6 and V8 engines (E 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, E 350 and E 500).